October 30, 2022, 12:00 PM
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "an indulgence is the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain defined conditions through the Church’s help when, as minister of Redemption, she dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfaction won by Christ and the saints" (CCC #1471). Wow! What does that mean?
When we sin, we offend God. When we repent, God, in His mercy, forgives our sins. However, God requires, in His justice, we heal the hurt caused by sin. This is temporal punishment for sin. For example, if I damage my neighbor’s car, I can say I am sorry and my neighbor, in mercy, can forgive me; however, in justice, I will have to pay to repair the car. In the Sacrament of Penance God forgives sin through the priest. God remits temporal punishment through the Church. An indulgence is plenary or partial according to whether it expiates all or part of the temporal punishment. A plenary indulgence removes all temporal punishment due to sin. To gain a plenary indulgence, one must perform the work attached to the indulgence and make a sacramental confession, receive Holy Communion, and pray for the intentions of the Pope. The conditions may be met several days before or after performing the work of the indulgence.
A partial indulgence removes part of the temporal punishment due to sin. Some ways to gain a partial indulgence are by praying the Magnificat, Hail, Holy Queen, the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love, or the Creed; Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; or visiting a cemetery. Indulgences are a very important part of our temporal life on our journey to eternal life. Now you know!
When we sin, we offend God. When we repent, God, in His mercy, forgives our sins. However, God requires, in His justice, we heal the hurt caused by sin. This is temporal punishment for sin. For example, if I damage my neighbor’s car, I can say I am sorry and my neighbor, in mercy, can forgive me; however, in justice, I will have to pay to repair the car. In the Sacrament of Penance God forgives sin through the priest. God remits temporal punishment through the Church. An indulgence is plenary or partial according to whether it expiates all or part of the temporal punishment. A plenary indulgence removes all temporal punishment due to sin. To gain a plenary indulgence, one must perform the work attached to the indulgence and make a sacramental confession, receive Holy Communion, and pray for the intentions of the Pope. The conditions may be met several days before or after performing the work of the indulgence.
A partial indulgence removes part of the temporal punishment due to sin. Some ways to gain a partial indulgence are by praying the Magnificat, Hail, Holy Queen, the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love, or the Creed; Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; or visiting a cemetery. Indulgences are a very important part of our temporal life on our journey to eternal life. Now you know!
