Doctrine of Indulgences

[CRUSADER_KING]

Why has the Doctrine of Indulgences been neglected in recent years?
For example, I have had ten years of catholic education; however, I was never told what indulgences were or how to obtain them. I have even asked other Catholics if they knew how to obtain indulgences, and they had no idea. Why would catholic educators not teach this important doctrine?

 

[peter26]

Possibly because indulgences are controversial. They have a history of abuse, and sound incredibly like salvation by works. I have looked into indulgences and how one obtains them quite a bit and also discussed it with my priest, and I’m still half convinced that indulgences rely on salvation by works. I’m sure I’m not the only one.

 

[CRUSADER_KING]

I’m still half convinced that indulgences rely on salvation by works.

Your belief is understandable; however, indulgences do not rely on salvation by works. Indulgences cannot save people from the fires of hell. Indulgences only lessen the temporal punishment that is the result of one’s sins. No one can be saved by indulgences.

 

[peter26]

I understand that. Nonetheless, indulgences still make me uncomfortable, and I’m sure I’m not alone, especially amongst people who were not born Catholic. The idea that you get to Heaven faster based on how many rosaries you say is disturbing.

 

[Crusaderbear]

Might be due to their shady past - buying indulgences was so big in the 16th century it required major reigning in by the Council of Trent…

I’m not a historian, just googled the basics, but I recall that indulgences were a question on the Virginia World History SOL several years ago.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

I understand that. Nonetheless, indulgences still make me uncomfortable, and I’m sure I’m not alone, especially amongst people who were not born Catholic. The idea that you get to Heaven faster based on how many rosaries you say is disturbing.

I agree. Between the history and how they were profoundly abused, indulgences tend to make many people uncomfortable. Also, part of the Reformation (and Counter Reformation) issues were indulgences. Even if the RCC has cleaned it up, too many people were taught otherwise.

 

[jaimeleglise]

I happen to like indulgences. It is a way of helping other souls shorten their purgatory.

 

[CRUSADER_KING]

I happen to like indulgences. It is a way of helping other souls shorten their purgatory.

I agree! It makes me sad to see how ignorant people are when it comes to the beauty of indulgences.

 

[truetofaith]

I just try to keep the 10 Commandments, pray to God, thank Him, go to Confession…and let Him worry about how much time off I get from Purgatory.

BTW- I haven’t heard Indulgences mentioned in my parish in 20 yrs.

 

[E_7]

I happen to like indulgences. It is a way of helping other souls shorten their purgatory.

Me too. I have received like three to four indulgences that I know of by attending Las Mañanitas for Our Lady of Guadalupe in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The short pilgrimage starts at 4am and the Mass is at 5:00am offered by the Bishop broadcasted in the radio and tv.

When I was a child taking catechism, they did not mention indulgences. I was taught about them from my parents.

 

[Karen107]

I happen to like indulgences. It is a way of helping other souls shorten their purgatory.

I agree especially if a person is unsettled and they are looking for peace in their souls that come from doing indulgences… I have been taught about indulgences in my parish but they aren’t forced on me in any way…Indulgences can’t hurt a person, only help them in many ways…

 

[Karen107]

I understand that. Nonetheless, indulgences still make me uncomfortable, and I’m sure I’m not alone, especially amongst people who were not born Catholic. The idea that you get to Heaven faster based on how many rosaries you say is disturbing.

Have you ever prayed many rosaries??

 

[rben20]

For Catholics, indulgences should not be a problem but I can see how they would be for those outside the church. Understanding the Church’s authority and how indulgences help us with temporal punishment should clear up much of the confusion about it sounding like salvation by works. I’m confused as to why you believe it sounds like that and how praying rosaries speeds up your path to salvation? I don’t believe you have an understanding of indulgences at all even though you claim you do.

To the OP, I didn’t hear about indulgences till I started attending a FSSP parish.

Might be due to their shady past - buying indulgences was so big in the 16th century it required major reigning in by the Council of Trent…

Just to be clear, the Church never sold indulgences. I know the myth is held as truth even among Catholics but the fact is the Church only sometimes tied an indulgence to those who gave a donation (alms giving). The Council of Trent did address abuses tied to money by doing away with all indulgences involved with money but there was no fire sale as some who attack the Church claim.

 

[otjm]

I was in college before Vatican 2 ended, so I was exposed to a goodly number of novenas and indulgenced practices. "Even as a youth it seems to be to be a very mechanistic approach to the spiritual life.

I also can remember how entirely put off Catholics were by the phrase “a personal relationship with Jesus”. Whether it was the phrase itself, or the fervor with which it was delivered by Protestants, I don’t know. However, I suspect both, because many of those same Catholics seemed awfully focused on the ritualist requirements of obtaining any specific indulgence. Some things for which there are indulgences:

Raising the mind to God with humble trust while performing one’s duties and bearing life’s difficulties, and adding, at least mentally, some pious invocation.
Devoting oneself or one’s goods compassionately in a spirit of faith to the service of one’s brothers and sisters in need.
Freely abstaining in a spirit of penance from something licit and pleasant.
Freely giving open witness to one’s faith before others in particular circumstances of everyday life.

Piously reading or listening to Sacred Scripture for at least half an hour.
Adoration of Jesus in the Eucharist for at least half an hour.
The pious exercise of the Stations of the Cross .
Recitation of the Rosary or the Akathist in a church or oratory, or in a family, a religious community, an association of the faithful and, in general, when several people come together for an honorable purpose.

Receiving, even by radio or television, the blessing given by the Pope Urbi et Orbi (to the city of Rome and to the world) or that which a bishop is authorized to give three times a year to the faithful of his diocese.
Taking part devoutly in the celebration of a day devoted on a world level to a particular religious purpose. Under this heading come the annual celebrations such as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, and occasional celebrations such as World Youth Day.
Taking part for at least three full days in a spiritual retreat.
Taking part in some functions during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity including its conclusion.

Some of these I do, not because there is an indulgence, but because it is part of my spirituality. I really don’t concern myself with whether or not there is an indulgence attached.

And others I don’t do, not because there is an indulgence attached, but because it is not part of my spirituality.

 

[peter26]

Have you ever prayed many rosaries??

I do say the Rosary. But I don’t expect to get anything out of doing so in terms of relief from punishment.

I’m confused as to why you believe it sounds like that and how praying rosaries speeds up your path to salvation?

Saying rosaries is an example, I appreciate its not the only way someone can “obtain” an indulgence. But the idea as I understand it is your time in purgatory is reduced, thus speeding your arrival in Heaven. Sounds a little like salvation by works to me.

 

[ccmcmg]

Me too. I have received like three to four indulgences ***that I know of ***by attending Las Mañanitas for Our Lady of Guadalupe in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The short pilgrimage starts at 4am and the Mass is at 5:00am offered by the Bishop broadcasted in the radio and tv.

When I was a child taking catechism, they did not mention indulgences. I was taught about them from my parents.

I never knew about indulgences until some years ago, but I had a pretty light catechism growing up. Thankfully, with first the internet, and the Catechism, I feel pretty good about them. I love having them, and doing something special for God (not saved by works, though).

All the indulgences in the world wouldn’t help me if I wasn’t following God to begin with.

Also, you cannot be granted an indulgence if you don’t ‘apply’ for it. It’s not a ‘passive’ indulgence; one must consciously apply for it. And for plenary, additional conditions are required. I did specifically have one of my Rosaries blessed by a bishop, so that I could apply for the plenary indulgence of the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul by praying the Rosary.

 

[dmftx]

“Indulgences” is a word that simply describes the good that comes to us (or, better yet, to the Holy Souls in Purgatory) from a specific deed. For instance, there is a wonderful opportunity to earn a multitude of plenary indulgences for those Souls this next weekend. When I act with the mental desire for (the term) indulgences, I feel love gushing forth from me because I am performing an act with a mental focus and purpose. It is worth trying…the more you do, the more you WANT to do!

 

[Karen107]

I do say the Rosary. But I don’t expect to get anything out of doing so in terms of relief from punishment.

Saying rosaries is an example, I appreciate its not the only way someone can “obtain” an indulgence. But the idea as I understand it is your time in purgatory is reduced, thus speeding your arrival in Heaven. Sounds a little like salvation by works to me.

Hi Peter remember we don’t say the rosary we pray the rosary. I’m with the previous two posters. Indulgences improve your spiritual life and should not be considered work, rather actions which make us become more holy and more joyful! And Holiness will bring you closer to God and the Kingdom of heaven and lessen time away from God (in purgatory). The rosary brings us closer to Jesus through Mary thus on the Way of Holiness. Theres scriptures on that. Isaiah 35:8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.

And of course we know that nothing unclean will enter heaven.

 

[quies]

“Indulgences” is a word that simply describes the good that comes to us (or, better yet, to the Holy Souls in Purgatory) from a specific deed. For instance, there is a wonderful opportunity to earn a multitude of plenary indulgences for those Souls this next weekend. When I act with the mental desire for (the term) indulgences, I feel love gushing forth from me because I am performing an act with a mental focus and purpose. It is worth trying…the more you do, the more you WANT to do!

Good observations!

Like

 

[normbetland]

I do say the Rosary. But I don’t expect to get anything out of doing so in terms of relief from punishment.

Saying rosaries is an example, I appreciate its not the only way someone can “obtain” an indulgence. But the idea as I understand it is your time in purgatory is reduced, thus speeding your arrival in Heaven. Sounds a little like salvation by works to me.

I believe the principle behind all of it is that these things to which the Church attaches indulgences are in and of themselves holy things that change your heart and your soul, and would have the same effect regardless of whether the word ‘indulgence’ is attached. I think this is no more evident than in the complete restructure of the indulgence “system” if you will during Vatican 2. Hundreds of prayers no longer have indulgences attached, and the previous system of “x days, x years, etc.” is gone. But those prayers and practices are not suddenly wastes of time. They still incline the heart to God and lead us to holiness, which in turn, reduces our stay in purgatory because it perfects us.

And that is what indulgences are all about. The prayer doesn’t speed up our stay in purgatory because the indulgence is attached, the indulgence is attached because the prayer moves us towards perfection, which at the same time reduces our stay in purgatory.