The Feast of St. Barnabas
My dear People of God,
Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has named this the Year of St. Paul, to begin on the evening of Saturday, June 28, 2008 and to end on the Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul, June 29, 2009. His Holiness wishes us to focus our attention on the life and writings of this great "Apostle to the Gentiles." In so doing we can learn a great deal about Christ, His Church, and the mission to spread the Gospel, commonly called evangelization. To assist us all in this Pauline Year, I am announcing for the Diocese of Lake Charles a number of observances.
First, I have requested that all parishes offer to their parishioners Bible Classes in Advent and Lent during the Year of St. Paul. The topic of these Bible Classes will be the teaching of St. Paul as found particularly in his letters and the Acts of the Apostles. I will also teach the same in my monthly Bible Classes. We anticipate that this will open up for us as Catholics a new appreciation for reading the Sacred Scripture in context. As Pope Benedict XVI so eloquently describes it in his book Jesus of Nazareth, "The People of God—the Church—is the living subject of Scripture; it is in the Church that the words of the Bible are always in the present."
Second, in keeping with the spiritual treasures entrusted to the Church by Our Lord Jesus Christ himself, Pope Benedict XVI is granting a Plenary Indulgence to those who participate in this Year of St. Paul. A Plenary Indulgence is a celebration of the abundant Grace of Jesus Christ in His Church. In the words of the official decree from Rome, an indulgence renews and reinforces the "intentions of supernatural salvation" in the "faithful for their sanctification." The Plenary Indulgence is first granted to those who make pilgrimage to the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome. It is also extended to the local Church.
In the Diocese of Lake Charles, I have designated the Church of St. Paul in Elton as our pilgrimage site. Founded in 1913, this Church is the only parish in our diocese named for the great apostle. The Plenary Indulgence from temporal punishment due to sin is granted to all who visit there and who are truly repentant and have received absolution in the Sacrament of Penance and participated in Holy Communion, as well as have offered prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father. The days of pilgrimage to the Church of St. Paul in Elton are the following: June 29 of both 2008 and 2009; the Anniversary of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, November 18, 2008; the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, January 25, 2009; the feast day of St. Timothy and St. Titus, January 26, 2009; the anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Lake Charles, April 25, 2009; the feast day of St. Barnabas, June 11, 2009. This same indulgence is extended to our sick and homebound or those who for some important reason cannot make pilgrimage and have fulfilled the same conditions of sacramental absolution, Eucharistic participation, and prayers for the Holy Father.
Third, I also encourage on these days parish pilgrimages, days of recollection, and Eucharistic devotion in our own parishes. In this way, may the honor we give St. Paul assist us in the spiritual life and encourage us to greater charity and good works.
I pray that this Year of St. Paul bears much fruit. Three important subjects come to mind: Sacred Scripture, the Church, and the Eucharist. May it help increase our knowledge and love of the Sacred Scripture. May we come to love more deeply the Body of Christ to which we belong, that St. Paul taught was the Church (Ephesians 1:15-23, Colossians 1:18, Romans 12:4-8) and that we celebrate in the Eucharist (I Corinthians 11:23-29). May true blessings flow from our prayer, reflection and charitable works.
With every best wish and beseeching the intercession of St. Paul, I remain
Devotedly yours in our Lord,
+Glen John Provost
Bishop of Lake Charles
