A question about the Divine Mercy Indulgence

[Latias]

Would a spiritual allow one to receive the indulgence? I am afraid that i would not be able to receive the sacramental of reconciliation on the day before.

 

[Sirach2]

Would a spiritual allow one to receive the indulgence? I am afraid that i would not be able to receive the sacramental of reconciliation on the day before.

You have misunderstood the requirement, I believe. You may go to confession within 20 days before or 20 days after. There is n o strict obligation to go the day before. ewtn.com/library/CURIA/APCONFES.HTM

Notice the wording here:

The plenary indulgence is granted (under the usual conditions of a sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and a prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on Divine Mercy Sunday, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, recite the Our Father and the Creed, and also adding a devout prayer (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!).

 

[Latias]

You have misunderstood the requirement, I believe. You may go to confession within 20 days before or 20 days after. There is n o strict obligation to go the day before. ewtn.com/library/CURIA/APCONFES.HTM

Notice the wording here:

The plenary indulgence is granted (under the usual conditions of a sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and a prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on Divine Mercy Sunday, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, recite the Our Father and the Creed, and also adding a devout prayer (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!).

The issue is about receiving communion since I am afraid that I am unable to do so because of being in a perceived state of mortal sin.

I just do not want to be discouraged anymore.

Edit: I thought i mentioned “spiritual communion” in my OP. But I omitted the noun.

 

[Sirach2]

The issue is about receiving communion since I am afraid that I am unable to do so because of being in a perceived state of mortal sin.

I just do not want to be discouraged anymore.

Edit: I thought i mentioned “spiritual communion” in my OP. But I omitted the noun.

I’m still unsure of what you asked, since the Feast of Divine Mercy is not until the week after Easter. So you have plenty of time to get to confession, right? Unless you meant a regular plenary indulgence. If so, you may not be able to obtain a plenary, since you must be in the state of grace to receive it. As soon as you get to confession, whatever you have done to fulfill the grant offered by the Church, such as a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, you may go to confession up to 20 days after performing the grant, and it will count.

The sticking point is that you need to have no attachment to sin. Can you perceive that in your motives?

 

[glendab]

The Divine Mercy Promise is different from the Indulgence attached to the Chaplet. The Divine Mercy Promise isn’t restricted in the same way as an Indulgence. One doesn’t need to confess to receive the benefit of the Divine Mercy Promise. The Indulgence however is the same as all others, Confession, Communion, Prayers for the Pope and whatever the particular works/prayers are involved.

Glenda

 

[Latias]

I’m still unsure of what you asked, since the Feast of Divine Mercy is not until the week after Easter. So you have plenty of time to get to confession, right? Unless you meant a regular plenary indulgence. If so, you may not be able to obtain a plenary, since you must be in the state of grace to receive it. As soon as you get to confession, whatever you have done to fulfill the grant offered by the Church, such as a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, you may go to confession up to 20 days after performing the grant, and it will count.

The sticking point is that you need to have no attachment to sin. Can you perceive that in your motives?

Unfortunately, I do not know much about this.

For instance, let’s say one goes to Confession to during the week of Easter and one commits on the Thursday after Easter and one is unable (for whatever reason) is unable to go to Confession during the remainder of the week. That is the scenario I am concerned about.

So Spiritual Communion would not suffice for the Indulgence?

I cannot perceive that in my motives anymore. I had a negative spiritual experience last Spring that made me devalue the importance of my sincerity in pleasing God and wanting avoiding sin, and instead all that really mattered was whether I was able to avoid sin. It made more introspective by making me focus on my own sinfulness and less on God’s love. I felt unable to face the reality of my sin in Confession (especially by enumerating the number of times I did it) and just became reticent. My mind did not want to revisit it. Instead of seeing each day as a new opportunity to please God and a means to ignore the past, I saw my sin remaining. I do not suffer from scrupulosity or depression because my preferred maladaptation is spiritual apathy instead of apprehension and pretension. (I do not suffer from depression because I can enjoy secular pleasures and activities.) It exacerbated my existing neurotic and slothful tendencies. As a result, my prayer and Mass attendance has plummeted, and I never experienced a period of joy and ardor long enough to uproot the maladaptive behavior. I no longer feel comfortable going to Mass and receiving Communion.

My fear is that I would deem that I have no reason to attend Mass during Divine Mercy Sunday.

 

[ccmcmg]

First, please let me urge you to return to Confession as soon as possible. It’s very embarrassing to our human side to admit the same sins, and how many times we did them; but God is waiting for you, each and every time, to forgive you. I’ve been to Confession, and then had to return a few days later, saying it’d been 3 days since my last Confession!

Then, return again. Again. Give your battle to God; you and I can’t win, but He can.

Now, if you are participating in an indulgence that requires Communion, the Eucharist, to my research, spiritual communion would not suffice. God would still notice your efforts and you could still receive graces from them, but it wouldn’t be the indulgence as the Church has been inspired to teach.

As for having no reason to attend Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday, that day, as are all other Sundays of the year, is a holy day of obligation (or Saturday evening). I urge you to continue to attend Mass, whether or not you can receive Communion. It’s just an ‘hour’. Maybe that’s too much…perhaps a few minutes at adoration, building up.

Please come back. You’re on the edge.

Sometimes, I have to remember that perhaps something better is just on the horizon, from the amount of obstacles the other side is putting in my way.

May I please pray for you?

 

[glendab]

Go here: thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/praythechaplet.php

Glenda

 

[Latias]

First, please let me urge you to return to Confession as soon as possible. It’s very embarrassing to our human side to admit the same sins, and how many times we did them; but God is waiting for you, each and every time, to forgive you. I’ve been to Confession, and then had to return a few days later, saying it’d been 3 days since my last Confession!

Then, return again. Again. Give your battle to God; you and I can’t win, but He can.

Now, if you are participating in an indulgence that requires Communion, the Eucharist, to my research, spiritual communion would not suffice. God would still notice your efforts and you could still receive graces from them, but it wouldn’t be the indulgence as the Church has been inspired to teach.

As for having no reason to attend Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday, that day, as are all other Sundays of the year, is a holy day of obligation (or Saturday evening). I urge you to continue to attend Mass, whether or not you can receive Communion. It’s just an ‘hour’. Maybe that’s too much…perhaps a few minutes at adoration, building up.

Please come back. You’re on the edge.

Sometimes, I have to remember that perhaps something better is just on the horizon, from the amount of obstacles the other side is putting in my way.

May I please pray for you?

Thank you… please pray for me.