An indulgence is attached to the work: ACT OF REPARATION
For Who: Anyone
For When: on the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
For Where: Publicly; (partial)- Privately; Anywhere
Partial or Plenary: Both
As written in the Manuel of Indulgences, under Grant 3:
3
ACT OF REPARATION
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, on the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, publicly recite the act of reparation (Iesu dulcissime); a partial indulgence is granted for its use in other circumstances.
**The prayer Act of Reparation (Iesu dulcissime) is provided. [Bottom of Article]
So, a PLENARY Indulgence is granted to those who, in addition to fulfilling all the other requirements, publicly recite the Act of Reparation prayer on the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
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A PARTIAL Indulgence is granted to those who recite this prayer, who either intending to only obtaining a partial indulgence this way, or to those attempting to gain a plenary indulgence but they fail to obtain it in some way or another. Some examples of what this may look like are:
1) The Act of Reparation is recited on another day other then this solemnity
2) The Act of Reparation is privately recited/not publicly recited
3) The other conditions necessary to gain a Plenary Indulgence are less than fulfilled.
4) One’s state of heart is contrite, but not fully detached from affections towards sin.
5)Though qualifiable in every other way, a Plenary Indulgence has already been obtained for that day in another way.
These are a few instances that would lead to a partial indulgence, either by choice or by accident.
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Examining further, please allow me to address portions of this indulgence so that we may ponder deeper as to what are reasonable perimeters and expectations to have as we attempt to gain this indulgence:
Addressing “solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus”
This solemnity is celebrated on the second Friday following Trinity Sunday, and 19 days following Pentecost.This solemnity/devotion especially emphasizes the unmitigated love, compassion, and long-suffering of the heart of Christ towards humanity. The next three dates that this solemnity will fall on are: 7 June 2024 / 27 June 2025 / 12 June 2026
Addressing “publicly recite”
Previously, in anther post, we examined what it means to “Recite.” Although definitions for this word very slightly, all of them imply a similar theme. The definitions make use of words such as repeat, reply, answer, and read aloud. This gives a heavy impression that to “recite” involves some measure of vocalization. In the case of this Grant I can state this more assuradly since, in order to fulfill this Grant one must recite this prayer publicly (which couldn’t be done through simple mental prayer.)
Now, you may be wondering what are the perimeters as to how we recite this prayer publicly. Or, if you have a fear of public speaking, you may even find this Grant to be daunting or unappealing. Luckily the Church provides a perfect, low pressure occasion in which we may recite this prayer. Namely, within the context of that days Mass or related celebrations. Reciting this prayer along with the rest of the congregation certainly fulfills this requirement.
Now “Publicly” is defined in the dictionary as such: so as to be seen by other people; in public. However, Catholic sources imply that in the ecclesial context “public” refers to the Church’s liturgy/her official formal prayers. Exactly which form of ‘public’ is being referred to here, Im not sure. If this Grant refers to ‘publicly’ in the ecclesial context, then this has already been mentioned above. One should seek that days Mass or related celebrations where the prayer should be said. But just in case this does not strictly refer to the ecclesial context, but rather refers to general public interactions, I continue on...
If one misses the opportunity to recite this prayer amongst their parish family, under the dictionary’s definition, this would certainly not end the opportunity to gain this indulgence.Certainly if one where to go out on their own into a public space, that should qualify them for obtaining this indulgence. I would speculate that the location would not have to be a heavily populated place, or that anyone from the public has to be there at the time that one begins to recite the prayer. However, the prayer would have to be vocalized (even at a quiet level), and one should not enter this work with the mindset that they would prematurely withdraw or end the prayer if someone from the public were to notice them.
Now, with the deepest sympathy to the persecuted Church around the world, and still under the dictionary’s definition; If you have fulfilled the standard conditions for a Plenary Indulgence (Confession, Communion, and prayer for the Pope) and your heart is in the right state for it (detached from sin) BUT you are unable to recite this prayer in a public atmosphere safely, please remember that there are other means of gaining Plenary indulgences in a day. Reading scripture and praying a rosary, both done under appropriate conditions, may prove to be a safer alternatives.
Addressing “other circumstances”
This would refer to using this prayer on another day, by praying it privately at any point in time, or (by continuing with the thought that to ‘recite’ involves some level of outward vocalization) if the prayer is prayed mentally.
And there we have it, Grant 3, short and sweet! I hope this has been helpful. Indulgences can be a confusing topic so please feel free to leave your thoughts and questions. I hope to address all I can so that we can come to know this hidden gem of the Catholic Faith.
**As mentioned above here is that prayer, Act of Reparation (Iesu dulcissime), provided alongside this indulgence:
Iesu dulcissime
Most sweet Jesus, whose overflowing charity for men is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence, and contempt, behold us prostrate before you, eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries to which your loving Heart is everywhere subjected.
Mindful, alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask your pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation, not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those who, straying far from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow you, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the promises of their Baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of your law.
We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against you; we are determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in indecent dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holydays, and for the shocking blasphemies uttered against you and your Saints. We wish also to make amends for the insults to which your Vicar on earth and your priests are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of your divine love, and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which you have founded.
Would that we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of your divine honor, the satisfaction you once made to your Eternal Father on the cross and which you continue to renew daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of your Virgin Mother and all the saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of your grace, for all neglect of your great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth, we will live a life of unswerving faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the Gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to
prevent others from offending you and to bring as many as possible to follow you.O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mother, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to you, that we may all one day come to that happy home, where
with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, for ever and ever. Amen.
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