As y’all may have heard, B16 issued a plenary indulgence for those taking part in World Youth Day.
Unfortunately, that leaves most of us out.
But he also offered a partial indulgence for the reast of us!
EXCERPT:
A partial indulgence is available to all the other faithful, wherever they may be during World Youth Day, if, with a contrite heart, they pray fervently that Christian youth
– be strengthened in the profession of the Faith;
– be confirmed in love and reverence toward their parents; and
– form a firm resolution to follow "the holy norms of the Gospel and Mother Church" in living out their present or future family life, or whatever vocation they are called to by God.
WHAT THE DEAL IS WITH INDULGENCES.
Does anybody know the date of the first explicit reference to Purgatory by a Church council or other official proclaimation?
Well, if you read Catholic Answers on The Roots of Purgatory (http://www.catholic.com/library/Roots_of_Purgatory.asp) you’ll find references from the Bible (about as ancient as you can get), and from the writings of the early church, dating back to the first century.
Perhaps instead of always being defensive about indulgences, we should explain why they are so beautiful. Knocking down objections does not inspire but as a certain Dominican said, “beauty has its own authority”
Are there any clubs or whatever for working on getting indulgences for the Poor Souls or for people you know who die? I know that priests are kinda overworked on offering Masses for the dead these days, so maybe that could help…?
It seems like a natural use for the Internet, actually.
We’re going, but as we are over 30 and therefore haven’t registered for the structured activities, I don’t think we’ll get an indulgence, will we? (This event is geared to people ages 16-30.) We will be going to the Mass at the closing on Sunday–that is open to all ages. Otherwise we’re going to wander around to the extent that we’re allowed as unregistered day-visitors on Saturday.
I don’t know how to definitively interpret what they mean by taking part in the “sacred activities” needed to obtain this plenary indulgence. (We know about the other provisions such as confession, communion, no attachment to sin…) Help!