The Portiuncula Pardon (Indulgence) - August 2

There are very few Christian concepts that cause more confusion than that of indulgences. Considering the scandal associated with them immediately prior to the Protestant Reformation, it's little wonder that some non-Catholics view indulgences with suspicion. In actuality, indulgences are a beautiful concept that fits it perfectly with the Christian idea of God's mercy, justice, love and forgiving nature. In fact, if indulgences didn't exist or weren't allowed by the Christian community, many serious questions about God's real nature would immediately pop up. First and foremost, indulgences DO NOT and CAN NOT forgive sins. Only the Sacrament of Reconciliation, offered through God's grace, can do that. However, simply forgiving a sin doesn't wipe out our guilt. Imagine someone committing mass genocide and then rushing to a priest asking for forgiveness. The sin, if the penitent is sincere, is certainly forgiven, but what does that mean to those who have been killed and worse, those family and friends who survive them? Serious spiritual damage has been done and must be addressed. If a nail is hammered into a piece of wood, it can still be extracted. This is the nature of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The problem, however, is that the hole produced by the nail is still there. This is where indulgences come into play. An indulgence heals the spiritual damage we've caused to those around us and the relationship we hope to develop with Christ. Indulgences should never have been sold under any circumstances and doing so risks the sin of simony. But, this is no way means we should discard the spiritual good created by indulgences. One important indulgence that is offered to Christians this month (August 2) is called the Portiuncula Pardon. The conditions to obtain the Plenary Indulgence of the Forgiveness of Assisi are (for oneself or for a departed soul) as follows: - Sacramental Confession to be in God’s grace (during eight days before or after) - Participation in the Holy Mass and Eucharist - Recitation of The Apostles Creed, Our Father and a prayer for the Pope’s Intention. The Portiuncula Pardon is a grace not to miss not only for yourself but for the many suffering souls in Purgatory. Mark your calendar for the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, August 2. Tell everyone of the magnitude of this gift. Once again, we see the unfathomable Divine Mercy of God. In the words of St Francis: “O my Brothers and Sisters, I want you all to go to Heaven!” It cannot be denied that this indulgence is one of the most precious favors that comes to us from the treasury of the divine mercy. Not only the Vicar of Christ but Christ Himself granted it at the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of Mercy. It is recorded that when the pope first granted his approval, St Francis departed without having obtained a written document as a testimonial. When his attention was drawn to the fact, St Francis remarked: "God Himself will testify to this indulgence." Was that not actually verified by the great confidence of all Christians? One may well say of this indulgence what was said of the gracious condescension of our Lord in the Incarnation: "Through the heart of the mercy of our God, the Orient from on High has visited us unto the remission of sins." (Luke 1:78) Who would not use this day of grace well? (From The Franciscan Book Of Saints edited by Marion Habig, ofm)