Wake up Church!
The Jubilee year is almost over and this may be the only Jubilee Year you will live to see.
Indulgences?
Avail yourself to the extraordinary graces that are available to you this year. Don’t be robbed of your FULL Faith inheritance throughout the New Millennium!
One night during adoration of the Blessed Sacrament I began to grieve. I wasn’t even thinking about the Jubilee year, I was actually praying for other intentions. The thought that came to mind was, “My people are not availing themselves of the richness and treasures that have been put at their disposal in this year of Jubilee.” I sensed real grief. I began to reflect and pray on this word and realized there are only a few months left of the year 2000 and I might never experience another Jubilee year on earth. I realized I have not taken the time to be educated or to instruct my family about why this is such a sacred time. I also became convinced that I need to do what I can to make up for lost time.
I ordered a set of tapes by Scott Hahn called “Indulge Yourself.” It offers an excellent explanation of Church History and a practical experience of Indulgence. He himself was against Indulgences before his conversion. Through his own study and experience, he realized how important it is to understand and then take advantage of these graces. You can order this set of tapes from St. Joseph’s Communications at 1-800-526-2151.
As I began to share with some friends about Indulgences, I heard several families were taking mini-pilgrimages once per month. They would go to confession, go to mass and then immediately go to a designated church. They would pray their prayers and ask for the graces of the Jubilee. It is really neat when families can do this. When families are divided because of different beliefs, it may be important to share this pamphlet and encourage whoever will go with you to please go. Within the family, give those that choose not to go the freedom to stay at home. You may have to go by yourself. Do not be robbed of this gift because others do not share your beliefs.
My first spiritual experience in the year of Jubilee with indulgences was at St. Thomas Aquinas in Sugar Land, Texas. We were having a three-day mission on Evangelization to kick off our “Disciples in Mission” program. Our pastor strongly encouraged all parishioners to be there. Our guest speaker was Father Bruce Nieli speaking on ‘Evangelization in the Spirit of Jubilee 2000."
The first night, I felt as though I had to drag myself there because my day had been full of demands and the next day didn’t appear to be any lighter. To be honest with you, I went specifically because I didn’t want to disappoint my pastor. Father Nieli presented his teaching during the homily of the mass. He also offered to hear confessions after mass. I really wanted to go to confession, but the line was so long and I needed to get home. I planned to be first in line the following night.
The next night, I came even though I was exhausted from my day. I attended with an excited expectancy to hear what Father Nieli had to say and also to celebrate the Eucharist. I thought, “If only the rest of our parish knew what they were missing they would surely be here, too.” It wasn’t just Fr. Nieli’s presentation, but the whole evening. We had worship, teaching and the Eucharist. What a feast! You can’t beat that! After mass, as I planned, I made sure I was one of the first in line for confession. There was something in my heart I needed to take care of.
I knew, no matter what would happen, I wouldn’t miss the last night of our three-day mission. The evening exceeded my expectations. It was excellent. At the closing, Father Bruce Nieli announced that he had been given the authority by the Pope to give an apostolic blessing to all those attending the mission, and those attending would receive all the Indulgences attached to this blessing. Well, to my surprise as he lifted his hand in blessing, I had a very tangible experience of something actually wiping or scrubbing my heart clean. It was as if I had been given a clean slate. I was ecstatic that I received a gift I wasn’t expecting. My son, being there out of the act of obedience, also received this apostolic blessing and reception of Indulgences.
Indulgence is a removal of temporal punishment due to sin. I don’t understand how it works, but I don’t understand the Trinity, it is a mystery, yet I believe it. I don’t understand electricity and yet it exists. I do not fully understand what happened that night, but I know I felt as if someone scrubbed my heart clean. I touched the young lady in front of me and excitedly told her what happened and she too felt something. There were many people that experienced some tangible experience.
Now, will you be blessed with a tangible experience when you pray for and ask for indulgences ? We are a pilgrim people that walk by faith and not by sight. You may or may not experience something tangible, but rest assured the grace will be there if your heart is right.
By comparison, I will give an example that might help the understanding of Indulgences. My son-in-law was playing ball in our home and hit one of my nice pictures. The glass broke. He asked me for forgiveness and I forgave him, but the glass still needed replacement. Well, to me the blessing of Indulgences is similar. Not only is my son-in-law forgiven, but it would be as though I told my son-in-law that I would pay to have the picture fixed. His slate would be wiped clean. How can I NOT do this after what the Lord has done for me? My sins have been forgiven and through the apostolic blessing and Indulgences, not only are my sins forgiven, but also by the blood of Jesus Christ my debt is lifted. That saving grace was applied to me that night with the gift of the apostolic blessing and reception of Indulgences.
Father Bruce Nieli led us in a renewal of baptismal promises and commitment to follow Jesus as Lord, to study the word of God and the teachings of the Church. This is the apostolic faith that has been handed down to us for 2000 years. When I arrived home this last night of the mission, I felt like I had just been baptized and washed clean like a newborn baby. I remember thinking; “Lord if this is as clean as my heart is going to get, then take me home now before I get all cluttered up again.” I hastened to add, “I’m not quite ready yet, there is plenty I need to do, but You know the future better than 1, and I want to go when my heart is clean.” I know something happened and only in eternity will I be able to understand it. I remember thinking there are times when the President or governor can grant a pardon and a person’s record is wiped clean. There is no longer any trace of criminal activity on his record. Doesn’t the Church have even greater authority when in scripture Christ delegated to the apostles the authority when He said,
“I assure you, whatever you declare bound on earth shall be held bound in heaven, and whatever you declare loosed on earth shall be held loosed in heaven.”
Matt 18:17-18
There is more in scripture about the authority of the apostles and their successors;
“He who hears you, hears me. He who rejects you, rejects me.
And he who rejects me, rejects him who sent me.”
Luke 10:16
“If you forgive men’s sins, they are forgiven them;
if you hold them bound, they are held bound.”
John 20:23
This is the year of Jubilee, don’t be robbed of your full faith inheritance because of the pressures and responsibilities of life. Avail yourself to as many graces as you can this year through the sacraments, devotions and opportunities the church has set up for you to receive.
Check the Internet to further your understanding of Indulgences. Check also for the opportunities to receive special blessings and indulgences. Open Wide the Doors to Christ and celebrate the year of Jubilee. Is there someone in your life you still cannot forgive? Is there someone you are angry with? Give them the grace of the Jubilee and set them free, and in the process set yourself free.
The following are excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
Indulgences
1471 The doctrine and practice of indulgences in the Church are closely linked to the effects of the sacrament of Penance.
What is an indulgence?
“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.”
“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 indulgences for themselves or apply them to the dead. NT
The punishments of sin
1472 To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the “eternal punishment” of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the “temporal punishment” of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.
1473 The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail 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 strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace. He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the “old man” and to put on the “new man.”
Indulgences can be gained by
1. Worthily celebrating the sacrament of confession and strive for a true conversion of heart.
2. Participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and receive communion, preferably on the same day that the indulgence work is performed.
3. Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father by devoutly reciting one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and a profession of faith (the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed.)
4. Make a pilgrimage to a church designated by a local archbishop or bishop.
You can also gain an indulgence by visiting people in need or in difficulty - including the sick, the imprisoned, the elderly living alone and the handicapped. Fasting or abstaining for a least one whole day from unnecessary consumption, such as from drinking alcohol or smoking, then giving the money saved to the poor. Giving a “significant contribution” to religious or social works such as those benefiting abandoned children, troubled youths or immigrants and devoting time to activities benefiting the community.
“The Lord said to him: “You, Pharisees!
You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,
but within you are filled with rapaciousness and evil. Fools!
Did not he who made the outside make the inside too?
But if you give what you have as alms, all will be wiped clean for you.”
Luke 11:39-41
It is my understanding that alms are above and beyond your tithe. It stands to reason that the Lord is asking us to give alms because there is a scripture that reads, “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” Jesus is after our heart. When we give alms we are having to die to self for the sake of some one else.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Luke 12:34
Pilgrims are encouraged to pray for the gifts of the Jubilee - forgiveness, reconciliation and conversion. When you visit a church, shrine or a designated place of pilgrimage for the Holy Year, pray the Pilgrims Prayer as you pause and reflect on the mysteries of the faith.
All honor and glory, praise and thanksgiving to you loving Father
in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord,
and in the power of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
To you we come, Father, on our pilgrimage of faith to praise you for the gifts of your Son - born of Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit for our sake -
and the wonders of His life in us.
Keep us His faithful disciples to do your will as we continue our journey of faith into the new Millennium. We pray that our reflection on the mysteries of our faith may bring us ever closer to Jesus and His Body, the Church. Led by the gentle guidance of your Holy Spirit, may your grace work through us to recreate the face of the earth.
Give us strength to proclaim your word with courage in the work of the new evangelization, so that the world may know new hope.
Our Lady of Guadalupe,
Mother of the Americas, pray for us.
Amen.
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary that never was it known that anyone who fled your protection, implore your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins our Mother, to you we come, before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the World Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us. Amen
Indulgences can be obtained throughout the new millennium, but special graces are available in a year of Jubilee. When the Jubilee is over, don’t wait to gain indulgences until the next Jubilee (if you should live so long), continue to avail yourself to the grace and understanding of indulgences.
Arlene
Make plans to visit the Pilgrimage Visitation Sites in the
Diocese of Galveston-Houston
Annunciation - 1618 Texas Ave., Houston, Texas 77001
713-222-2289
Our Lady of Guadalupe, 2405 Navigation Blvd., Houston, Texas 77003 713-222-0203
Prince of Peace - 19222 Tom Ball Pkwy., Houston, Texas 77070
713-469-2686
St. Joseph - 101 Elmore, New Waverly, Texas 77358
409-344-6104
St. Joseph on the Brazos - Rt. 4, Box 4100, Brazoria, Texas 77422
409-798-2288
St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, 2011 Church Street, Galveston, Texas 77550 409-762-9611
St. Nicholas - 2508 Clay Street, Houston, Texas 77003
713 -223-5210
Acknowledgments
Excerpts from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for use in the United States of America Copyright (c) 1994, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.-Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Excerpts from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Modifications from the “Editio Typica” Copyright (c) 1997, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.-Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
Scriptures quotes from the New American Bilble.
Please study further from these resources
1. Hahn, Scott. Indulge Yourself. Audiotapes from St. Joseph’s Communications. 1-800-526-2151
2. Diocese of Galveston-Houston website http://www.diocese-gal-hou.org/galhoujubileechurches.htm
3. Burke, Greg. “Catch the Jubilee Spirit” - Vatican Column - Columbia 4, September 1999
4. Drummey, James J. Catholic Replies
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