Indulgences?

[SaintGeorge]

Okay, first of all a thread on this kind of topic may get volatile if certain rules aren't set. Here are the rules, please follow them.

1. Only Catholics may post
2. No debate
3. No criticism

Now for my question. What are indulgences? What types are there? Who can give them and what can you do with them?

God bless you all.

 

[stray bullet]

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07783a.htm

-does a pretty good job of sorting out what is and more importantly, is NOT an indulgence, especially within the context of the complaints of the "Reformation".

 

[nyj]

What are indulgences?

Indulgences are acts which we can perform which remove the temporal punishment that committed sins carry with them. If we die with the temporal stain of sin on our souls, it is "burned away" in purgatory. If sin is wallowing in the mud, the temporal punishment is the dirt left on us after we stop wallowing. It must be washed away, so purgatory/indulgences are like a hot shower.

What types are there?

There are two types: Plenary and Partial.

Who can give them and what can you do with them?

The Church dispenses them by outlining to us how we may obtain them. There is a Handbook of Indulgences where all the indulgences granted by the Church are listed. Remember, one cannot "pull a fast on on God" so our obtaining indulgences is basically an "honor system".

When we obtain them, we may either have them apply to ourselves, or we may offer them up for the souls in purgatory.

 

[krstlros]

Okay, first of all a thread on this kind of topic may get volatile if certain rules aren't set. Here are the rules, please follow them.

1. Only Catholics may post
2. No debate
3. No criticism

Now for my question. What are indulgences? What types are there? Who can give them and what can you do with them?

God bless you all.

I got this out of a book I just finished reading, so I apologize for any typos I make while doing this.

From, "The Souls In Purgatory":
What is an Indulgence? Here is what the "Catechism Of The Catholic Church" has to say: "An indulgence is a remission before God of the temperal pnishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the failthful Christian who is dully disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfaction of Christ and the saints."

"An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temperal punishment due to sin." Indulgences may be applied to the living or the dead" (1471)

Everything concerning indulgences was revised by Pope Paul VI; the results can be found in The Book of Indulgences Rules and Grants, published June 29, 1968
"The aim pursued by ecclesiastical authority in granting indulgences is not only that of helping the faithful to explain punishment due to sin, but also that of urging them to perform works of piety,penitence and charity--particularly those which lead to growth in faith and which favor the common good."
"And if the faithful offer indulgences in suffage for the dead, they cultivate charity in an excellent way and while raising their minds to heaven they bring a wiser order into the this of this world."
"Although indulgences are in fact free gifts, nevertheless they are granted for the living as well as for the dead only on determined condition...the faithful have to love God, detest sin, place their trust in the merits of Christ and believe firmly in the great issistance they derive from the communion of saints"

As a result of the reform, all distinctions of day, month and year have been abolished, the only distinction retained is between plenary and partial indulgences.

The new reform provides for three concessions:
1) Partial indulgences is granted to the faithful who, in fulfilling their duties and in facing the adversities of life, raise their soul to God with humble confidence, and add in their heart a pious invocation.
2) Partial indulgences is granted to the faithful who, with a soul full of faith and mercy give of themselves or their goods to their brothers in need.
3) partial indulgences is granted to the faithful who, in a spirit of repentance, deprive themselves spontaniously of something.

"To aquire a plenary indulgence, it is necessary to perform the work to which the indulgence is attached and to fulfill three conditions: sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pantiff. It is further required that all attachments to sin, even to venial sin, be absent."

Plenary indlugences can be obtained on the following occasions:
-adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for at least one half hour
-recitation of the entire rosary in church, as a family, or in community
-making the Stations of the Cross
-reading Holy Scripture for at least one half hour
-a church visit between noon of November 1 and midnight of Nov 2, for the intention of the deceased
-visiting a cemetary, for the intention of the deceased
-taking part in a First Holy Communion ceremony, or the first Mass of a priest, or the anniversary of 25, 50 or 60 years of priesthood
-renewing one's baptismal promises during the Easter Vigil
-adoration of the Cross during the Good Friday liturgy
-papal benediction, even when received listening to the radio or watching on television

By going to confession regulary, one can obtain many plenary indulgences.

Whew, hope that helps, somewhat.

 

[jdjr]

When we obtain them, we may either have them apply to ourselves, or we may offer them up for the souls in purgatory.

That is what I have a question on. An indulgence cannot be applied to another living person, but may be applied to a soul in purgatory. Why is that?

 

[nyj]

That is what I have a question on. An indulgence cannot be applied to another living person, but may be applied to a soul in purgatory. Why is that?

Probably (and I am hypothesizing here, I do not have an official answer), as long as we're able, we're responsible for our own spiritual cleanliness. Those in purgatory however are no longer capable of such.

 

[Benedicta00]

Okay, first of all a thread on this kind of topic may get volatile if certain rules aren't set. Here are the rules, please follow them.

1. Only Catholics may post
2. No debate
3. No criticism

Now for my question. What are indulgences? What types are there? Who can give them and what can you do with them?

God bless you all.

They need not be as complicated as they are to discuss.

They are things we can do extra to repair the damage sin does to us and others, we can also do these things to help the souls who are in purgatory since they no longer can do these things for themselves anymore.

They are preyers said, pilgrimages taken, giving to the poor, fasting, bible reading- many different things to gain merit for us and others.

 

[krstlros]

That is what I have a question on. An indulgence cannot be applied to another living person, but may be applied to a soul in purgatory. Why is that?

Because, we on earth still have the saving grace to change. To make the right choices so that we can be much closer to God. Whereas those who are in Purgatory no longer have such graces and must suffer the cleansing process before enterin into Heaven.