Indulgences

There is a multitude of articles written by serious Catholics explaining our gripes about the use of "Eucharistic Ministers".

Number one complaint of those who practice mystical prayer: As we are literally and completely immersing ourselves into what is happening in Golgotha before our eyes, joining the communion of saints and angels, a big parade of brightly dressed clowns from another century crashes the scene. They put on their rubber noses, play their bugles and drums and juggle as we struggle to stay deep in mystical prayer with Christ. (A post on mystical prayer of the Mass will be coming in the future.)

Mystical prayer takes discipline and momentum. When the clowns roll into town, it's not that easy to return to what's happening to Christ, our union with Him, intercessory prayers.

Priests who use "Eucharistic Ministers" tell us they are doing us the favor of getting us off of our knees and out of the Church as fast as possible. I get it if you're at a loaded Cathedral with 1500 people in the pew, but there have been times when the number of 'Euchies' equals the number in the pew.

It's asinine.

Their use is supposed to be for the "Extraordinary".

Unless the Blood of Christ is going to be offered, we don't need "Eucharistic Ministers" at daily Mass. It is downright impossible to make use of the power of Christ.

The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist” (CCC 1377).

We are quite literally touching Christ to draw from Him. To intercede for ourselves and others. At any given time, we have a dozen things we are talking to Him about, asking him to empower, comfort, heal, protect, exorcise.

And priests want to do "us" the 'favor' of not giving us that time?

Please!

Same distractions apply to the 'music ministry' but that is a story for another day. (These and many other liturgical innovations by people who are completely unaware of what is happening in front of them, is why Catholics who mystically pray the Mass flee to the Latin Rite where they are allowed to think and pray)

I wanted to put up a short list of indulgences I've found to make the moments as powerful as possible. Grab one at every Mass.

"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, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints".



We cut time and free souls from purgatory. When applying to ourselves, we also mitigate the effects of concupiscence which helps us in struggles with sin and aids in obtaining virtues. Gives some gas to Sanctifying Grace.

Pope Francis has granted a plenary indulgence during the 100th Anniversary year of the apparitions at Fatima on the 13th of every month from April to November. June 13th is tomorrow! Here is the information.

Pray before any statue of Our Lady of Fatima To the faithful who visit with devotion a statue of Our Lady of Fatima solemnly exposed for public veneration in any church, oratory or proper place during the days of the anniversary of the apparitions, the 13th of each month from May to October 2017, and there devoutly participate in some celebration or prayer in honor of the Virgin Mary. In addition, the faithful must pray the Our Father, recite the Creed and invoke Our Lady of Fatima.


Here are the conditions for a plenary indulgence.

If you are a daily Mass goer, I recommend taking a Missal to Mass with you. A friend gave me a Maryknoll Missal and it is a treasure chest of powerful prayers. You can follow the saints feast days with numerous prayers directed towards intercession of each saint. St. Thomas Eucharistic prayers (before and after), prayers during the Mass, etc.

I also recommend bringing a prayer book with indulgences. This is a good one.

Here is an easy one to remember: Saying "My Lord and my God" with ardent love and tender devotion at elevation of the Most Blessed Body and Blood and then bowing your head in humble adoration as priest genuflects - you may obtain a plenary indulgence once a week if said daily and an indulgence of 7 years under usual circumstances.

Prayer before Crucifix with an Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, for the intentions of the Holy Father - plenary indulgence.

Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus,
while before Thy face I humbly kneel and,
with burning soul,
pray and beseech Thee
to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments
of faith, hope and charity;
true contrition for my sins,
and a firm purpose of amendment.
While I contemplate,
with great love and tender pity,
Thy five most precious wounds,
pondering over them within me
and calling to mind the words which David,
Thy prophet, said of Thee, my Jesus:
They have pierced My hands and My feet,
they have numbered all My bones."
Amen.[2]

"Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us" (Thrice)- 7 years.


"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious Blood of Jesus, in satisfaction for my sins and in supplication for the holy souls in purgatory and for the wants of Holy Church" - 500 days

"Mary, though didst enter the world without stain; do thou obtain for me from God, that I may leave it without sin." - 300 days


"O Sacrum Convivium" - 7 years

O sacred banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of His passion is renewed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory given to us.
v. Thou didst give them bread from heaven;
r Containing in itself all sweetness.
Let us pray
O God, Who under a wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of Thy passion; grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy body and blood, as ever to feel within ourselves the fruit of Thy redemption. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen


Anima Christi - 7 year indulgence when said after Communion (300 days ordinarily)

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ's side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels
Forever and ever
Amen




Here's a longer list of indulgences.

Make good use of 1/2 hour your soul is united to Christ's. Be mindful that you are literally a monstrance during that time and act accordingly in your encounters with others, whispering prayers of intercession into Christ's Heart. A prayer of conversion or two for the bozos stampeding the Sanctuary. If He can convert this bozo, he can convert anyone. LMBO.

Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All, How can I love Thee as I ought?