A Time for

INDULGENCES

(Experiencing God’s Grace & Mercy) What is an ? The Catechism of the

(CCC #1471) says in paragraph 1471 that an indulgence is the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. There are two types of punishment due to sin: (1) Eternal and (2) Temporal. Temporal punishment exists because all sin, even venial ones, display an unhealthy attachment to the things of this world and must be purified either here on earth (through acts, ascetical way of life, and spiritual and/or corporal ) or after death in the state of . Temporal punishment is a painful process of healing, purification, and restoration which follow the destruction caused by sin.

Types of ? There are two types of indulgences: (1) Partial and

(2) Plenary. A partial indulgence remits part of temporal punishment and a plenary indulgence remits all of the temporal punishment due to sin.

Why Indulgences? Indulgence means an imparting of God’s Mercy and

Grace. The purpose of indulgences is to help people be better Christians & people and to lead them to full conversion and a full life. It provides an opportunity for complete purification of the sinner in this world so that they may without any hindrance enjoy life with God in the world to come.

Explanation? When we look at the effect of sin we recognize that stealing,

lying, cheating, malicious gossip, adultery, pornography, substance abuse, violence against people (spouses, adults, elderly, children), chronically missing , just to mention a few, are serious sins. In we are offered God’s for these sins, but the consequences such as the tendency, attitude, habit, addiction, and temptation to steal, gossip, view pornography, abuse alcohol and/or drugs, allow our anger to lead to violence, and find excuses for neglecting Mass remain. On the part of others who may know of our failings they never quite trust us again, they’re suspicious of us, they question us or others about what we say and do, and clearly because of the sin our relationship has been harmed and sometimes destroyed. An indulgence takes away the temporal punishment we deserve and purification we would otherwise have to do as the consequence of our sins.

How do I gain an indulgence? Again, the purpose of an indulgence is to assist every Christian in living as an authentic of . In order to gain an indulgence one must first intend to receive them, and should: • Strive toward a life of conversion - This means living a life dedicated to overcoming one’s sins, following the commandments of God, and living a life of Christian values • Receive the of Reconciliation near to the time the indulgence is received. • Receive Holy Communion within several days of receiving an indulgence. • Pray for the intentions of the : (Lord’s , , and Glory be are one possibility) • Perform a specific work or prayer: • Make a - making a special trip to one of the pilgrimage churches in this . These churches are: The Cathedral of the ; St. Michael’s, Pensacola; The Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More, Tallahassee; St. Dominic’s, Panama City; St. Margaret, DeFuniak Springs; and St. Patrick’s, Appalachicola. • Corporal works of mercy - feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick and imprisoned, bury the dead • Spiritual works of mercy - counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish the sinner, comfort the sorrowful, forgive injuries, bear wrongs patiently, pray for the living and dead • Spend 30 minutes a day devoutly reading Sacred Scripture • Assist devoutly at a liturgical celebration while visiting a pilgrim church - such as Mass, morning or evening prayer, Adoration of the , , the said with others • Devoutly use a crucifix, rosary, or medal that has been blessed by a priest • Pray to the , St. Joseph, the ; pray for the souls in Purgatory and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life; pray Psalm 51 • Fast & abstain - from something you enjoy (for the good of self and/or others) • Raise your mind and heart to God in trust in the midst of trials and suffering. Who may gain an indulgence? A person must be baptized, not

excommunicated, and in the state of grace at least on the completion of the act prescribed above. Plenary (full) indulgences gained for onesself, beyond the first one personally needed, may be applied to the faithful departed. No one can gain an indulgence and pass them on to living persons.