Indulgence

I find myself indulging in time wasters (does that include bloggin?) these past few days. I then find myself yearning to crawl back to how things were...when I am still pampering myself with prayer. And because I cannot do this alone, I need all the grace I need (do pray for me). And just as I have been indulging myself these past days, I'd like to tell you about a different indulgence... Indulgences from the Church, poured out to us out of Jesus' merits from His sacrifice on the Cross (and this is "bottomless" so to speak). These indulgences instead of pulling us away from God's grace puts us to the heart of it, closer to God through His Mercy.

So how do you prepare?

• You should be a baptized Catholic
• You should INTEND to receive the indulgence
• Receive holy communion on the same day
• Pray for the intention of the Pope (Our father , Hail Mary offered for his intentions)
• Go to Confession within one week before and after the date
• Exclusion from any sin, even venial sins.

On what occasions do you get them? Everyday if you want! When you do at least ONE of these...

• Visit to the Holy Sacrament for half an hour
• Reading the Bible for half an hour
• Stations of the Cross
• Praying the Rosary in Church or with Family
• Visiting a parish on their Feast day

Those are the easy, handy ones. Of course you could make extra effort to remember these Occassions too...

• March 19 - St. Joseph's Feast Day
• June 19 - Sts Peter and Paul Feast Day
• September 14 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross
• September 29 - Feast Day of teh Archgangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael
• December 27 - Feast of St. John the Apostle
• All Holy days of Obligation
• All Fridays of Lent
• At the hour of death ... it's never too late!

But wait! There's more!!!!

Partial indulgences are also given when we offer up our sufferings , work, say small prayers, etc.

"In God's mercy, not a tear from a repentant heart is wasted."

REMEMBER THAT CHECK!