Plenary Indulgence for Dying - What's the Point?

[Lazerlike42]

What is the point of indulgences, particularly ones like the Pope just announced for making a pilgrimage to the papal basilica of St. Paul on Rome’s Via Ostiense, when you can get plenary indulgences for almost anything?

As an example:

"A special plenary indulgence is granted for the dying. This is normally included in the last rites, but in the event a priest is not present, the Church grants a plenary indulgence to the faithful “at the point of death, provided they are properly disposed and have been in the habit of reciting some prayers during their lifetime” (norm 18)

Why journey to Rome, or do anything else for either a partial or a plenary indulgence when all you need to do is die? To me this really cheapens the whole thing.

Anyone else have thoughts?

 

[Bruised_Reed]

FWIW the indulgence is “for the the dying” not (just) “for dying”. There is a difference.

I don’t think a plenary indulgence is easy to get because one of the requirements is that there is no attachment to sin. Many/most probably only receive a partial indulgence because of that. (I’m free from that attachment to sin for as long as it takes me to get annoyed after the sacrament of confession and let it get to me. KWIM?)

From the quote:

"A special plenary indulgence is granted for the dying. This is normally included in the last rites, but in the event a priest is not present, the Church grants a plenary indulgence to the faithful “at the point of death, provided they are properly disposed and have been in the habit of reciting some prayers during their lifetime”

Death can be seen as a pilgrimage of sorts, one fraught with spiritual dangers such as despair. Ever watch someone die? It may not as easy as one might think. I’m glad that church offer this indulgence at a time it is most needed.:heaven: