Indulgences

[FuzzyBunny116]

I thought I understood em, but a few questions arose-

I read that to receive and indulgence, one had to have the intention of gaining the indulgence. How does one do this? By praying that you wish to receive all possible indulgences you can for this day?
I am also reading, and I imagine I am misunderstanding this, that only the pope can grant indulgences. From my understanding, as long as one fufills the conditions (contrite heart for partial, Communion, Confession, no attachment to sin, and prayers for the pope’s intentions for plenary) they don’t have to “talk” to anyone to get the indulgence. I’ve also got a friend who is not Catholic, but will probably convert and believes in indulgences and purgatory. Is he able to get indulgences? Also, what exactly is meant by “no attachment to sin?”

 

[Jenlyn]

From the “Handbook of Indulgences Norms and Grants” it states

“In addition to the supreme authority of the church the only ones who can grant indulgences are persons who have this power recognized in law or granted them by the Pope.”

“From the onset of their pastoral office, diocesan bishops and those equivalent have the right to grant partial indulgences, and impart the papal blessing with a plenary indulgence(3 times a year).”

“Cardinals possess eveywhere the power to grant on particular occasions a partial indulgence which are gained by the people present.”

You can only recieve one plenary indulgence a day. You can recieve many partial indulgences.

“A partial indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who, in soirit ofpenitence, voluntarily abstain from something which is licit for and pleasing to them.”

“A partial indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who, while performing their duties and enduring difficulties of life, raise their minds in humble trust to God and make, at least mentally, some pious invocation.”

As I understand it, you can offer up a suffering for someone or yourself. It’s like living out purgatory on earth. When you have a headache, backache, you’re wrongly accused and so on.

Hope this helps. If not you can search this forum under the advanced search with the word indulgences. There are many. Make sure to check the Thread only button.

Peace,
Jen

 

[FuzzyBunny116]

So, what you’re saying is I have to actually TALK to a priest to gain partial indulgences?

 

[Sir_Knight]

The church has set up certain acts which, when done, merit an indulgence. For example, saying the rosary in church, spending half an hour in reading the bible, acts of public devotion to the Eucharist, etc.; there’s a number of them.

In addition to perorming [1] the specified act, a person must go to [2] confession, [3] communion, [4] offer a prayer for the Pope (Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be is sufficient) and be [5] free not only from ALL sin but also from ALL attachment to sin as well.

If all five conditions are met, then a person receives a plentary (full) indulgence – meaning that all punishment is removed and if that person were to die at that moment, would go straight to heaven.

If even one of the five conditions has not been meant, the instead of a full indulgence, the indulgence becomes partial – meaning that part of the punishment is removed. What percentage is known only to God alone.

So, no, you do not have to talk to a priest to gain an indulgence other than going to confession but no mention of the indulgence is required.

 

[Hesychios]

Just to make it clear, the granting of indulgences is a strictly Latin practice.

Eastern Christians, Catholic and Orthodox, do not teach or use this procedure.