Using a Pardon Cross

  • Thread starter Thread starter Donald_S
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Donald_S

Guest
I wanted a crucifix necklace to wear and became interested in the Pardon Cross. I just got it in the mail and I am wearing it now.

However when I look into the associated indulgences, I get a little confused. Does anyone have a simple, straightforward explanation of how I can use the Pardon Cross to its fullest potential?
 
Last edited:
The indulgences associated with the Pardon Cross are no longer in force. They, along with many other indulgences, were written out of the Manual of Indulgences when it was revised in the 1960s. The current Manual of Indulgences may be read here.

https://d2wldr9tsuuj1b.cloudfront.net/3189/documents/2018/4/Indulgences_v2.pdf

(But note that you still may be able to get the following indulgences for using the Pardon Cross:
  • the one for using a crucifix “devoutly” (N15 in the new manual)
  • the one for making “some pious affirmation” (General Grant 1) )
You can still use the Pardon Cross as directed in the instructions, to help you be more forgiving of others. I have one on my rosary and I use it daily. If I don’t happen to have that particular rosary on me (I keep a plastic rosary in the car for when I am rushing around), I just say the prayer on whatever crucifix I have handy.

I use the prayer, “I beg the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray to the Lord our God for me” while keeping in mind the wish to forgive my enemies, whichever ones I’m thinking of that day.

You can also use the other prayer in the instructions, “Our Father who art in heaven, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

I do kiss the Pardon Cross every time I pray on the rosary it’s attached to, at the beginning and end of the Rosary.

It worked for me.
 
Last edited:
Thank you. I’ll read this over. I’m assuming it’s ok to the whole Our Father if I can’t remember those specific words
 
Sure, that’s fine. Just kiss the crucifix and say the Our Father and think how you want to be more forgiving.
Maybe have the Crucifix blessed if you haven’t already.
 
Yeah, mine’s a Rugged Rosary too. I ordered a Random Rugged Rosary in one of their Facebook promotions where you get one half price, they pick the rosary, it’s how they get rid of overstock or test models. It came with a Pardon Cross on it. Been using it for about 3 years now.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
Maybe have the Crucifix blessed if you haven’t already.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I definitely want to do that. I’m going to wait though until I get a more rugged/durable rosary and have them blessed together. I’m assuming the priest will still bless them even though I’m only starting RCIA this week.

I’m interested in the rugged rosaries, I kinda wish they had a medal instead of a large knot in the center, but I know you can add medals there.
 
While the specific indulgences attached to Pardon Crucifixes were abrogated, there still remains indulgences related to the use of crucifixes in general, including the one that substitutes for the Apostolic Pardon when a priest is not available (that one is even available without a crucifix, but a use of a crucifix or cross is deemed “commendable.”)
 
I find myself most interested in this one:

ruggedrosaries.com

Trappist Rosary - Brown Traditional Rugged Rosary

A Traditional Trappist Rosary that is very rugged which was inspired by the Trappists and their contemplative solitude. Brown beads on Jet Black paracord with special cross cube copper beads give this a beautiful aesthetic.
ruggedrosaries.com ruggedrosaries.com
 
I was just about to make a thread on it in the Spirituality forum, because I think it was worth a reminder.

AT THE POINT OF DEATH
§1 A priest who administers the sacraments to someone in danger of death should not fail to impart the apostolic blessing to which a plenary indulgence is attached.

§2 If a priest is unavailable, Holy Mother Church benevolently grants to the Christian faithful, who are duly disposed, a plenary indulgence to be acquired at the point of death, provided they have been in the habit of reciting some prayers during their lifetime; in such a case, the Church supplies for the three conditions ordinarily required for a plenary indulgence.

§3 In this latter case, the use of a crucifix or a cross in obtaining the plenary indulgence is commendable.

§4 The faithful can obtain this plenary indulgence at the hour of death, even if they have already acquired a plenary indulgence on that same day.

§5 The catechetical instruction of the faithful should ensure that they are duly made aware and frequently reminded of this salutary benefaction of the Church.

https://d2wldr9tsuuj1b.cloudfront.net/3189/documents/2018/4/Indulgences_v2.pdf
 
Here’s my main rosary, it came with a St. Michael/ Guardian Angel medal and I added one medal of Mary/ Joseph and one of Padre Pio.
Since this picture was taken, the silver has worn off all the pater skulls, now they’re bronze.
I think it’s a prototype of the “Her Weapon” rosary they sold later which had some minor differences from this.

I touched it to every Padre Pio relic I have been able to visit, which is all the ones on his relic tour, a chalice and crucifix he used to say Mass, the glove at the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio, and the reproduction of his tomb there that holds a first class relic of him. Unfortunately have not been able to touch directly to a first class relic but perhaps touching the “tomb” suffices. There will be more of his relics around this weekend and next weekend at the Padre Pio festivals so I’ll visit those as well.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
Last edited:
I mostly try to touch tombs because if you touch to a saint’s tomb then it does become a third-class relic, from what I’ve read.

Otherwise, you have to touch directly to a first-class relic of the saint to make something a third-class relic. Touching to the reliquary doesn’t do it. But it’s the thought that counts, really, especially since I’m not anxious to run out and sell this rosary on eBay as “THIRD CLASS RELIC OF PADRE PIO” or any such rot. I just want Padre Pio to be with me when I pray as I feel he inspired me to take up all this praying.
 
Last edited:
I live about 30 minutes from Pittsburgh. Apparently the St Paul Cathedral has the largest collection of relics in the world outside of the Vatican.

Edit: Sorry, it is St Anthony’s in Pittsburgh that has the collection
 
Last edited:
Do they allow you to touch any of the relics? I kind of like the idea of having my rosary and Pardon crucifix necklace blessed and then become third class relics as noted above. I know they have the bones of several saints there
 
Generally, no, you don’t get to touch the relics. They are in reliquaries and a lot of the reliquaries were sealed when the relic was first obtained from the Vatican or wherever.

You can touch the reliquary on the outside. People usually say that is not enough to make a third class relic even if the relic inside is first class. I don’t quite get that since touching a saint’s tomb or grave is considered sufficient to make a third class relic, so if the saint’s bone is in a reliquary, to me touching the outside of the reliquary is no different than touching a grave or a casket with larger remains of the saint in it. But like I said it’s the thought that counts.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top