Bishop Thomas John Paprocki: Avoiding Despair and Presumptiom

As we remember our friends and relatives who have died, we grieve not only because they are no longer with us here on earth, but we may also grieve at the thought that our loved ones may not be in God’s presence in his Kingdom of heaven, so we pray for their intentions and offer the Sacrifice of the Mass for their purification, that they may attain the beatific vision of God.

In thinking about death and preparing ourselves for that inevitable reality, it is good to avoid two extremes. One extreme is to think that it is impossible to get into heaven. We call this despair. It is the sin of Judas, thinking that our sins are so great that God will not or cannot forgive us. It is the Devil’s main trick to make people believe that they are unworthy of God’s forgiveness. The other extreme is to think that everyone will go to heaven no matter what they believe or how they have lived here on earth. We call this presumption. It is wrong to presume that everyone will go to heaven or even that a particular person is now in heaven because we are somehow convinced of his or her goodness. Only God knows what is in a person’s mind and heart and conscience. God’s offer of salvation is indeed made to everyone through Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection, but God also respects our freedom to accept or reject this invitation. Not everyone accepts it; some may certainly reject it.

While we hope that our loved ones are in heaven with God, if they are not, it is at least our hope that they are in purgatory awaiting their final reward. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the doctrine of purgatory in this way: “All who die in God’s friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned” (paragraphs 1030-1031).

~ Bishop Thomas John Paprocki; excerpt from here ~

Indulgences for Souls in Purgatory

1.  A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who,

 1.  on any and each day from November 1 to 8, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only    mentally, for the departed;

2.  on All Souls' Day (or, according to the judgment of the ordinary, on the Sunday preceding or following it, or on the solemnity of All Saints), devoutly visit a church or an oratory and recite an Our Father and the Creed.

2.  A partial indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who

1.  devoutly visit a cemetery and at least mentally pray for the dead;

2.  devoutly recite lauds or vespers from the Office of the Dead or the prayer Eternal rest.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May they rest in peace.  (Order of Christian Funerals)

~ From the Manual of Indulgences ~

~  From EWTN:  General Conditions for Receiving Indulgences ~ 

Fr. John Bartunek: Indulgences are a True Doctrine of the Church

"I want to start with two clarifications. First of all, one reader referred to the older practice of linking indulgences with particular numbers of “days” in purgatory. That practice has been officially phased out, not because it was doctrinally false, but because it was so easily misunderstood. It fostered the kind of mathematical piety that some of our readers are rightly uncomfortable with. The current practice is much simplified. The popes grant indulgences for certain pious actions (praying the stations of the cross, lifting your heart to God during the day, reading the Scriptures each day…), but they no longer assign numbers of days. Rather, they are simply partial or full indulgences.

"This means that they can help make reparation for our sins and those of the faithful who are now in purgatory. The Church doesn’t want us to think of salvation as a math problem that we can calculate and manipulate. And yet, the Church recognizes that our active love for God and neighbor can make a real positive impact on our souls and those of our brothers and sisters. Indulgences are simply one expression of this beautiful aspect of God’s plan for salvation.

"And that brings us to the second clarification. Indulgences are not merely an expression of popular piety. Expressions of popular piety, like pilgrimages, novenas to saints, and prayer vigils, are encouraged by the Church insofar as they help some of us stay energetic in our pursuit of holiness. But they are entirely optional.

"Even the Rosary (probably the most popular of all) is entirely optional, though it has been strongly recommended by every pope since the start of the twentieth century. Even approved Marian apparitions (Fatima, Lourdes, Guadalupe…) are not an integral part of the Catholic faith. No Catholic has to believe in them or be devoted to them. They belong to what is known as private revelations.

"Whereas doctrines like the Resurrection of Christ and the Immaculate Conception are not optional. They are integral parts of Revelation, and knowingly rejecting them is a sin against faith. Indulgences are closer to this side of the spectrum; they are both a doctrine and a practice. In other words, believing in indulgences is not optional. It is taught by the teaching authority of the Church as a true doctrine, as integrally related to Revelation. So, even if some of us don’t like the doctrine and the practice, even if we don’t try to obtain them, we must accept the truth of indulgences as part of our faith.

~ Fr John Bartunek, excerpt from his series on Indulgences and Purgatory ~

Fr. John Bartunek: An Explanation of Indulgences and Purgatory

"Our life on earth is a spiritual war. Our selfishness and sins not only offend God (the offense that confession removes, as God grants us his forgiveness), but they also do damage to our souls. They form and deepen spiritual habits, tendencies, and attitudes that are contrary to the gospel. And that damage needs to be repaired; every last scrap of selfishness and sinfulness has to be removed, or purified, before we are able to live in the perfect intimacy with God that heaven requires."

"This purification can happen either in this life, or after we die. If it happens after we die, it is called purgatory – the state in which all remaining selfishness is purged from our souls."

"Through the favor granted by an indulgence, God’s mercy permits this purification to happen more quickly than otherwise. Instead of having to suffer through the purification oneself, in other words, purification is obtained through the suffering already undergone by Christ and the saints. Indulgences can’t free souls from hell, but they can speed up the purification process for oneself or for souls in purgatory, by remitting this temporal punishment (the restorative purification) that personal sins create the need for. There are two types of indulgences: partial, which repairs some of the self-damage caused by sin, or plenary, which repairs all of the damage."

"The bottom line, however, is charity, love. Obtaining indulgences for souls suffering in purgatory exercises true supernatural love for neighbors whom we may never meet till our family feast in heaven. And when we exercise true, supernatural love, it grows – nothing matters more than that."

~ Fr. John Bartunek, LC, excerpts from here and here. ~

St. Faustina: Jesus Wants Prayers Instead of Talk

"I sometimes talk too much. A thing could be settled in one or two words, and as for me, I take too much time about it. But Jesus wants me to use that time to say some short indulgenced prayers for the souls in purgatory. And the Lord says that every word will be weighed on the day of judgment." (274)

~ From Divine Mercy In My Soul, The Diary of Sr. M. Faustina Kowalska ~

~Some short indulgenced prayers ~

Blessed Dina Belanger: Indulgences for Souls in Purgatory

Our Lord requested of Blessed Dina Belanger a particular intention for each day of the week: reparation, thanksgiving, for her Congregation, for religious vocations, for consecrated souls, for all souls, for sacerdotal souls. She found it strange that He said nothing about the souls in Purgatory so she asked Him:

"My Jesus, in Thy intentions for each day of the week, Thou dost not mention the souls in Purgatory?"

Jesus replied:

"The souls in Purgatory have their share in each of your days. By the offering of Indulgences which you make every morning My holy Mother applies to them, according to her choice, the merit of your prayers and works. You have no other merits than through My merits, but My merits are infinite, inexhaustible. The intentions of each day of your week take nothing away from the souls in Purgatory who are so dear to Me. My merits can be applied to them and to the special intentions of each of your days."

~ Quotes from the Autobiography of Dina Belanger ~

Anima Christi: Soul of Christ, Sanctify Me

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, inebriate me.

Water from the side of Christ, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O good Jesus, hear me.

Within Thy wounds hide me.

Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.

From the malicious enemy defend me.

In the hour of my death call me.

And bid me come to Thee,

That with Thy saints I may praise Thee

for ever and ever.

Amen.

~ Indulgenced prayer, commonly prayed after receiving Holy Communion:
indulgence may be offered for souls in purgatory ~

Plenary Indulgences for the Living and the Faithful Departed

Don't miss these opportunities to gain plenary indulgences (which can be applied to the souls in Purgatory)!

5. Worth special mention are those grants which list works by which the Christian faithful, by performing any one of them, can obtain a plenary indulgence every day of the year:

adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for at least one half hour (no. 3);

devout reading of the Sacred Scriptures for at least one half hour (no. 50);

the devout performance of the Stations of the Cross (no. 63);

the recitation of the Marian Rosary in a church or oratory, with members of the family, in a religious Community, or in a pious association (no. 48).

But even in these instances what is stated in norm 21, paragraph 1, retains its force, namely, a plenary indulgence can be obtained but once a day. (Source)

~
Norms for Indulgences: requirements for gaining a plenary indulgence ~

The Angelus: Indulgenced Prayer

The Angelus is recited at three particular times during the day; 6 am, 12 noon, and 6 pm. During the Easter Season, the Angelus is replaced by the Regina Caeli. A partial indulgence (applicable to the souls in Purgatory) is granted to those who devoutly recite it according to the time of the year.

The Angel of the Lord
a) During the year (outside of Easter Season)

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, R. Be it done unto me according to your word. Hail Mary.

V. And the Word was made flesh, R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. Pour forth, we beg you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts: that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

b) During Easter Season

V. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia: R. For he whom you merited to bear, alleluia,

V. Has risen, as he said, alleluia. R. Pray for us to God, alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. R. Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray. O God, who by the Resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, granted joy to the whole world: grant, we beg you, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may lay hold of the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Shepherds Speak About Indulgences

"I want to mention something about indulgences, which are often misunderstood. Indulgences are not forgiveness for sin but forgiveness for temporal punishment due to sin.

"I like to explain it to people with the following story:

"As a child, once I came home very late for dinner. My mother was very upset, and seeing how upset she was, I felt very repentant and I told her that it would never happen again. She told me she forgave me, but as my punishment I would have to do the dishes.

"So there was repentance and forgiveness, but there was still punishment.

"But, as I started doing the dishes, my nana came in and said, “I will help you.”

"That is an indulgence.

"God loves us and he forgives us, but in His justice there is still some punishment for sin. The indulgence is when the merits and the sufferings of Jesus and the saints are applied to that punishment."

~ Cardinal Sean O'Malley ~

"Though it may seem “quaint” or even archaic to some, the notion of the indulgence is a meaningful expression of the doctrine of Grace and merit, and bears testimony to the power of our prayers for one another, even beyond this life. It also expresses the pastoral solicitude of the Vicar of Christ to “bind and loose” (cf. Matthew 16:19) as an expression of God’s mercy. "

"The greatest and most powerful prayer we can offer for the eternal salvation of those who have died is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Here the saving gift of Jesus Christ, dying and rising, is made present and its fruits or benefits are applied on behalf of the faithful."

~ Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City, MO ~

~ Information for this post found here.

Indulgenced Prayer Before a Crucifix

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who on any of the Fridays of Lent devoutly recite after Communion the above prayer before a crucifix and fulfill the other requirements for gaining a plenary indulgence.

A partial indulgence is granted if the prayer is prayed as an act of thanksgiving after Communion on any other days of the year.

Any indulgences gained can be offered for the souls in Purgatory.

Indulgences

Catholic Church Indulgences for Souls on Earth and Souls in Purgatory

From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops bulletin insert:

By its very nature, every sin inevitably causes suffering for the one who has committed it. Every sinful act creates disorder within the soul of the human person. Sin also disrupts one’s relationships with God, with the Church, with other people, and with the world as a whole. Those who have received forgiveness for their sins may still have an obligation to undergo a process of purification and to restore these disrupted relationships. The necessary and painful process that brings this reconciliation and purification can take place either in this life or in Purgatory, because whatever part of the process remains unfinished at death must be completed in Purgatory.

Through an indulgence, God grants that through the prayer of the Church the temporal penalty for sin due to someone be reduced (as in the case of a partial indulgence) or be eliminated (as in the case of a plenary indulgence). By God’s grace, participation in a prayer or action that has an indulgence attached to it brings about the necessary reconciliation without the suffering that would normally accompany it. The granting of an indulgence by the Church is “the expression of the Church’s full confidence of being heard by the Father when—in view of Christ’s merits and, by his gift, those of Our Lady and the saints—she asks him to mitigate or cancel the painful aspect of punishment by fostering its medicinal aspect through other channels of grace.”

How Can Indulgences Remove Some or All of the Temporal Punishment of Sin?
It is because of the Communion of Saints and the graciousness of God, our Father, that some or all of the temporal punishment for sin is removed. Although we always have to face the consequences of our sins in the form of the temporal punishment for sin, as members of the Body of Christ we are never simply on our own. We are linked with Christ and with the martyrs and saints, and we benefit from their holiness in such a way as to be freed from at least a portion of the temporal punishment for sin. “In this wonderful exchange, the holiness of one profits others, well beyond the harm that the sin of one could cause others.”

~ From USCCB ~ Indulgences and Our Spiritual Life

USCCB Manual of Indulgences Preview, (4th Edition, updated version) 1999

Norms for Indulgences (3rd Edition) 5/18/86

Pope Paul VI, Indulgentiarum Doctrina, 1/1/67

Pope John Paul II, Audience 9/29/99

Catechism of the Catholic Church: Indulgences

Code of Canon Law (1983) on indulgences

Catholic Encyclopedia: Indulgences

Myths About Indulgences

Primer on Indulgences

St. Bernadette: Importance of the Sign of the Cross

"They think I'm a saint... When I'm dead, they'll come and touch holy pictures and rosaries to me, and all the while I'll be getting broiled on a grill in purgatory. At least promise me you'll pray a lot for the repose of my soul."

"Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me, a poor sinner.

~ St. Bernadette Soubirous ~

Fr. Robert McNamara wrote:
Always a vital part of her own "prayers for sinners" was the rosary, which she constantly recommended to all. Part of the rosary was the sign of the cross. Whether in the rosary or at any other time, from the days of the Lourdes apparitions on, Bernadette was noted for the wonderful way she made the sign of the cross. One observer at the grotto later wrote, "If the sign of the cross is made in heaven, it can only be made in this manner." Everybody marveled at the way she crossed herself-slowly, reverently, "with majesty." "It is important to make it well," she told one of her fellow novices in the convent. The sisters respected the way she blessed herself, because they knew who had taught her. It was Our Lady herself, during the Lourdes apparitions.

Do we make the sign of the cross often? (Do you know that we can obtain a partial indulgence, applicable, if we choose, to the souls in purgatory, every time we make it?) Why not take on the project of always blessing ourselves slowly and reverently, pondering meanwhile what that sign means?

If we offer up these signs of the cross for the conversions of sinners, we will also be corresponding with what Our Lady of Lourdes asked of us through her humble ambassadress, Bernadette Soubirous.

~ Father Robert F. McNamara, R.I.P. 5/22/08, quoted from here. ~