Plenary Indulgence and attachment to sin

[GwenL]

The Manual of Indulgences says that, to gain a plenary indulgence, you must be “…excluding all attachment to sin, even venial sin…” (along, of course, with sacramental confession within a few days, communion that day, and the requirements of the indulgence grant that day).

But the CCC (glossary) says that we all have concupiscence, which produces an inclination to sin.

How is it possible for us mere humans to ever be free of all (that’d be 100%) attachment to venial sin? Aren’t we by definition attached to venial sin through our innate characteristic of concupiscence?

I try to earn a plenary indulgence every day, and ask the Lord to give it to whoever needs it most (which is probably me ). But I figure that all I ever qualify for are partial indulgences.

 

[JerrySeibert]

Gwen,
Do not be so hard on yourself. We all have come short of the Glory of God but it is through his mercy we are allowed into his Kingdom. I hope you find peace. If you are performing all other Sacraments why would you not qualify.

 

[GwenL]

Jerry, I’m not stressed about it, or doubting God’s infinite mercy. I’m really asking a technical theological question, trying to understand indulgences.

I think that we’re all attached to venial sin. When I read writings of the various saints, it seems that they are also attached to their own favorite venial sins. If that’s true, how could anyone ever get a plenary indulgence?

 

[LilyM]

A few things:

a) firstly, it’s not required to be a permanent state of detachment. Only that we be detached at the same time as we complete the other requirements. Now I for one don’t believe that our attachment to sin is constant, any more than our sin itself is constant. There are periods of time where we don’t sin, and periods where we do, and in the same way there are periods where we aren’t attached to sin and periods where we are.

If I spend an hour in a state of total detachment from sin, and during that hour confess, receive Holy Communion and pray the Stations of the Cross in a church, together with prayers for the Holy Father’s intentions, then I will have gained the plenary indulgence at the time of finishing that final prayer. All my punishment incurred prior to that hour will be remitted.

Of course 5 minutes after finishing those prayers I may become reattached, sin again in some fashion, and incur fresh punishment. But I still have successfully gained the indulgence and am not liable for any consequences of sins previous to that hour, only the one AFTER the indulgence is gained.

b) detachment from sin doesn’t mean perfection. God doesn’t expect more of us than is possible with His help - which we are to ask for constantly, in the matter of detaching ourselves from sin as in all others - although He does have high standards.

It simply means a state where, for example, as far as is humanly possible we don’t DESIRE to sin in even the smallest way, we don’t rationalise away any of our sins, we don’t look back fondly on any of our past sins, rather detesting all of them, and so on.

 

[RobNY]

Jerry, I’m not stressed about it, or doubting God’s infinite mercy. I’m really asking a technical theological question, trying to understand indulgences.

I think that we’re all attached to venial sin. When I read writings of the various saints, it seems that they are also attached to their own favorite venial sins. If that’s true, how could anyone ever get a plenary indulgence?

Ah, the problem is equivocation. “Inclination to sin” is being used in two different senses. Concupiscence, in this sense, is an inclination of the flesh, whereas the inclination to sin which kills intimacy with God lies in the will.

Hence 1264 says:
*
as well as an inclination to sin that Tradition calls concupiscence, or metaphorically, “the tinder for sin” (fomes peccati); since concupiscence “is left for us to wrestle with, it cannot harm those who do not consent but manfully resist it by the grace of Jesus Christ.”*

It is a defect in the will which prevents full union with God.

Gwen, there is no need to suppose that you do not gain plenary indulgences. Also realize that in trying to be detached from your sins you slowly gain the power, through grace, to be detached from sin. Just put off all your sins, detest them in your will, and resolve never to return to them. What more can one do? With grace, much prayer, and time, the Lord will make us able to do His works. God bless!

-Rob

 

[GwenL]

Thanks, Rob and Lily, great answers.

I’ve been told that being within 8 days of a sacramental confession qualifies for the plenary indulgence. That’s not written in the manual of indulgences. Wonder if it’s true?

 

[Sirach2]

You will be pleased to learn that there are 20 days before or after the exercise, making a full 40 days if you count from the beginning. Here’s a thread that appeared recently:

The Apostolic Penitentiary’s document The Gift of The Indulgence, giving general remarks about indulgences clarifies the “several days” language:
5. It is appropriate, but not necessary, that the sacramental Confession and especially Holy Communion and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions take place on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act.