WHAT ARE INDULGENCES AND HOW TO ACQUIRE THEM

An Indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to those sins in which the guilt related to that sin has been forgiven. The faithful Catholic who is duly disposed of this temporal remission gains it only under certain prescribed conditions defined by the Catholic Church. The Church, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies these Indulgences with full authority, having the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.

In the Sacrament of Baptism, not only is the guilt of sin remitted but also all penalties attached to those sins.

In the Sacrament of Penance (Confession), the guilt of sin is removed as well as the eternal punishment due to mortal sin. However, Divine Justice necessitates that the temporal punishment remains with the requisite that it must be fulfilled either in the present life or in the world to come (i.e. in Purgatory).

As previously stated, the Church has the power to carry out the remission of any temporal punishment. This power was bestowed on to the Church by Christ.

Whenever the Church grants an Indulgence, she applies her treasure (the overabundant merits of Christ and the saints), for the remission of guilt. The Church is the administrator (not owner) of this treasure. She determines the amount and conditions for granting an Indulgence. She takes into account both God’s mercy and the requirements of Divine Justice.

Indulgences are possible due the communal effect also witnessed in sin (all sins committed affect the Mystical Body of Christ). Salvation has a communal dimension, too, and this is why we can pray for each other. The merits of Christ and the saints benefit us all due to our souls being closely united to Him in His Mystical Body.

To acquire an Indulgence, the sinner must comply with the requirements of a good confession, including completing the penance that the confessor imposes. Indulgences are extra-sacramental (i.e. not a sacrament) and it is necessary to receive the sacrament of penance first.

As previously stated, Indulgences can only remove the punishment of sin, and not the guilt attached to it. In order to remove this guilt it is necessary to make a good confession. No Pope or Council has ever granted Indulgences the power to erase guilt, as only a sacramental Confession can do this. Pope Clement V (1305-1314) condemned the practice of providing Indulgences that intended to absolve the guilt and punishment of sin (a culpa et a poena). Indeed, in the Council of Constance (1418), Pope Clement I revoked all Indulgences containing the formula “a culpa et a poena” (session XLII, n.14).

Many canonized saints have confirmed the doctrine of Indulgences. Recent examples include Pope St. Pius X and St. Padre Pio.

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Partial Indulgence:

- Having the intention of acquiring an Indulgence.

- Performing the deed or saying the prescribed prayer.

- Being in the state of grace.

Plenary Indulgence:

- Having the intention of acquiring an Indulgence.

- Sacramental Confession.

- Eucharistic Communion.

- Praying an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for the Pope’s intentions.

- Having no attachment to sin (not even venial sins).

- Visiting the site/observing that to which the Indulgence was granted.

A plenary Indulgence can only be acquired once a day (except at the time of death due to this allowing for another plenary Indulgence). In addition, to gain a plenary Indulgence, it is required to not having any attachment to sin, even venial sin. (If, however, due to attachment of sin, a soul cannot gain a plenary Indulgence, a partial Indulgence will be given.)

Moreover, though receiving Communion and praying for the Holy Father must be made on the same day the prayer or action takes place, Confession may be made eight days prior or after this occasion.

HOW TO ACQUIRE A PLENARY INDULGENCE

A plenary Indulgence, whether during a Holy Year or not, can be acquired by complying with the requirements already mentioned:

1. Having the intention of acquiring an Indulgence.

2. Sacramental Confession

Make a thorough confession either on the day or, as stated earlier, eight days prior or eight days after the event.

3. Eucharistic Communion

Receive Communion on the same day in which one wishes to acquire the Indulgence.

4. Praying for the Pope’s Intentions

An Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory Be must be offered up for the Pope’s intentions; these are:

-The exaltation of The Holy Church.

-The eradication of heresies

-The propagation of Catholic faith

-The conversion of sinners

-Peace and concord amongst Christian princes

-All other goods of Christian community

5. Removal of affection towards EVERY kind of sin, even venial and having the intention of avoiding sin.

In addition to the above, to acquire a Plenary Indulgence in a NORMAL year, one may perform one of the following deeds in substitution of Eucharistic Communion, complying with all the requirements previously stated:

a. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament that lasts at least half an hour.
b. Visiting a cemetery/praying for the faithful departed. This Indulgence can only be applied to the souls in Purgatory, from 1 November to 8 November.
c. Adoration of the Cross, on Good Friday during liturgical celebration.
d. In First Communions, to those who receive it and who attend them devotedly.
e. Participants of spiritual exercises that lasts three days at least.
f. Saying the Rosary in a Church or public oratory before the Blessed Sacrament, even if it is not exposed but reserved in the tabernacle, or to say it in family or in pious association.
g. Reading the Holy Bible for at least half an hour.
h. Praying the Way of the Cross in front of the stations, legitimately erected.

Or any other deed disposed by the Church and in force.

NOTE: The deed to be performed for obtaining a plenary Indulgence related to the visitation of a church or oratory consists in piously visiting these places and praying an Our Father and the Creed, unless otherwise stated. The reason for reciting the Our Father is to affirm the dignity, that we received in Baptism, of being God’s children, and the Creed (symbol of faith) is recited to affirm Catholic identity.

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Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2009/09/como-ganar-indulgencias-y-en-que.html Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

FIVE-STEPS NECESSARY FOR MAKING A GOOD CONFESSION

1) Examination of Conscience

An examination of conscience consists in making a review of the faults committed (i.e thoughts, words, deeds and omissions), principally the grave ones (mortal sins) since your last good confession. You can examine your life in the light of the Ten Commandments, the commandment of ‘love of neighbor’, the Precepts of the Church, the deadly sins and/or the duties of one’s state in life (i.e. family, occupation, etc.). A practical piece of advice is to examine one’s faults mainly in the light of the Ten Commandments. You can find examinations of conscience (click here) in missals, devotional books, manuals, etc. that are very useful in making a good confession.

2) Sorrow for sins committed (also known as ‘heart-felt sorrow’)

Upon finishing the examination of conscience, you should ask Our Lord to grant you the grace of experiencing a profound contrition of all the sins committed, especially for those mortal sins that have offended Him. Immediately after that you should make an act of sincere repentance. In order to do so, it is advisable to recite the “Act of Contrition” along with the following prayer/poem:

To Christ Crucified

My God, it does not move me to befriend Thee

that Thou hast promised heavenly salvation,

and terror of eternal condemnation

is not what moves my ceasing to offend Thee.

To see Thee moves me, Lord, as nails suspend Thee

upon the Cross, in great humiliation;

Thy wounded body shows Thy tribulation

as we to cruel disgrace and death do send Thee!

Thy love so moves me naught to prize above Thee

that were there not a Hell I yet would fear Thee

and were there not a Heaven I would love Thee.

Thou needst not give me more to have me love Thee,

for, had I not such hope of being near Thee,

I yet would love Thee just as now I love Thee.

Types of sorrow (repentance)

a) “Perfect contrition” consists of feeling a deep sorrow for sins committed, motivated by the love of God, and the realization that these sins offend Him. The sinner regrets having offended God and firmly resolves to sin no more. The grief that arises due to love to God, together with a firm determination to go to confession at the earliest opportunity, gives the sinner justification (i.e. where the sinner is free from the penalty of sin) and grants him sanctifying grace; however, he is obligated to confess his mortal sins to a priest as soon as possible (Luke, 7:47). Nevertheless, if death should overtake him, even before the sacramental confession takes place, he is saved. It is therefore advisable to recite an act of perfect contrition every day, just before going to bed. In addition, when a person’s sins are mortal, an act of perfect contrition never sanctions a person to receive Holy Communion without first going to confession (there is no obligation to confess venial sins in order to be able to receive Communion).

b) “Imperfect contrition” or ‘attrition’ is the sorrow that one feels due to fear of divine punishments (eternal or temporary) fairly deserved for our sins. This kind of sorrow is sufficient for remission of sin through Confession but not for obtaining divine grace without it. This means that, by itself, attrition does not wipe away sins but rather only after first confessing to a priest.

3) Firm Purpose of Amendment (not to sin again)

A purpose of amendment is a firm resolution of the sinner to not offend God anymore. This intent needs to be made before going to Confession. Jesus said to the sinner: “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11) and the sinner must make this purpose of amendment (i.e. ‘I don’t want to sin ever again’). If there is not a real purpose of amendment, the confession is deemed invalid.

Moreover, this purpose must be coupled with repentance (or heart-felt sorrow). It also has to be firm, effective and universal (specifically embracing all mortal sins). It must rise from true repentance and it can be achieved by awareness of all types of evil caused by sin.

It doesn’t necessarily mean that the sinner will never sin again, but it does signify that he is determined to do everything possible to avoid sinning. It’s not a matter of certainty but of determination not to fall again, with God’s grace. It’s about being sure of not wanting to sin from that moment on. This is similar to what happens when leaving the house: you don’t know if you’re going to trip over something, but you’re certain you don’t want to.

This purpose must not be only negative: not to do this, not to say that… We should also make positive purposes: pray more attentively, be nicer to everybody, to speak well of others, not to speak when angry, to be thankful, to watch only good TV shows, to speak to the person I don’t like, etc.

4) Confession (to list all committed sins to a priest)

Confession compels us to tell to the priest ALL mortal sins committed since our last good confession. Additionally, one must say the number of times a specific kind of mortal sin was committed and any aggravating factors (i.e. the circumstances that increase the gravity of a mortal sin); for example, stealing from a poor man is worse than stealing from a rich one. It is convenient to say venial sins, too, though the latter is not compulsory.

5) Satisfaction (To do penance)

The satisfaction is the penance imposed by the priest to the penitent in order to redress, make amends and give satisfaction for the debt contracted by offending God. There must be willingness to accept and fulfill the penance (however, if it can’t be done due to forgetfulness without fault of negligence, etc., the sacrament is still valid).

There are some sins where restitution is required, too. Thus, we must restore stolen money. Or if we have libeled someone, we need to tell the truth about that person in order to restore their honor. Restitution obliges as far as it’s really possible, so if someone has stolen but does not have the means to return what was stolen, this obligation remains in abeyance until he has the means, since nobody is expected to do the impossible. It is licit to make restitution without exposing ourselves as thieves or slanderers, provided we don’t lie or let someone else (an innocent person) take the blame for our sin. In many cases, it is a matter of exercising discretion and intelligence. If there is not a real intention of restoring what was stolen (to the extent of our ability), confession will be futile, due to it being an essential requirement for it to be valid.

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Lastly, it is important to bear in mind that it is God Himself who forgives our sins when we make a good confession. Christ left us this sacrament, which is a tangible sign of a real judgment. The priest, by the power received from Christ, becomes a judge. In that judgment, sins are withheld or forgiven. As an instrument of God, this judge is obliged (under pain of mortal sin and excommunication), to maintain an absolute silence about everything related to the confession. “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’” (John 20:21-23). Only heretical arrogance tries to bypass the tribunal established by God Himself for the forgiveness of sins, with those declaring the absurd and worthless claim of “confessing directly and only to God”. Unfortunately, many have been victims of this deceit. Let us pray much for those souls of good faith who have been drawn into such error so they can realize the deception.

You can reproduce this article provided you quote this site.

Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2012/03/cinco-pasos-que-se-requieren-para.html Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

Click here: Examination of Conscience

ARE YOU SUFFERING OR IN NEED OF CONSOLATION?

Listen to Jesus and talk to Him

It is not necessary, my child, to know much in order to please Me; all that is needed is that you love Me with great fervor. Speak with Me, like you would with your most intimate friends, like you would with your mother or brothers. 

Do you need to ask a favor on someone’s behalf? Tell Me his name. Could it be your parents, your brothers, or your friends? Tell Me what you would want Me to do at the present time for them. Ask for much, very much; do not hesitate to ask; I like generous hearts that forget themselves in order to alleviate the needs of others. Speak to Me then, with simplicity, of all the poor whom you would like to console; of the sick whom you see suffer; of those who have gone astray whom you wish to see on the right path again; of your friends who are far away and whom you would like to see at your side again. Talk to Me, but like a friend, trusting with all your heart. 

Remind Me that I have promised to hear every request that comes from the heart; and should not the plea and requesting favor for those whom your heart most especially loves come from your own heart?

And for you, do you need any graces? Make Me a list, if you wish, of all your needs and come read it in my presence. Tell Me frankly that you are proud, love sensuality and luxuries. Perhaps you are selfish, inconstant, and negligent. . . Then ask Me to come in help of the efforts, few or many, that you make to get rid of such miseries. Do not be embarrassed. Oh! My poor soul! There are many saints and pious souls who hold the highest rank in Heaven and that had the same faults! But they prayed with humility and, little by little, they were freed of their faults. Do not hesitate to ask for spiritual and corporal goods; good health, success in your works, business or studies. I can give you all that, and I will give you everything that is good for you, providing it will not hinder but help your sanctification. What can I do for you today? What do you need? If you only knew how much I desire to grant you these favors! Do you have a project on hand right now? Tell Me every detail. What worries you? What are you thinking of? What do you desire? What do you want Me to do for your brothers or sisters, your friends or superiors? What do you wish for them?

And for Me? Do you not feel a desire for my glory? Do you not wish you could do something good for your neighbors, your friends, those whom you love very much that have perhaps forgotten Me? Tell Me, what particular thing holds your attention today? What do you long for and with what means do you wish to attain it? Tell Me what went wrong with your projects, and I will tell you the cause of your failure. Do you not want to trust Me with something in your favor? My child, I am the owner of all hearts and I gently take them where it pleases Me without prejudice of their liberty. 

Are you feeling sad or in bad humor? Confide, confide in Me disconsolate soul, with all your unhappiness and with all its details. Who hurt you? Who hurt your pride? Who has despised you? Come to My heart, which has effective balm to cure all those wounds of yours. Tell Me everything. In the end, you will find, that because of Me, you can forgive and forget everything, and in return, I will bless and console you. Do you dread something painful? Is there in your soul a vague fear, which seems unreasonable, and yet torments you? Cast yourself in the arms of My loving providence. I am with you; here, you have Me by your side. I see and hear everything. Not for one moment will I abandon you.

Do you feel ignored by persons whom you loved, and have now forgotten you and gone from your side without the least motive? Pray for them and I will return them to your side, only if they are not an obstacle to your sanctification. Do you not perhaps have some good news you wish to share with Me? Tell Me, what consoled you or brought joy to your heart since the last visit we had yesterday? Perhaps you had a nice surprise; maybe an old grudge has disappeared or perhaps you received happy news, a letter, or a sign of love. Have you overcome a difficulty or a sudden predicament? It has all been My work and I have made it possible. Manifest your gratitude for everything and simply tell Me like a child would tell its father “Thank you, my Father, thank you.” Gratitude brings blessings because He who gives likes to be reciprocated. 

Do you have a promise to offer Me? You know, I can read what is deep in your heart. Man can be fooled very easily, but not God. Speak to me with all sincerity. Have you firmly resolved not to expose yourself to that occasion that causes you to sin, and deprive yourself of that object which has harmed you? To not continue reading that book which has excited your imagination? Or to discontinue the relationship with that person who has robbed your soul of peace? Will you be kind, amiable and considerate again towards the people whom you have seen as your enemies because they failed you? Now then, My child, return to your habitual occupation, to your workshops, to your family, to your studies, but do not forget the fifteen minutes of pleasing conversation the two of us have had here in the solitude of the sanctuary. Observe silence, modesty, concentration of thought, resignation, and charity towards your neighbor. Love and honor My Mother, who is also your Mother. Return tomorrow with a more loving and surrendering heart. Each day you will find in My heart new love, new blessings and new consolations.

(It is recommended to read this, preferably, before the tabernacle or when in need of talking with Jesus about our worries and hardships. The aforementioned text is known as “Fifteen Minutes with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament”.)

You can reproduce this article provided you quote this site.
Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2009/06/sufres-requieres-consuelo.html Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

BY THE ROSARY YOU CAN OBTAIN EVERYTHING

You can reproduce this article provided you quote this site.

Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2015/12/con-esta-arma-triunfaras.html Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.

QUOTES BY SAINTS FOR MEDITATION, PRACTICE AND ENJOYMENT

“The measure of love is to love without measure.” St. Augustine.

“God does not command the impossible, but in commanding he admonishes you to do what you can and to pray for what you cannot, and he gives his aid to enable you.”  St. Augustine.

“If you do not wish to suffer, do not love… But if you do not love why do you want to live?” St. Augustine.

“Holiness does not consist in saying beautiful things, it consists in having such willingness of heart that makes us humble and little in the arms of God, conscious of our nothingness and trusting in the goodness of our Heavenly Father.” St. Therese of Lisieux. 

“Do not intone praises to the Lord only with your voice but with your good works, too. If you sing only with your voice, you will have to stop eventually; sing with your life so you can sing forever. St. Augustine.

“For me prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned towards Heaven; it is a cry of recognition and love; embracing both trial and joy.” St. Therese of Lisieux.

“Remember that perfection consists of conforming our lives and actions totally to the sacred virtues of the Heart of Jesus, especially His patience, His meekness, His humility and His charity. As a result, our interior and exterior life becomes a living image of Him.” St. Mary Margaret Alacoque.

“A faithful Christian enlightened by the rays of God’s grace, must enlighten others with his words, actions and the light of good example.” St. Anthony of Padua.

“It is love what gives value to our actions; it is not with greatness or multiplicity how we please God, but with the amount of love with what we carried them out.” St. Francis of Sales.

“Know that you will probably gain more by praying fifteen minutes before the Blessed Sacrament than by all the other spiritual exercises of the day. Our Lord hears our prayers anywhere, but He has revealed to His servants that those who visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament will obtain a more abundant measure of grace.” St. Alphonsus Liguori.

“Know my daughter that my treasures are surrounded by thorns, you just have to determine yourself to endure the first stings and then everything will be transformed into sweetness.” Revelations of St. Brigid. 

“Be careful in preaching the truth in such a way that, if among the crowd there is a heretic, thy preaching to them be an example of charity and Christian moderation. Do not use harsh words, nor show contempt for their errors.” St. Ignatius Loyola.

“When we do not have love of God within ourselves, we are very poor. We become like a tree without flowers and fruits.” St. John Vianney.

“Let us always try to look at the virtues and good things we see in others, and mantle their defects with our great sins… to think of others as better than ourselves.” St. Teresa of Avila.

“As long as something temporal is the object of love, the fruit of charity is lost.” St. Clare of Assisi.

“Embrace the love of God, and by love embrace God.” Saint Augustine.

“Suffering does not exist when there is love, but even if it did, that same suffering is loved.” St. Augustine.

“He who attends the Holy Mass devotedly and perseveringly, shall not die in mortal sin.” St. Augustine.

“Let us give ourselves to Him! What are fifty or even one hundred years in comparison to an eternity? Sacrifice while we are in this exile, endless glory in Heaven. What is sacrifice and what is the cross but Heaven when Jesus Christ is in them?” Teresa of the Andes.

“Let us always try to live in the friendship of God.” John Bosco.

“The Eucharist and the Virgin Mary are the two columns that must sustain our lives.” St. John Bosco.

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“When we hear people talk of riches, honors and amusements of the world, let us remember that all things have an end, and let us then say: 'My God, I wish for You alone and nothing more.” St. Alphonsus Liguori.

“When you do a good action, have the intention of first pleasing God, and then of giving good example to your neighbor.” St. Alphonsus Liguori.

“The Blessed Virgin Mary obtains salvation for all who have recourse to her. Oh! If all sinners had recourse to her, who would ever be lost?... He who is protected by her will be saved; he who is not will be lost.” St. Alphonsus Liguori.

 “Make friends with the angels, who though invisible are always with you. Often invoke them, constantly praise them, and make good use of their help and assistance in all your temporal and spiritual affairs.” St. Francis of Sales.

“The greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary.” St. Francis of Sales.

“Go to the Madonna. Love her! Always say the Rosary. Say it well. Say it as often as you can! Be souls of prayer. Never tire of praying, it is what is essential. Prayer shakes the Heart of God, it obtains necessary graces!” Padre Pio.

“The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God. If you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.” Pope Saint Pius X. 

“Vocal prayer must be accompanied by reflection. A prayer in which a person is not aware of whom he is speaking to, what he is asking, who it is who is asking and of Whom, I don't call prayer, however much the lips may move.” St. Teresa of Avila.

“Those who give themselves to prayer should in a special manner have always a devotion to St. Joseph; for I know not how any man can think of the Queen of the angels, during the time that she suffered so much with the Infant Jesus, without giving thanks to St. Joseph for the services he rendered them then.” St. Teresa of Avila. 

You can reproduce this article provided you quote this site.

Source of information: Blog CATOLICIDAD http://www.catolicidad.com/2010/03/frases-de-santos-para-meditar-practicar.html Translated from Spanish by: Fabiola Lozano.