Plenary Indulgence on Christ the King

Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence on Christ the King

- Public recitation of the prayer “Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer - Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King” (listed below)

- Say one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary” for the intentions of the Pope

- Make a Sacramental Confession within a week of (before or after) the Feast of Christ the King

- Worthily receive Holy Communion (ideally on the Feast of Christ the King)

- that one be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin.

Father Tim Finigan at the Hermaneutic of Continuity blog has a good entry on that last point:

Plenary indulgences not impossible

Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer - Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ the King

Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before You. We are Yours, and Yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with You, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Your Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known You; many, too, despising Your precepts, have rejected You. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Your Sacred Heart.

Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken You, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned You; grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of Truth and the unity of Faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.

Grant, O Lord, to Your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honor forever. Amen.

The “Technical” Stuff

“1. An indulgence is the remission in the eyes of God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose culpable element has already been taken away. The Christian faithful who are rightly disposed and observe the definite, prescribed conditions gain this remission through the effective assistance of the Church, which, as the minister of redemption, authoritatively distributes and applies the treasury of the expiatory works of Christ and the Saints.”
- Handbook of Indulgences, Norms

"20. 1. To be capable of gaining indulgences a person must be baptized, not excommunicated, and in the state of grace at least at the time the prescribed works are completed.
2. Actually to gain indulgences the person must have at least the general intention of doing so and must perform the acts enjoined at the time stipulated and in the manner required according to the tenor of the grant."
- Handbook of Indulgences, Norms

“23. 1. Besides the exclusion of all attachment to sin, even venial sin, the requirements for gaining a Plenary Indulgence are the performance of the indulgenced work and fulfillment of three conditions: Sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.
2. Several Plenary Indulgences may be gained on the basis of a single Sacramental Confession; only one may be gained, however, on the basis of a single Eucharistic Communion and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.
3. The three conditions may be carried out several days preceding or following performance of the prescribed work. But it is more fitting that the Communion and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions take place on the day the work is performed.
4. If a person is not fully disposed or if the prescribed work and the three mentioned conditions are not fulfilled, the Indulgence will only be partial ...”
5. The condition requiring prayer for the Pope’s intentions is satisfied by reciting once the Our Father and Hail Mary for his intentions (Pater Noster and Ave Maria); nevertheless all the faithful have the option of reciting any other prayer suited to their own piety and devotion.”
- Handbook of Indulgences, Norms


Grants:
#27. A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously recite the above Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ the King, if it is recited publicly on the feast of our Lord Jesus Christ the King, and piously carry out the precepts in Norm #23 listed above.
- Handbook of Indulgences, Grants
RS

Comparison of Prayers - Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe

Apse Mosaic in Saint Paul's Outside the Walls in Rome
Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui in dilécto Fílio tuo, universórum Rege, ómina instauráre voluísti, concéde propítius, ut tota creatúra, a servitúte liberáta, tuæ maiestáti desérviat ac te sine fine colláudet.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Almighty and merciful, you break the power of evil and make all things new in your Son, Jesus Christ, the King of the universe. May all in heaven and earth acclaim your glory and never cease to praise you.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Almighty and Eternal God, Who wished to restore all things in Your Beloved Son, the King of the universe, graciously grant, that all creatures, having been freed from slavery, may zealously serve Your Majesty and praise You without end.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Hóstiam tibi, Dómine, humánæ reconciliatiónis offeréntes, supplíciter deprecámur, ut ipse Fílius tuus cunctis géntibus unitátis et pacis dona concédat.
Qui vivit et regnat in saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, we offer you the sacrifice by which your Son reconciles mankind. May it bring unity and peace to the world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Offering to You, O Lord, this Victim of man’s reconciliation, we humbly beseech You, that Your Son Himself may grant the gifts of unity and peace to all peoples.
He Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

Preface
Preface of Christ, the King of the Universe

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salutáre, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus:
Qui Unigénitum Fílium tuum, Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Sacerdótem ætérnum et universórum Regem, óleo exsultatiónis unxísti:
ut, seípsum in ara crucis hóstiam immaculátam et pacíficam ófferens, redemptiónis humánæ sacraménta perágeret: et, suo subiéctis império ómnibus creatúris, ætérnum et universále regnum imménsæ tuæ tráderet maiestáti: regnum veritátis et vitæ; regnum sanctitátis et grátiæ; regnum iustítiæ, amóris et pacis.
Et ídeo cum Angelis et Archángelis, cum Thronis et Dominatiónibus, cumque omni milítia cæléstis exércitus, hymnum glóriæ tuæ cánimus, sine fine dicéntes:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus ...

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.
You anointed Jesus Christ, your only Son, with the oil of gladness, as the eternal high priest and universal king.
As priest he offered his life on the altar of the cross and redeemed the human race by this one perfect sacrifice of peace. As king he claims dominion over all creation that he may present to you, his almighty Father, an eternal and universal kingdom: a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace.
And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise:
Holy, holy, holy ...

My Own Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation, that we always and everywhere give thanks to You, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God;
Who anointed with the oil of exultation Your only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, as the Eternal Priest and King of the universe:
so that, offering Himself on the Altar of the Cross as an immaculate and pacifying Victim, to carry out the Sacrament of mankind’s redemption: and thus, with all creatures subject to His rule, He might hand over to Your infinite Majesty an eternal and universal Kingdom: a Kingdom of truth and of life; a Kingdom of sanctity and grace; a Kingdom of justice, love, and peace.
And so, with the Angels and Archangels, with the Thrones and Dominations, and with all the host of the Heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Your Glory, saying without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Immortalitátis alimóniam consecúti, quaésumus, Dómine, ut, qui Christi Regis universórum gloriámur obœdíre mandátis, cum ipso in cælésti regno sine fine vívere valeámus.
Qui vivit et regnat in saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, you give us Christ, the King of all creation, as food for everlasting life. Help us to live by his gospel and bring us to the joy of his kingdom,
where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having received the Food of immortality, we beseech You, O Lord, that, we who glory in being obedient to the commands of Christ, King of the universe, may be worthy to live with Him in His Heavenly Kingdom without end.
He Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

RS

Funeral Masses, case in point

Remember my little rant a few weeks ago about the loss of the proper perspective on All Soul's Day?

Thinking about All Souls Day

Fr. Z has found a real life example:

A very sad Fr. Z and the promise of a Mass

I've been to funerals where the deceased has been "canonized" by the priest during the Mass: "I'm sure that [insert name here] is in Heaven." We can certainly hope that they are, but we can't know for sure until they are officially canonized by the Church. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

So, please pray for the dead. And this weekend on Christ the King you can get another opportunity to try to obtain a plenary indulgence for a soul in Purgatory. Stay tuned ...

RS

Comparison of Prayers - 33rd Sunday "Per Annum"

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Da nobis, quaésumus, Dómine Deus noster, in tua semper devotióne gaudére, quia perpétua est et plena felícitas, si bonórum ómnium iúgiter serviámus auctóri.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Father of all that is good, keep us faithful in serving you, for to serve you is our lasting joy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Grant us, we beseech You, O Lord our God, to always be joyful in our devotion to You, which is our perpetual and complete happiness, if we continually serve You, the Author of all good things.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Concéde, quaésumus, Dómine, ut óculis tuæ maiestátis munus oblátum et grátiam nobis devotiónis obtíneat, et efféctum beátæ perennitátis acquírat.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord God, may the gifts we offer increase our love for you and bring us to eternal life.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Grant, we beseech You, O Lord, that this service offered in the sight of Your Majesty may both obtain for us the grace of devotion, and acquire for us the reward of a blessed eternity.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Súmpsimus, Dómine, sacri dona mystérii, humíliter deprecántes, ut, quæ in sui commemoratiónem nos Fílius tuus fácere præcépit, in nostræ profíciant caritátis augméntum.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Father, may we grow in love by the eucharist we have celebrated in memory of the Lord Jesus,
who is Lord for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray O Lord, we have consumed the Gifts of this Sacred Mystery, humbly praying, that, those things which Your Son has commanded us to do in His remembrance, may be a help in the increasing of our charity.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Prayers for a friend.

For a friend.



Please pray for the repose of the soul of a good friend who passed away today. This has been a rough week.

I don't recommend any other videos by this band, but this video and song are just amazing. And the video actually sort of parallels these last few weeks of his struggle with inoperable cancer.Lyrics.

RS

Benedictine All Souls

"Saint Gregory Delivers the Soul of a Monk"
by Giovanni Battista Crespi
Today is the Commemoration of all the faithful departed of the Benedictine Order.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of all faithful departed Monks, Nuns, and Oblates of the Benedictines.

RS

Benedictine All Saints

"The Glory of Saint Benedict" by Pietro Annigoni
at Monte Cassino
It's not my favorite picture of Saint Benedict, but it is good for today's feast, since it shows Saint Benedict in Heaven surrounded by Benedictine Saints.

Today is the Feast of All the Saints of the Benedictine Order. It's like All Saints but specifically for the Benedictine Order, thus all canonized and uncanonized Benedictines who are in Heaven are honored today. Traditionally, most of the older Orders have an All Saints and All Souls days for their Order. I know the Franciscans have their own, and I'm pretty sure the Cistercians do too.

I've never actually seen it listed in the new calendar, but it is still observed and was given a rank of a Class II feast in the old calendar (which usually translates into a Feast in the new calendar).

So, happy feast day to all my fellow Benedictines.

RS

Tomb of Saint Josaphat

Today is the feast of Saint Josaphat. I've had a devotion to him for awhile, and have tried to visit him every time I go to Rome. He's another Saint who is difficult to get to in Saint Peter's. His remains, as seen above, are in an altar which is in the area reserved for Confessions, and they usually won't let you in unless you are going to confession. I can usually muster up enough Italian to ask to go pray at his tomb, and they usually let me in, I think mainly because I have a beard and they think I am Eastern rite (that defintely was the case once).

On my last trip a month ago I had the great priviledge of learning how to serve the Tridentine Mass. The awesome part was that the second Tridentine Mass I helped serve was a low Tridentine Mass ... in Saint Peter's ... at the altar of Saint Josaphat. It worked out rather Providentially. Father had made arrangements to say Mass, but when we got there, they had not assigned him any altar. They just said to take any altar that was open. So after walking all around and finding every altar taken, we finally ended up at Saint Josaphat, and the priest there was just finishing up his Mass. So, I gently prodded Father in that direction, and that's where we had Mass.

I thought it was pretty appropriate that with Saint Josaphat being a Ruthenian Rite Catholic Bishop that we would say the Tridentine which is much closer to the Eastern Rites (and Tradition) than the Novus Ordo. It was also appropriate that Father Benedict being a monk would say the Mass at the relics of a Martyr who was a monk. Saint Josaphat was also a Martyr for unity between East and West in the Church, and here we had a very beautiful union of East and West and Heaven and earth. You can see the reason they put Saint Josaphat's relics in one of the altars closest to Saint Peter. Definitely a memory I will treasure.

You can read more about Saint Josaphat at Catholic Encyclopedia:

St. Josaphat Kuncevyc at Catholic Encyclopedia

RS

Tomb of Pope Saint Leo the Great

In the Ordinary Form, today is the feast of Pope Saint Leo the Great.



Here you can see where he is buried in the Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City. You can usually see it, but it is harder to get up to the alter itself. For some reason, that area of the basilica is usually closed off, so the closest you can get is about 30 yards away. Your best bet to visit the altar is to got to Saint Peter's right when it opens in the morning and attend one of the low private Masses at this altar. I was blessed last year with the opportunity to do this, so I snapped a couple of pictures afterwards.

So, here's just one of the many Saint's buried in Saint Peter's.

I also encourage you read Pope Saint Leo the Great's homilies. They are often very clear and solid expositions of the Faith.

You've got to love a guy who stood up to Attila the Hun.

RS

Basilica of Saint John Lateran

A few pictures of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.


This is the actual Cathedral of Rome and is where the cathedra of the Pope is.

Cathedra (or chair) of the Pope
The main relics in this Church are pretty important.

The main one is a part of the table from the Last Supper which is high above the Eucharistic Chapel in the left trancept.


The other major relics are up in the top of the baldachino over the papal altar.


The two statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul hold the heads of these two Saints.

Enjoy.

RS

Comparison of Prayers - Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran

Basilica of Saint John in Lateran
The Pope's Cathedral
The prayers for today all come from the Common of the Dedication of a Church.

I am not quite as confident with my translations this week. But, I still think they are better than the I.C.E.L. translations we currently have ... talk about watered down.

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus, qui de vivis et eléctis lapídibus at ætérnum habitáculum tuæ praéparans maiestáti, multíplica in Ecclésia tua spíritum grátiæ, quem dedísti, ut fidélis tibi pópulus in cæléstis ædificatiónem Ierúsalem semper accréscat.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. God our Father, from living stones, your chosen people, you built and eternal temple to your glory. Increase the spiritual gifts you have given to your Church, so that your faithful people may continue to grow in the new and eternal Jerusalem.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O God, You Who prepare from living and chosen stones an eternal dwelling place for your Majesty, increase in Your Church the spirit of grace, which You have given, so that the people faithful to You may always be joined to the edifice of the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Súscipe, quaésumus, Dómine, munus oblátum, et poscéntibus concéde, ut hic sacramentórum virtus et votórum obtineátur efféctus.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, receive our gifts. May we who share this sacrament experience the life and power it promises, and hear the answer to our prayers.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Receive these offered gifts, we beseech You, O Lord, and through our earnest petitioning grant, that the strength of the Sacraments and effect of our vows may be obtained on this occasion.
Through Christ our Lord.

Preface
Preface of the mystery of the Church, which is the Spouse of Christ and the Temple of the Spirit

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salútare, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus:
Qui domum oratiónis muníficus inhabitáre dignáris, ut, grátia tua perpétuis fovénte subsídiis, templum Spíritus Sancti ipse nos perfícias, acceptábilis vitæ splendóre corúscans.
Sed et visibílibus ædifíciis adumbrátam, Christi sponsam Ecclésiam perénni operatióne sanctíficas, ut, innumerábili prole mater exsúltans, in glóriam tuam collocétur in cælis.
Et ídeo, cum Sanctis et Angelis univérsis, te collaudámus, sine fine dicéntes:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus ...

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.
Your house is a house of prayer, and your presence makes it a place of blessing. You give us grace upon grace to build the temple of your Spirit, creating its beauty from the holiness of our lives.
Your house of prayer is also the promise of the Church in heaven. Here your love is always at work, preparing the Church on earth for its heavenly glory as the sinless bride of Christ the joyful mother of a great company of saints.
Now with the saints and all the angels we praise you forever:
Holy, holy, holy ...

My Own Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation, that we always and everywhere give thanks to You, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God:
You Who bountifully deign to dwell within the house of prayer, so that, by sustaining it by Your grace of perpetual help, You Yourself may perfect us, the temple of the Holy Spirit, to shine with the splendor of a pleasing life.
So too the representation of the visible edifice, You sanctify the Church, the spouse of Christ by His everlasting work, so that, as the rejoicing Mother of innumerable offspring, She may be placed in Heaven in Your glory.
And so, with all the Saints and Angels, we sing together to you, saying without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus, qui nobis supérnam Ierúsalem per temporále Ecclésiæ tuæ signum adumbráre voluísti, da, quaésumus, ut, huius participatióne sacraménti, nos tuæ grátiæ templum effícias, et habitatiónem glóriæ tuæ íngredi concédas.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Father, you make your Church on earth a sign of the new and eternal Jerusalem. By sharing in this sacrament may we become the temple of your presence and the home of your glory.
Grant this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O God, You Who deign to represent to us the Heavenly Jerusalem through the temporal sign of Your Church, grant, we beseech You, that, through the participation of this Sacrament, You may make us a temple of Your grace, and may allow us to enter into the dwelling of Your Glory.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

How people got here #110508

Usually people visit this blog because they are looking for pictures, translations, feast day information, information about a particular church in Rome, (and happily) indulgence information. But I enjoy looking through some of the searches that people do to end up on my sight. For example, it used to be that if you looked up "LHC end of the world" I would be the first result on google.

One of the most popular posts is due to people searching for the interpetation of forgiving someone 7x70 or 77 times.

I also get a lot of hits of people looking for a picture of the Body of Saint John Vianney.

I get a lot of hits about the Portiuncula Indulgence on August 2nd.

I also get quite a few hits regarding the monastic diurnal, which I highly recommend.

I actually get a lot of hits for my Michael Jackson autograph, but I would bet most people are looking for the pop singer's autograph and not the beer expert's.

I got one search of "'short road to chaos' 'thomas More'"which seems appropriate for this election time reminding me of a quote from Saint Thomas More.

Oddest search of late: "What does Jet Li chant"

LOL.

RS

Election Results

Hmmm. I just wonder. Did the Democrats really win, or did the Republicans just really lose? I almost consider that there was a "liking" vacuum. I really wonder what the results would have been had those people who only voted against the Republicans because they hate Bush (even though he wasn't even running) hadn't voted. I often got the feeling that even some of the most vocal Obama supporters just needed someone to like and since Obama wasn't Bush, he was the guy.

I think the Republican party, and all conservatives, need to wake up and start being clearer about their views and more intelligent in their arguments. Well, I kind of take that back, not Republicans in general, but the Republicans who are actually running for office. They need to be more direct in addressing and forcing issues and more intelligent and direct in their explanation of the issues.

It's also disturbing to see that so many people voted in a racist or sexist way too. Not only people voting for Obama only because he's Black, but also people voting for McCain only because he chose a woman as a running mate. That's frustrating to me that people would not vote on issues but only on accidental appearances. Sad.

In my opinion this could be an odd blessing in disguise. I think this country has had some dangerous curiosity about socialism. I think even if McCain had been elected, it would have only delayed an inevitable Obama or Obama-like election. Maybe this will be the time where America will hopefully see that socialism is not good for the country, not good for the States, and not good for the individuals. I pray that the American people will see the bad fruit they have wrought, and realize that we need to stop this country from heading into a socialistic society based on our hedonistic desires. We weren't made to be slaves to our passions, and our society is already on that slippery slope. But, I'm not going to gloom and doom, I still think this country has the ability to open it's eyes and see just where our society is headed. I pray we can also have the fortitude as individuals to stop being selfish and to turn the country around.

Pleasure is the new opiate of the masses, and the Democrats promise and use that quite a bit. Sadly though, it does not lead to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but already to leading to death (abortion and euthanasia), slavery (to the passions in sex, homosexual activity, dependance on welfare and social programs, entertainment), and purusit of pleasures (at any cost, even life and liberty).

Well, life goes on, and so we must prepare to fight against anything that will hurt our country no matter which political "side" it comes from. I'd start with the Republican party getting it's act together over these next four years.

RS

Song for November 5th, 2008

This is for Ronny, who would like to sing this song to all those who voted for Obama.

"Head Like A Hole" by Nine Inch Nails

(sorry, couldn't find an embedable version of the video)

RS

Zombie Survival Test

Heh, I guess going through the whole Half-Life/Half-Life 2 series and watching "Shaun of the Dead" help. I'm going to need it to get through the Zobamabies. Found through Fr. Erik Richtsteig's blog



The scary thing is that I've imagined Obama singing the "RE Your Brains" song to me. It's a funny song if you've ever worked in corporate America and like zombie stuff. So head over to Jonathan Coulton's music page and listen to "RE Your Brains." Just go down to "Thing a Week Two" and the last song should be "RE Your Brains", then just click the "Hear" button. It'll be creepy picturing Obama singing it to you.

Note: It is a zombie song, so it does have some descriptions of how zombies attack.

RS

Liturgical "loophole" for another plenary indulgence

Given that in the Extraordinary Form All Souls cannot fall on a Sunday, and so with it being moved to today this year, I would say that it would be possible to obtain another plenary indulgence for a soul in Purgatory today.

I'd also encourage any priests who are saying the Extraordinary Form to say all three Masses which they are allowed to say on this day.

This being the eve of election day, we need all the help from Heaven and Purgatory we can get.

RS

Amateur Catholic Blogger Membership Approved

It took a while (about a year), but I finally got a reply and am now a part of the Amateur Catholic Bloggers. What does that mean? Basically, I get another neat badge to put on my sidebar.

Application posted here:

"Roman Sacristan: Amateur Catholic

Dear http://amateurcatholic.blogspot.com/,
I am a GYS (grizzly young sacristan) seeking relationship with amateur blog membership. I have been plugging away at blogging for about a year and a half (hey, that's about two blog half-lifes!). I like translating the 2002 Missale Romanum, long surfs on the web, liturgically geeky things, and talking about Italy, Rome, and pilgrimages. Hobbies include monastic beers, cooking, theology, and monastic things. Currently working on sanctity and discerning a monastic vocation. Would be willing to post badge. If interested please reply to:
http://romansacristan.blogspot.com
Thanks,
The Roman Sacristan"

RS

Thinking about All Souls Day

Time for a rant
I was just thinking a bit about All Souls Day in relation to getting things ready for the Masses this Sunday. I have to admit, I have been really disappointed with what seems to be a new perspective on the day. It seems like we should stop calling it "All Souls Day" and start calling it "All Saints Part II."

I don't know if it is just me, but when I was looking over the readings, particularly the ones that were "suggested" on the USCCB website, I just found the readings to be completely inappropriate for the occasion.

When I look at All Souls Day, I see a day in which we are focused on praying for all the faithful departed who have died in the state of grace but have had to go to Purgatory. They need our prayers because they are still being purified of their vices, bad habits, and imperfections, which is most likely a suffering. I sort of look at All Souls Day as a really big funeral Mass. And traditionally that is the way it has been treated. In the extraordinary form, you did not have funeral Masses or celebrate All Souls Day on a Sunday. It was just moved to the following Monday. Strangely, I don't think you can have masses for the dead on Sundays in the ordinary form, yet for some reason All Souls Masses can be said on Sunday, even though the Liturgy of the Hours is just taken from what the current Sunday would be if All Souls didn't fall on it.

Like I said, the readings seem totally inappropriate. Instead of helping us understand that those who die most likely have to go through Purgatory, and thus they need our prayers to help release them from their suffering so they can be brought into the Presence of God, the readings seem to overemphasize the resurrection, which is odd because even the damned will be resurrected. The important thing is where we ultimately end up: Heaven or Hell. The readings seem to give the impression that, "when someone dies, they are just shot into the arms of Jesus." The readings seem to tell us they are already saved and in Heaven. It's like the liturgy just says "don't worry about them, they're fine, no reason to pray for them." It's as though they (whoever "they" are) don't want us to think that just maybe we might be punished for our sins, even if it is a temporary punishment for those who die in the state of grace.

Anyway, I just want to re-emphasize that God is a just God and we all will have to make amends for our sins. Yet, God is a merciful God too. However, it is our duty in the Church Militant to pray for and help as much as possible our brethren in the Church Suffering. This is why I try to help explain plenary indulgences and how to obtain them. So, please on All Souls try to obtain a plenary indulgence for a poor soul in purgatory. And always remember to pray for the faithful departed. I especially like to pray for those who are suffering the most in purgatory and for those who have no one to pray for them.

And remember, this also applies to funerals as well. We certainly hope that the person died in the state of grace, but even if they did, we need to pray for them so that if they are in Purgatory, God will be merciful and bring them to Himself.

Anyway, yes, I'm tired and had to rant a bit, but I just wanted to add my reflections on All Souls Day and hopefully correct some of this improper perspective that has crept into the liturgy in the last 40 years.

RS

Weekend Recap

Quick links to all the stuff for this weekend.

How to obtain a plenary indulgence for a soul in Purgatory on All Souls Day

Comparison of Prayers - Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed - Mass III

Comparison of Prayers - Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed - Mass II

Comparison of Prayers - Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed - Mass I

Comparison of Prayers - Solemnity of All Saints

RS

Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence for a soul in Purgatory on All Souls Day

"Saint Gregory Delivers the Soul of a Monk" by Giovanni Battista Crespi
Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence for a soul in Purgatory on All Souls Day (Nov. 2nd)

- Piously visit a church to pray for the faithful departed on November 2nd.

- Say one “Our Father” and the “Creed” in the visit to the church

- Say one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary” for the intentions of the Pope

- Worthily receive Holy Communion (ideally on the same day)

- Make a Sacramental Confession within a week of (before or after) All Souls Day

- that one be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin.

The “Technical” Stuff

“1. An indulgence is the remission in the eyes of God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose culpable element has already been taken away. The Christian faithful who are rightly disposed and observe the definite, prescribed conditions gain this remission through the effective assistance of the Church, which, as the minister of redemption, authoritatively distributes and applies the treasury of the expiatory works of Christ and the Saints.”
- Handbook of Indulgences, Norms

“22. The prescribed work for gaining a plenary indulgence attached to a church or oratory is a devout visit there, which includes the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed (Pater Noster and Credo), unless otherwise stated in a specific grant.”
- Handbook of Indulgences, Norms

“23. 1. Besides the exclusion of all attachment to sin, even venial sin, the requirements for gaining a Plenary Indulgence are the performance of the indulgenced work and fulfillment of three conditions: Sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.
2. Several Plenary Indulgences may be gained on the basis of a single Sacramental Confession; only one may be gained, however, on the basis of a single Eucharistic Communion and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.
3. The three conditions may be carried out several days preceding or following performance of the prescribed work. But it is more fitting that the Communion and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions take place on the day the work is performed.
4. If a person is not fully disposed or if the prescribed work and the three mentioned conditions are not fulfilled, the Indulgence will only be partial ...”
5. The condition requiring prayer for the Pope’s intentions is satisfied by reciting once the Our Father and Hail Mary for his intentions (Pater Noster and Ave Maria); nevertheless all the faithful have the option of reciting any other prayer suited to their own piety and devotion.”
- Handbook of Indulgences, Norms


"67. Visiting a Church or an Oratory on All Souls Day

A PlenaryIindulgence, which is applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory is granted to the Christian faithful who devoutly visit a church or an oratory on (November 2nd,) All Souls Day."
- Handbook of Indulgences, Grants

For some understanding on indulgences themselves see:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church on Indulgences

RS