It was thought that I could say everything I wanted to say about indulgences in three parts,however, I should have given myself four or five parts to do more justice to the subject.

    I shall quote in the following only some norms written by Pope Paul IV, but for the complete set of Norms, I refer the reader to web site www.catholic.org/prayer/norms.html

   

Norm 3: Partial as well as plenary indulgences can always be applied to the dead by way of suffrage.

    Norm 5: The faithful who at least with a contrite heart perform an action to which a partial indulgence is attached obtain, in addition to the remission of temporal punishment acquired by the action itself, an equal remission of punishment through the intervention of the Church.

    Norm 6: A plenary indulgence can be acquired only once a day, except for the provisions contained in No. 18 for those who are on the point of death. A partial indulgence can be acquired more than once a day, unless there is an explicit indication to the contrary.

    Norm 9: A single sacramental confession suffices for gaining several plenary indulgences, but Communion must be received and prayers for the Supreme Pontiff’s intentions recited for the gaining of each plenary indulgence.

    Norm 10: The condition of praying for the Supreme Pontiff’s intentions is fully satisfied by reciting one Our Father and one Hail Mary; nevertheless the individual faithful are free to recite any other prayer according to their own piety and devotion toward the Supreme Pontiff.

    Norm 18: To the faithful in danger of death who cannot be assisted by a priest to bring them the sacraments and impart the apostolic blessing with its attendant plenary indulgence (according to canon 468, sec.2 of the Code of Canon Law) Holy Mother Church nevertheless grants a plenary indulgence to be acquired at the point of death (in articulo mortis), provided they are properly disposed and have been in the habit of reciting some prayers during their lifetime. To use a crucifix or cross in connection with the acquisition of this plenary indulgence is a laudable practice. This plenary indulgence at the point of death can be acquired by the faithful even if they have already obtained another plenary indulgence on the same day.

    Norm 20: Holy Mother Church, extremely solicitous for the faithful departed, has decided that suffrages be applied to them to the widest possible extent at any Sacrifice of the Mass whatsoever, abolishing all special privileges in this regard.

    Dear reader, I hope that the last four articles I have extended to this web site have been helpful to you in understanding indulgences and the need that we have of them. I hope you are moved to make conscientious use of this gift of the Church to assist us in removing punishment due to our sins.

    May God bless you!

Sister Mary Lucy Astuto

June 9-11, 2000
volume 11, no. 106
Sr. Lucy's GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER column

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