Bishop Larry Silva will preside at a special Mass at 6 p.m. on Feb. 11, celebrating World Day of the Sick at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. He and about seven participating priests will administer the anointing of the sick to those attending who are seriously ill.
World Sick Day is marked each year on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Marian apparitions to Bernadette Soubirous in the grotto in Lourdes, France.
To mark the anniversary, Pope Benedict XVI has authorized a special plenary indulgence which Catholics can receive by taking part in any public or private devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes.
An indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment due for sins committed. A plenary indulgence is the remission of all punishment and can also be applied to souls in purgatory.
Pilgrims visiting the Massabielle grotto, where Mary appeared to St. Bernadette, can receive the indulgence from Dec. 8, 2007, until Dec. 8, 2008.
Pilgrims who visit any public sanctuary, shrine or other worthy place dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes may receive the indulgence Feb. 2-11.
To obtain the special indulgence one must fulfill the normal requirements set by the church for all plenary indulgences.