Indulgences

[saintwannab7]

In my history class we are about to get into the reformation and the Counter Reformation. I know that the selling of indulgences was not a good thing and now whenever anyone says something about indulgences, people think they are a bad thing. I do not know enough to really explain in a simple, understandable way when it comes up in a class setting. What are the different types of indulgences? I know there are different things that we can do to recieve indulgences and I would guess that there are stipulations, like being in a state of Grace or something such as that, but I really don't know. What about praying for the Pope? How do indulgences for that have justification for someone that is not satisfied with the authority of the Church. I really want to be able to tell people about this in a way that is understandable without them having to accept our faith (I want them to, but I don't know if that will happen.) Thanks so much

[Jake Huether]

I knew very little about indulgences until last year.

After reading several Saints lives, and understanding the Power and reality of the Body of Christ, it is quite easy to explain.

If I hit my thumb with a hammer, doesn't my whole body hurt!? Or if my wife gives me a back rub, is my whole body not relaxed!?

When one part of the body is injured it effects the entire body, and when one part of the body is relieved, the whole body rejoices!

And so it is with the Body of Christ, His Church.

This is one of the reasons for fasting and prayer. We offer up what we might have so that another member will attain it.

It is said that no prayer is wasted. But this is not only true for prayer, it is true for ALL works of mercy and all acts of virtue.

The Holy Martyers suffered much more than what would ever be required of them in Purgatory. They purged themselves and then some. But the "extra" Graces they merited didn't go to waste. They are stored in the infinite Treasury of the Church, the Body of Christ. What one member may lack is made up for from this treasury.

Ven. Anne Catherine Emmerich had mystical experiences where she found herself taking on the sickness of others. (when we talk about sickness here though it is sickness due to sin, not necessarily natural sickness). And as she got sicker, in proportion, they got better. She asked to take on the sickness of others so that they might have strength to get back on track.

And as the Church has the power to bind and loose, as Christ commanded, she has authorized certain days and certain deeds which will afford us the oportunity to benefit from Her Treasury of merit, stored up by the more apt members of the Body!

St. Francis certainly suffered much more than what was needed to free him from the stain of sin. His sheets were clean even before he died. And through his most charitable willingness to suffer, he stored up Grace and Love with which the other members of Christs body could benefit.

Indulgences isn't a man made tradition. It isn't something pulled from thin air. Indulgences is an affirmation of the reality of the Body of Christ.

We aren't some symbolic "body". We are a REAL Body! Mystical, but real.

[saintwannab7]

thanks!!! that makes a lot of sense and I am very exctied to be able to share that with my classmates!

[Jake Huether]

There are partial indulgences and plenary indulgences.

Partial indulgences grant us exemption from a part of the purgation from the stain of sin. In other words, from the Treasury of Graces that the Church has stored, she will grant part of what we need in order to clean our sheets. These usually require less effort to achieve than do the plenary indulgences. And the extent of the cleaning is in proportion to the extent of the deed. I think you are granted a partial indulgence, for example, for reading the Bible for 30 minutes. If you are in the state of venial sin, you are granted a partial for saying the Rosary. I may be wrong (there's probably a good list somewhere). Ah, here you go:

[url="http://www.catholicyouth.freeservers.com/jubilee/defin_indulg.htm"]http://www.catholicyouth.freeservers.com/j...efin_indulg.htm[/url]

But usually they are easily attained with a certain amount of devotion - and of course with an earnest desire to attain them.

Plenary Indulgences are a bit harder to attain. Makes sense since they bleach your sheets completely! Usually the condition is to have gone to confession, and recieved Jesus in the Eucharist, along with prayers for the intentions of the Pope. These are reserved for certain days and certain acts. I think a plenary is granted for saying the Rosary in a state of Grace, for example.


God bless and good luck.

Let us know what happens!

[Jake Huether]

And to clarify a bit.

Indulgences are granted not so much as a reward for doing something. Like if I give money to the poor in order to get our of Purgatory. The Church doesn't tell us, "do five push ups and well give you an indulgence". No! The requirements of attaining an indulgence always are geared to bringing us closer to Christ in love and in cherity. They are always in and of themselves good for our soul. I think it is a good way of training us so that we might do these deeds without the prospect of an indulgence. It is positive reinforcement. If we say a Rosary or make a particular devotion after going to confession and receiving the Eucharist in hopes of attaining an indulgence, I think that more people actually see how easy it is to do these things anyway. We don't need the promise of an indulgence then, but we do it for the Love of God!

Selling of Indulgences is WRONG. So is doing your "deed" simply to attain this favor.

Indulgences are help. It is granted to us as additional help. If we are in a state of Grace, having recieved the Sacraments of reconciliation and communion, and we are earnestly seaking to become a Saint, not just for now, but for always, then this merit is fitting. And the more we go to confession and recieve the Eucharist, the better shape our soul is in anyways - even without an indulgence! It weans us away from a life of sin.

[phatcatholic]

good stuff jake.........i'm putting ur posts in the "confession and penance" entry

[Jake Huether]

Thanks. Glory to God!

[Carrie]

This clarified alot for me as well. Thank you!

[phatcatholic]

hey, that's what we're here for

[Rebirth flame]

[quote name='Jake Huether' date='Apr 27 2004, 10:50 AM'] Plenary Indulgences are a bit harder to attain.  Makes sense since they bleach your sheets completely!  Usually the condition is to have gone to confession, and recieved Jesus in the Eucharist, along with prayers for the intentions of the Pope.  These are reserved for certain days and certain acts.  I think a plenary is granted for saying the Rosary in a state of Grace, for example. [/quote]
great post, jake!!! it is important to remember, also, that when you seek a plenary indulgence, and you might fail to obtain it (because you also must have no sin on your soul whatsoever [mortal or venial] to recieve a plenary indulgence, as well as the confession, recieving of the Body of Christ in the Eucharist, and the prayer for the intentions of the Church) you would recieve a partial indulgence for your "efforts" and desire to gain the plenary indulgence.

at least, i believe that's the case, correct me if i'm wrong...

reguardless, the Catholic Church ROCKS!!!!

Edited May 22, 2004 by Rebirth flame

[crusader1234]

Sometimes people are like "How can the pope be always right about salvation if he sold it?" and I always have to say it was the Bishops not the Pope.... haha I hate it when people automatically sohut out indulgences as if it some banner insult that just totally lets everyone know that Catholics are wrong.

Like Jake was saying, there are different types of Indulgences and different ways of geting them... none of this involves money (well unless you are flying to Rome to talk to the Pope for confession, in which case the plane ticket would cost quite a bit)