Does Saying the Rosary Eliminate Consequences?

[wumpiesmommy]

I’m suffering a long drawn out court case due to sins I committed ending in January except a slip here and there. I have court again in July and I’ve been saying the Rosary daily asking for the case to be ended with “time served” so to speak. I am also doing charity work daily because I want to but also hoping to earn indulgences in addition to doing it because I want to. I’ve confessed all my mortal and venial sins (though not all to a priest) and done penance for them all, and repented but for occasional slips. Will things like these make me gain indulgences that lessen or eliminate the earthly punishment or consequences of my past sins? What are this type of consequences called and will the punishment/consequence be lessened more the more I do things to earn such indulgences? What are some things I can do to have my petitions granted and reduce earthly punishment/consequences, in other words earn that type of indulgences? Would saying novenas on top of daily Rosaries help convince Jesus to grant my petitions? Thank you.

 

[Pat_Payne]

Would saying novenas on top of daily Rosaries help convince Jesus to grant my petitions? Thank you.

Not to sound harsh, but: you’re going about it the wrong way. Prayer is not an exercise in “changing God’s mind,” which since he exists in eternity, is a futile effort anyway. Prayer is a sign of trust in him. He already knows what you need and what you desire, and will give it to you in accordance with His will. Prayer to God or asking intercession of Mary or the Saints is not merely us asking for stuff, though that is good and proper, but also asking to accept whatever crosses God has chosen to give or not to lift from us. God isn’t going to “snap to” and do exactly what you wish just because you said X Rosaries and Y Novenas. That’s the kind of “babbling” or “vain repetition” Christ warned us against, thinking we could “talk God into submission” by the amount of our words, as if he was a cosmic concierge that would respond only if we rang that bell on His desk enough.

The second most important prayer, I believe, that Christ gave us was: “Father, I beg that you let this cup pass by me without my having to drink it, but in all things, Thy will, and not mine, be done.”

Definitely say the novenas. They are beautiful and potentially powerful prayers. Absolutely say the Rosary – it is our spiritual shield. But say them in the right spirit: That God’s will be done.

 

[ccmcmg]

I’m suffering a long drawn out court case due to sins I committed ending in January except a slip here and there. I have court again in July and I’ve been saying the Rosary daily asking for the case to be ended with “time served” so to speak. I am also doing charity work daily because I want to but also hoping to earn indulgences in addition to doing it because I want to. **I’ve confessed all my mortal and venial sins (though not all to a priest) **and done penance for them all, and repented but for occasional slips. Will things like these make me gain indulgences that lessen or eliminate the earthly punishment or consequences of my past sins? What are this type of consequences called and will the punishment/consequence be lessened more the more I do things to earn such indulgences? What are some things I can do to have my petitions granted and reduce earthly punishment/consequences, in other words earn that type of indulgences? Would saying novenas on top of daily Rosaries help convince Jesus to grant my petitions? Thank you.

All mortal sins MUST be confessed during Reconciliation with the priest. Or do you mean you haven’t confessed all the venial sins?

Once sins are confessed and you’ve received absolution, the punishment may remain, but not the sin. So, if you are in a state of grace (free from mortal sin) you can pray for and receive indulgences as outlined in the Endichron of Indulgences. God doesn’t dispense and answer our prayers like a genie in a bottle. He knows your heart and will answer according to His will.

May God bless and keep you strong as you work towards a life of Grace.