On Wednesday, October 26,
parishioners in my parish are invited to make a pilgrimage to La Salette Shrine
in Attleboro, to pass through the Holy Doors of Mercy.
Why should we walk through
the Holy Doors of Mercy? Because Our
Holy Father has granted a special indulgence for those pilgrims who pass
through the designated doors.
What!!!!!!! Are there still such a thing as
indulgences? Didn’t the church do away
with them?
Yes there are still
indulgences. No the church would not do
away with a tried and true way of forgiveness.
God is always ready to forgive, especially for us sinners who go out of
our way to seek God’s mercy.
Jubilee years are celebrations
which have been well recorded in history.
Slaves were freed and debts forgiven, during jubilee years. The pope is
carrying on the tradition. Pope Francis
explains this in his decree (Misericordiae Vultus.) Essentially, the decree states that through
the mediation of the church the conflicting consequences of sin are
forgiven. Yes, the sacrament of
Reconciliation works—our sins are truly forgiven. However, those sins, though forgiven, have
left negative thoughts. Haven’t you also
forgiven spouses, friends and children, yet still feel the negative effects? Well,
the mercy of God is stronger than sin.
It becomes an indulgence from God, through the Church to pardon and free
the sinner from all residues left by the consequence of sin. With an indulgence, we can freely grow more
in love than fall into sin.
When pilgrims consciously
pass through the Holy Doors of Mercy with the intent of gaining an indulgence,
they gain God’s indulgent mercy. One must also be repentant and receive
Communion, at least a spiritual communion, to wish to receive the
indulgence.
For more information
regarding indulgences visit the following references: Father Ron Rolheiser’s
article in the Pilot, http://www.thebostonpilot.com/opinion/article.asp?ID=177488,
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/myths-about-indulgences
and http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07783a.htm
