What Does It Mean To Be "Detached" From Venial Sin?

[Ziggamafu]

It seems to me that the requirements for indulgences are ridiculously improbable, but maybe that’s because I have an improper understanding.

Does “detached from venial sin” mean “current state of spiritual perfection”? Can we know that we’ve met the spiritual requirements of a plenary indulgence?

 

[Spirithound]

It seems to me that the requirements for indulgences are ridiculously improbable, but maybe that’s because I have an improper understanding.

Does “detached from venial sin” mean “current state of spiritual perfection”? Can we know that we’ve met the spiritual requirements of a plenary indulgence?

I’ve often thought about it too. There is a story about a saint who was saying (or singing) a Mass that had a plenary indulgence attached to it, and it was revealed to him that only he and a little old lady out of all the ppl in the church were actually receiving the indulgence.
I take much comfort in knowing that even if i don’t receive the plenary indulgence, a partial one is attained.

 

[LilyM]

It seems to me that the requirements for indulgences are ridiculously improbable, but maybe that’s because I have an improper understanding.

Does “detached from venial sin” mean “current state of spiritual perfection”? Can we know that we’ve met the spiritual requirements of a plenary indulgence?

My own view on the matter is that an attachment to sin simply means that you have ‘pet sins’ (mortal or venial) that you’re committing over and over again. If you find you’re no longer committing the same type of sins again and again (which is doable, though it requires a real effort) then that would be a fair indication that you’ve lost your attachment.

I’ve said in another thread that if you wish to gain a plenary indulgence for a soul in purgatory (which can be done) then the requirement of no attachment to sin doesn’t apply, since the indulgence isn’t related to your own sins or your own soul.

Point being if you pray for a soul in purgatory that soul then prays for you when they enter heaven :angel1: - kinda neat

 

[Verbum]

Hi Lily,

About the souls in purgatory. The Church has no jurisdiction over the souls in purgagory, so that the indulgences we might gain for them are left at God’s discretion… and possibly the fervor of our good works and prayer.

Verbum

 

[LilyM]

Hi Lily,

About the souls in purgatory. The Church has no jurisdiction over the souls in purgagory, so that the indulgences we might gain for them are left at God’s discretion… and possibly the fervor of our good works and prayer.

Verbum

The church DOES teach us to pray for them though. And indulgences CAN be gained by us to be applied to them :yup: Nowheres that it says we can’t or shouldn’t

 

[Ziggamafu]

If I remember correctly, I’ve heard that such detachment from venial sin means only that you don’t want it in your life, even if it is, and that you’ve been forgiven of it before you perform the plenary indulgence. This would be much easier than a total kind of conscious detachment. I guess when I read “detachment”, it means you feel confident that you will never venially sin again and that you are utterly revolted and perfectly contrite in regards to the venial sins of your past. That would be waaaaaaaaay tougher and far more unlikely…I wish I could find a place where Holy Mother Church spells this out more clearly…

 

[Rykell]

I think detachment from sin is an interior attitude that consists of having such a horror for sin, that you would not willingly commit even a venial sin, out of love for God. That doesn’t mean a person will fail to commit a sin occasionally through weakness or surprise. By “surprise” I mean that you slip before giving it full consent and deliberation, like profanity or something similar. But the detached heart is pure and inclined to God with a firm commitment to avoid sin and the occasions of it.

If that is the attitude prevailing when one performs an indulgenced action, I believe the plenary will be obtained. I’m just not sure whether a plenary that is directed to the souls in purgatory will gain immediate release for them into beatific vision. I have never seen this explained in the teachings of the Church, though I am aware we can merit for them. An excellent practice!

 

[leonie]

I’ve said in another thread that if you wish to gain a plenary indulgence for a soul in purgatory (which can be done) then the requirement of no attachment to sin doesn’t apply, since the indulgence isn’t related to your own sins or your own soul.

Ah!! I never thought about that! I always felt so bad that I couldn’t get a plenary indulgence for the poor souls due to my own sinful nature.

so happy :dancing: thanks for sharing:tiphat: