Year of Faith Pilgrimage Sites in South Dakota

In October of 2012, Pope Benedict XVI inaugurated a "Year of Faith" as an opportunity for Catholics and indeed all Christians to dedicate themselves to deepening their understanding of the gift of faith.

The Year of Faith is an opportunity to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him.  The pope has described this conversion as opening the “door of faith.”  The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year we are called to open it again, walk through it, and rediscover and renew our relationship with Christ.

As a part of this Year of Faith, dioceses throughout the world have designated places of pilgrimage and prayer to aide in this process of rediscovery.  In addition to the spiritual benefits of visiting these sites, a pilgrimage is also an excellent opportunity to discover the rich artistic and cultural heritage of a given area.  The Year of Faith comes to a close on 24 November 2013.

Below are a list and map of designated pilgrimage sites within the state of South Dakota: 

Diocese of Rapid City
Note: In addition to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the Diocese of Rapid City has designated particular pilgrimage churches for each month of the Year of Faith:

Timber Lake, Holy Cross Church (November 2012)
Wall, St. Patrick Church (November 2012)

Buffalo, St. Anthony Church (December 2012)
Winner, Immaculate Conception Church (December 2012)

Philip, Sacred Heart Church (January 2013)
Spearfish, St. Joseph Church (January 2013)

Eagle Butte, All Saints Church (February 2013)
Pine Ridge, Sacred Heart Church (February 2013)

Lower Brule, St. Mary Church (March 2013)
Lead, St. Patrick Church (March 2013)

Ft. Pierre, St. John the Evangelist Church (April 2013)
Sturgis, St. Francis of Assisi Church (April 2013)

Gregory, St. Joseph Church (May 2013)
McLaughlin, St. Bernard Church (May 2013)

Ft. Pierre, St. John the Evangelist Church (June 2013)
Martin, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church (June 2013)

Mission, St. Thomas the Apostle Church (July 2013)
Lemmon, St. Mary Church (July 2013)

St. Francis, St. Charles Borromeo Church (August 2013)
Faith, St. Joseph Church (August 2013)

Hot Springs, St. Anthony of Padua Church (September 2013)
Bison, Blessed Sacrament Church (September 2013)

Kadoka, Our Lady of Victory Church (October 2013)
Belle Fourche, St. Paul Church (October 2013)

Diocese of Sioux Falls
Aberdeen, St. Mary Church
Alexandria, St. Mary of Mercy Church 
Bryant, St. Mary Church  
Dante, Assumption Church 
Dell Rapids, St. Mary Church
Clear Lake, St. Mary Church 
Elkton, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church
Highmore, St. Mary Church
Lake Andes, St. Mary Church
Marion, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
Leola, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
Revillo, Annunciation Church
Salem, St. Mary Church
Sioux Falls, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Sioux Falls, St. Mary Church
Stickney, St. Mary Church
Stephan, Immaculate Conception Church
Watertown, Immaculate Conception Church
Waubay, Immaculate Conception Church
Wilmont, St. Mary Church


View Year of Faith Pilgrimage Sites in South Dakota in a larger map
 
If one wishes to obtain a plenary indulgence at a pilgrimage site, the pilgrim must be in the state of grace and have the intention of gaining the indulgence either for oneself or for a soul in Purgatory.  The pilgrim then must take part in some sacred function at the place or else pause for a few moments of prayer, concluding with the recitation of the Our Father and a Profession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed) and a request for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin or the patron saint of the location.  One also must say a prayer for the intentions of the Pope and receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist within eight days before, during, or after the pilgrimage.

In addition to the above mentioned pilgrimage sites, a pilgrim may visit the baptistery or other place where one was baptized and, while there, renew one's baptismal promises.