The Indulgence

Indulgence means involving into something deeply. Being too much into something or into people. We often here indulging in chocolate cakes and stuff. There is a different kind of indulgence that does exist. Indulgence with god and prayers.

An indulgence is a remission before god of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the church which as the minister of redemption, dispense and applies with authority from the treasury of the satisfaction of Christ and saints.

An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin. The faithful can gain indulgence for them or apply to the dead.

The sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us from the communication with god. And therefore makes us incapable of eternal life. The privation of which is called eternal punishment of sin. On the other hand every sin every venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures which must be puried either here on earth or after death that is purgatory. This purification frees us from what is called as temporal punishment of in. these two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by god from without as following the very nature of sin. A conversation which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.

The forgiveness of sins and restoration with god entails the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains. While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and when the day comes serenely facing death. The Christian must try to accept this temporal punishment as grace.  He should strive by works of mercy and charity. He should also pray as well as practice the penance to put off completely the old man and to put the new man.

Plenary indulgence is granted to:-

1. The faithful, who piously and devoutly receive even by radio or TV transmission the blessing of the sovereign pontiff, when imparted to Rome and to the world.
2. If the visit to the Blessed Sacrament last for at least half an hour.
3. The faithful who devoutly visit the cemetery and pray even if only for the departed each day for the 1^st to 8^th of November. This applies only to souls in purgatory.
4. The faithful who spend at least three whole days in the spiritual exercise or a retreat.
5. The faithful who devoutly use an article of devotion like the crucifix, cross, rosary or scapulars.
6. The faithful who during the mission have heard some of the sermons and are present for the solemn close of the mission.
7. A priest on the occasion of the first mass. Also the faithful who devout assistance at the same.
8. If the full rosary is recited in the church, public or family group.
9. A priest who on the 25^th, 50^th and 60^th anniversary of his ordination renews before god his resolve to fulfil faithfully the duties of his vocation.
10. The faithful who with the veneration due the divine word read the bible for attest one half an hour.
11. The faithful who makes the pious exercise of the way of the cross.
12. The faithful who visits a church or an altar on the day itself of its consecration, and there recites our father and the apostles creed. The sacred ceremonies of the first holy communion.
13. The faithful, who on the day dedicated to the commemoration of all the faithful and the departed, piously visit a church oratory of religious on the feast, and recite the father and the apostle’s creed.
14. The faithful who devoutly visit a church or oratory of religious on the feast pf the canonized founder and recite and our father and the apostle’s creed.
15. The faithful who renew their baptismal promises according to formula in use in the celebration of the paschal vigil or on the anniversary of one’s baptism.
16. The faithful who is in solemn liturgy action of Good Friday devoutly assist at the adoration of the cross and kiss it.
17. The faithful who receive communion for the first time or when they assist at the sacred ceremonies of a first holy communion.
18. The faithful who assist the solemn jubilee mass of a priest.

However all these are done in a state of grace and all the attachment to sin, even venial sin should be absent. No one acquiring indulgence can apply them to other living persons. One must at least have a general intension to gain them. A plenary indulgence can be acquired once only in the course of a day.

Thus to acquire a plenary indulgence it is necessary to fulfil the following three conditions

1. Sacramental confession
2. Eucharistic communion
3. Prayer for the intension of Sovereign Pontiff.

Partial indulgence is granted too. They are granted to the following

1. The faithful who take part in teaching or learning the Christian doctrine.
2. The faithful, who piously recite the memorare.
3. The faithful who repent and with a repentant heart recite the psalm have mercy on me.
4. The faithful who piously spend some time in mental prayer.
5. The faithful who pray for the pope.
6. The faithful who take part in monthly retreat,
7. The faithful who devoutly sign themselves with the sign of the cross.
8. The faithful who in spirit and faith and in mercy serve their brothers and sisters in need.
9. The faithful, who in spirit of penance voluntarily deprive themselves of what is licit and pleasing to them,
10. The faithful who recite hail holy queen.

All this are simple acts of deeds and prayers and we often do all this as Christians. You don’t have to force yourself of doing anything but just doing it with full faith will help you grant partial indulgence.

• Carren bryne.