The following are examples of actions that meet one of the conditions for gaining a partial indulgence (also see question 214): (a) If one of the faithful, while doing his duty and bearing the burdens of life, lifts his heart to God with humble trust, adding, if only mentally, a pious invocation; or (b) if he, with a spirit of …
The Church desires that every Catholic, from the “age of discretion” (about seven years old), should be instructed on how to receive and best profit from the regular use of the Sacrament of Penance. The Church encourages the faithful to confess their sins to a priest with a contrite heart in the Sacrament of Penance. She makes it very clear …
A plenary indulgence is a complete release from the temporal punishment due for sins already forgiven. Only one plenary indulgence may be obtained each day. A partial indulgence removes part of the temporal punishment due for sins already forgiven. Several partial indulgences may be obtained each day.
Yes, all indulgences, without exception, may be offered by way of intercession for the departed. Although we may gain indulgences for ourselves, we may not offer them for any other living person.
The conditions for gaining a plenary indulgence are: a. One must be baptized and in the state of grace. b. One must receive Holy Communion each time a plenary indulgence is sought. c. One must go to confession several days preceding or following the indulgenced action. A single sacramental confession suffices for gaining several plenary indulgences. d. One must have …
Making use of her power to minister the redemption of Christ, the Church intervenes to dispense the treasure of the superabundant merits of Christ and the saints, to the faithful who are rightly disposed, for the remission of temporal punishment due their sins.
An indulgence is the Church’s special intercession with God for the remission of temporal punishment due to sin which has already been forgiven.
We must atone for our sins even after they are forgiven, either in Purgatory in the next life or by acts of penance in this life.
When we confess our venial sins, not only does God pardon them, but we receive an increase of grace and charity which allows for a better disposition for receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and helps us to perfect the Christian life. The abundance of the fruit which we gain from Holy Communion depends upon the degree of our love, …
Baptism is the sacrament through which we are: (1) reborn as children of God, (2) united with Jesus into His death and Resurrection, (3) cleansed of Original Sin and personal sins, and (4) welcomed into the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. Baptism is the sacrament through which we are reborn as children of God. Baptism is directed toward our …