Plenary Indulgences 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?

 

[water]

Why journey to Rome, or do anything else for either a partial or a plenary indulgence when all you need to do is die?

Could you please explain a little further on this part - What happens after “all you need to do is die”?
Thanks!

 

[Johndigger]

What exactly is wrong with the Church using its authority to unleash God’s grace?

What’s wrong with Christ’s cross making reparation for our offences?

It would be false thinking to think that we “earn” indulgences. They are a gift from God and they are used to inspire us and motivate us to particular pious practices.

Perhaps, there is a similiar issue with confession, “Why can’t I go to confession just before I die and not now?”

Well, if you never go to confession until you die, you’re going to find it very difficult to live a good and holy life and to bring yourself and others to Jesus Christ.

So, take advantage of the grace that Christ offers you through the Church and don’t complain that you haven’t earnt it or that you’ll recieve the same grace later in life.

The Church and Christ know how to inspire us to grow in holiness.

God bless you!

JD

 

[MarcoPolo]

I think this part:

“provided they are properly disposed”

should tell you that other forms of penance are quite effective. It is difficult to attain a plenary indulgence, because one of the criteria is that the soul must have no attachment to sin at that point. This may prove difficult for most, even at the point of death.

 

[Andruschak]

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?

Speaking ONLY for myself, I try to obtain a daily Plenary Indulgence for the Holy Souls. I have also done the Heroic Act, so ALL indulgences I get go to the Holy Souls. Therefore, the more indulgences I can get, the more I can help the Holy Souls. This would include that plenary indulgence at my death. :yup:

By the way, I hope you noticed those footnotes about those plenary indulgences at the point of death? To be without Mortal Sin, and to have no attachment to sin, mortal or venial?

 

[Bruised_Reed]

What I said in the duplicate thread:

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:

 

[CSN]

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?

I will also add that reciting the Rosary or the Stations of the Cross in a group also results in a plenary indulgence.

So why jump through those more difficult hoops?

Maybe it’s because people want and expect something grandiose must be done in order to receive such a tremendous grace. And likewise, the Church can then tell people “If you do this or that significant act], you can receive a plenary indulgence.” It’s a way for the Church to ‘sell’ something with great pomp and circumstance, and have people get all excited because of it.

And then later, when people try to learn more about plenary indulgences, they will realize that they never had to do anything so drastic in the first place. It is at this point that such people can truly realize the sheer mercy of God → to grant something so precious, so freely and so easily. To show how much He really wants to give us such tremendous gifts. To show that indulgences are, like all other graces, there for the taking, if only we ask for them…

 

[LilyM]

I will also add that reciting the Rosary or the Stations of the Cross in a group also results in a plenary indulgence.

Actually it’s only the Rosary that need be said in a group - unless you say it in Church, when you can say it alone - and the SOTC can also be done solo.

 

[CSN]

Actually it’s only the Rosary that need be said in a group - unless you say it in Church, when you can say it alone - and the SOTC can also be done solo.

I stand corrected. This is what I have found – definitely correct with # 13 but # 9 is still not so clear to me (not clear that it can be done alone from the wording)… And look at # 10, reading the bible for half an hour… wow.

Prayers and works blessed with a plenary indulgence include:

1. A visit in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for at least half an hour.
2. A devotional visit to one of the four patriarchal basilicas in Rome: namely, St. Peter’s, St. Paul outside the Walls, St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major on their titular feast day, on Sundays and any holy day of obligation, and once a year on any other day chosen by one of faithful.
3. The papal blessing imparted urbi et orbi, and received piously and devoutly, even when this takes place solely via radio or television.
4. Visiting a cemetery between November 1 and November 8 and praying, even silently, for the dead. This indulgence is applicable only to the souls in purgatory.
5. Adoration of the cross during the solemn liturgical ceremony on Good Friday.
6. The faithful who receive their first Communion or devoutly participate in that Mass.
7. Priests who celebrate their first Mass with a congregation and the faithful who devoutly participate in it.
8. Taking part in spiritual exercises at least three days in length.
9. Reciting the rosary in a church or a public oratory, with family members, in a religious community or in a prayer group.
10. Reading Sacred Scripture for at least half an hour.
11. The Te Deum, when it is said in a public celebration on the last day of the year.
12. The Veni Creator, when it is said in a public celebration on the first day of the year and on Pentecost Sunday.
13. The Way of the Cross in the presence of stations legitimately erected. According to common practice, the Way of the Cross consists of fourteen readings to which some vocal prayers are added. This is not indispensable; devout meditation on the Passion and death of the Lord suffices. Unless hindered from doing so, you should move from one station to another. Whenever there is a public Way of the Cross, it is enough for the leader to move from one station to another while the rest of the participants remain in their places.
14. The renewal of baptismal promises during the celebration of the Easter Vigil or on the anniversary of your own baptism.
15. The Prayer to Jesus Crucified recited devoutly in the presence of a crucifix after Communion on any Friday of Lent or Good Friday.
16. Recitation of the Act of Reparation, using the approved text, during a public celebration on the feast of the Sacred Heart.
17. Recitation of the Act of Consecration of Mankind to Christ the King, using the approved text, during a public celebration on the feast of Christ the King.
18. A visit to the cathedral of your diocese or to your parish church, on its titular feast day or on August 2 (unless the local Ordinary determines another date).
19. Devout attendance at the final liturgical celebration of a Eucharistic congress or a popular mission.
20. If “on the verge of death” there is no priest available to confer the sacraments and the apostolic blessing with the plenary indulgence attached to it, holy Church grants to the dying who are properly disposed a plenary indulgence, provided they have said some prayers regularly during their lifetime. In such a case, this condition substitutes for the three usual conditions.

 

[CapaxDei]

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?

I think you know better than that. You cannot “get” a plenary indulgence for “just about anything.” Consult the Enchiridion please.