We are evaluating old indulgences that have been approve on todays date of:
February
25
List of Traditional materials we will be looking at today, and the current/withstanding grants that they satisfy (directly or indirectly).
132. a) Hail, saving Victim / b) Hail, Precious Blood / c) Be mindful, O Lord
partial indulgence… General Grant 1 or Grant 15
142. Adoration of the Host during the elevation at Mass
Notwithstanding
146. Genuflect before the Blessed Sacrament
possible partial indulgence… General Grant 4
159. How delectable is the Sweetness
partial indulgence… Grant 8
164. Formulas (a) My Jesus, I believe / (b) At thy feet, O my Jesus
partial indulgence… Grant 8
170. A Novena before the Feast of Corpus Christi
partial indulgence… Grant 22
178. I adore Thee profoundly,
partial indulgence… Grant 7
182. O my Lord Jesus Christ
partial indulgence… Grant 7
258. I give myself and consecrate
partial indulgence… Grant 15
315. Holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God
partial indulgence… General Grant 1
556. A Prayer - O glorious Saint John Bosco
partial indulgence… Grant 21
NOTE:
Every prayer may be eligible for a partial indulgence, if applied correctly, under Grant 15.
Every invocation may be eligible for a partial indulgence, if applied correctly, under ‘General Grant ’ 1
Every practice may be eligible for a partial indulgence, if it is applied correctly, under one of the ‘General Grant’s 2, 3, or 4
Some spelling errors may be present.
Abbreviations that are found at the end of an indulgence prayer/practice (like S. P. Ap., and S. C. Ind.,) are, in essence, a specific ecclesiastical approval for a particular indulgence.
Traditional indulgences are ordered by their last date of approval.
The full written outline of the requirements for a partial or plenary indulgence, found at the end of an indulgence prayer/practice, may be omitted if not all of the information is unique or notable. (You will see three dots when there is a break in text …)
CHAPTER III. ‘GOD THE SON’ – Art. IV. - “JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – I. Ejaculations and Invocations.
132. a) Hail, saving Victim, offered for me and for all mankind upon the gibbet of the Cross.
b) Hail, Precious Blood, flowing from the wounds of our crucified Lord Jesus Christ, and washing away the sins of the whole world.
c) Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy creature, whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy Precious Blood.
An indulgence of 500 days for each of these ejaculations, even when separately recited, if said during the elevation in the Mass (S. C. Ind., June 30, 1893; S. P. Ap., Feb. 25, 1933).
These Ejaculations (aka. Ejaculatory Prayer) can be seen in two ways. Firstly, if Ejaculations are more similar to Invocations (which they are categorically paired with) then these would be offered an indulgence under ‘General Grant’ 1. Every invocation may be eligible for a partial indulgence under this Grant. The specific reference in the 'Manuel of Indulgences' is as follows: A partial indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who, while carrying out their duties and enduring the hardships of life, raise their minds in humble trust to God and make, at least mentally, some pious invocation.
However, the second option is, if Ejaculatory Prayers are more closely related to “Prayers” then this would be offered an indulgence under Grant 15. Every prayer may be eligible for a partial indulgence under this Grant. The specific reference in the 'Manuel of Indulgences' is as follows: A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who for their personal edification devoutly spend time in mental prayer.
CHAPTER III. ‘GOD THE SON’ – Art. IV. - “JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – II. ACTS OF ADORATION
142. The faithful who recite some prayer at the sound of the bell for the elevation at Mass, wherever they may be, are granted: an indulgence of 300 days (Gregory XIII, Constitutions “Ad excirandum Apr. 10, 1580; S. P. Ap., Feb. 25, 1933)
This indulgence is notwithstanding. Certainly, in one’s own personal piety, the faithful may still do this sort of action/praying, and they may even gain an indulgence by general adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Grant 7). But reciting prayers at this specific moment is not its own indulgence.
CHAPTER III. ‘GOD THE SON’ – Art. IV. - “JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – II. ACTS OF ADORATION
146. a) The faithful who pay the homage of a due genuflect before the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle, at the same time reciting the following or similar ejaculation: Jesus, My God, I adore Thee here present in the Sacrament of Thy love! may gain: An indulgence of 300 days;
b) If they duly genuflect on both knees before the Blessed Sacrament solemnly exposed to the adoration of the faithful, reciting the above-mentioned prayer, or one like it: An indulgence of 500 days;
c) If they make some outward sign of reverence when passing a church or oratory where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved: An indulgence of 300 days (Pius X, Rescript in his own hand, June 28, 1908, exhib., July 3, 1908; S. C. of the Holy Off., Mar. 22, 1917; S.P. Ap., Feb. 25, 1933).
Similar to the indulgence above (# 142) this indulgence as a whole is notwithstanding. Out of personal piety, the faithful may still practice these things and maybe gain an indulgence. But these items don’t have their own specific indulgences.
But before we move on I would like to mention General Grant 4. That Grant stays this: “A partial indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who, in the particular circumstances of daily life, voluntarily give explicit witness to their faith before others.” This would be one of the grants that this traditional indulgence may fall under, even though this is not a grant singularly dedicated to the action of genuflecting.
CHAPTER III. ‘GOD THE SON’ – Art. IV. - “JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – V. Thanksgiving after Communion
159. How delectable is the Sweetness of Thy heavenly Bread! How admirable is the tranquillity and how perfect the peace of him who receives Thee, after the contrite and sincere confession of his sins! Be Thou blessed a thousand times, my Jesus! When I was in sin, I was unhappy; but now not only is my soul at peace, but I seem to have a foretaste of the peace of paradise! Ah, how true it is, that our hearts were made for Thee, my beloved Lord, and that they rest only when they rest in Thee! Therefore do I give Thee thanks and firmly purpose evermore to avoid sin and its occasions and to fix my abode in Thy divine Heart, whence I look for help to love Thee even unto death. Amen. An indulgence of 500 days. A plenary indulgence once a month for the daily repetition of this prayer on condition of sacramental confession, a visit to a church or public oratory and prayer for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff (S. C. Ind., June 3, 1896; S. P. Ap., Feb. 25, 1933).
Because this is listed as a prayer under the category of Thanksgiving after Communion, then this prayer would apply to Grant 8.This grant says that a prayer must be ‘duly approved,’ which it is. The specific reference in the 'Manuel of Indulgences' is as follows: A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who, using any duly approved pious formula, make an act of thanksgiving after Communion.
CHAPTER III. ‘GOD THE SON’ – Art. IV. - “JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – VII. An Act of Spiritual Communion
164. To the faithful who make an act of spiritual Communion, using any formula they may choose, there is granted: An indulgence of 3 years; A plenary indulgence once a month on the usual conditions when the act is preformed every day of the month (S. P. Ap., Mar. 7, 1927 and Feb 25, 1933)
The following forms of prayer are given as examples of spiritual Communion
a) My Jesus, I believe that Thou art present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love Thee above all things and I desire Thee in my soul. Since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though thou wert already there, I embrace Thee and unite myself wholly to Thee; permit not that I should ever be separated from Thee (St. Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori).
b) At Thy feet, O my Jesus, I prostrate myself and I offer Thee the repentance of my contrite heart, which is humbled in its nothingness and in Thy holy presence. I adore Thee in the Sacrament of Thy love, the ineffable Eucharist. I desire to receive Thee into the poor dwelling that my heart offers Thee. While waiting for the happiness of sacramental Communion, I wish to possess Thee in spirit. Come to me, O my Jesus, since I, for my part, am coming to Thee! May Thy love embrace my whole being in life and in death. I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee. Amen (Raphael Cardinal Merry del Val).
Acts/prayers of spiritual Communion are covered under Grant 8 as well. Because two councils/dates are listed, I presume that these two prayer options are officially duly-approved. The specific reference in the 'Manuel of Indulgences' is as follows: A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who, using any duly approved pious formula, make an act of spiritual communion.
CHAPTER III. ‘GOD THE SON’ – Art. IV. - “JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT - IX. Pious Practices
170. A Novena before the Feast of Corpus Christi - The faithful, who devoutly take part in a public novena before the Feast of Corpus Christi, may gain: An indulgence of 10 years each day of the novena; A plenary indulgence, if they assist at five of the novena exercises, make their confession, receive holy Communion and pray for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff.
Those who, at the aforesaid season, privately offer their prayers and devout homage in honor of the most holy Body of Christ with the intention of so continuing for nine successive days, may obtain: An indulgence of 7 years once each day; A plenary indulgence on the usual conditions at the end of the novena; however, where a public novena is held, these indulgences are available only to those who are legitimately hindered from assisting at the public exercises (S. C. Ind., May 8, 1907; S. P. Ap., Feb. 25, 1933).
This devout practice would fall under Grant 22, for novenas. For an indulgence, novenas need to be said “publicly,” which is generally understood that a parish or diocese or the Church at large set-up/approves a novena to be said by the laity. You cannot do it only on your own or in a group that is not sets/approved by a current ecclesiastic authority. Novenas like these, known as ‘private’ novenas, are notwithstanding for an indulgence.
The specific reference in the 'Manuel of Indulgences' is as follows: A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly assist at public novenas
CHAPTER III. ‘GOD THE SON’ – Art. IV. - “JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – X. Acts of Adoration, Reparation, and Thanksgiving
178. An Act of Adoration and Reparation – I adore Thee profoundly, O my Jesus, in Thy sacramental form; I acknowledge Thee to be true God and true Man, and by this act of adoration I intend to atone for the coldness of so many Christians who pass before Thy churches and sometimes before the very Tabernacle in which Thou art pleased to remain at all hours with loving impatience to give Thyself to Thy faithful people, and do not so much as bend the knee before Thee, and who, by their indifference proclaim that they grow weary of this heavenly manna, like the people of Israel in the wilderness. I offer Thee in reparation for this grievous negligence, the Most Precious Blood which Thou didst shed from Thy five wounds, and especially from Thy sacred Side, and entering therein, I repeat a thousand times with true recollection of spirit:
[O Sacrament most holy! O Sacrament divine! All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.] Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
II. Profoundly I adore Thee, my Jesus; I acknowledge Thy presence in the Blessed Sacrament, and by this act of adoration I intend to atone for the carelessness of so many Christians who see Thee carried to poor sick people to strengthen them for the great journey to eternity, and leave Thee unescorted, nay, who scarcely give Thee any outward marks of reverence. I offer Thee in reparation for such coldness, the Most Precious Blood which Thou didst shed from Thy five wounds and especially from Thy sacred Side, and entering therein I say again and again with my heart full of devotion:
[O Sacrament most holy, etc.] Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
III. Profoundly I adore Thee, my Jesus, true Bread of life eternal, and by my adoration I intend to compensate Thee for the many wounds which Thy Heart suffers daily in the profaning of churches where Thou art pleased to dwell beneath the sacramental veils to be adored and loved by all Thy faithful people; and in reparation for so many acts of irreverence, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood which Thou didst shed from Thy five wounds and especially from Thy sacred Side, and entering therein with recollected spirit I repeat every instant:
[O Sacrament most holy, etc.] Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
IV. Profoundly I adore Thee, my Jesus, the living Bread which cometh down from heaven, and by this act of adoration, I intend to atone for all the many acts of irreverence which are committed all the day long by Thy faithful when they assist at Holy Mass, wherein through Thine exceeding love Thou dost renew in an unbloody manner the selfsame sacrifice which Thou didst once offer on Calvary for our salvation. I offer Thee in atonement for such base ingratitude the Most Precious Blood which Thou didst shed from Thy five wounds and especially from Thy sacred Side, and entering therein with sincere devotion, I unite my voice to that of the Angels who stand around Thee in adoration, saying with them:
[O Sacrament most holy, etc.] Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
V. Profoundly I adore Thee, my Jesus, true Victim of expiation for our sins, and I offer Thee this act of adoration to atone for the sacrilegious outrages Thou dost suffer from so many ungrateful Christians who dare to draw near to receive Thee with mortal sin upon their souls. In reparation for such hateful sacrileges I offer Thee the last drops of Thy Most Precious Blood, which Thou didst shed from Thy sacred wounds and especially from the wound in Thy sacred Side, and entering therein with a devout heart, I adore Thee, I bless and I love Thee, and I repeat with all the hearts who are devoted to the Blessed Sacrament:
[O Sacrament most holy, etc.] Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
An indulgence of 7 years. A plenary indulgence once a month on the usual conditions for its daily recitation (S. C. of Rites, Aug. 26, 1814; S. P. Ap., Feb. 25, 1933).
This prayer is granted a partial indulgence under Grant 7, because it is a “duly approved” prayer to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Note that there’s no indication that these kind of prayers must be prayed only while in Adoration. So it should be fine to offer this prayer anywhere. The specific reference in the 'Manuel of Indulgences' is as follows: A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who offer any duly approved prayer to Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament.
CHAPTER III. ‘GOD THE SON’ – Art. IV. - “JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – XII. Prayer
182. O my Lord Jesus Christ, who for the love Thou bearest mankind, dost remain night and day in this Sacrament, all full of tenderness and love, expecting, inviting and receiving all those who come to visit Thee; I believe that Thou art present in the Sacrament of the altar; I adore Thee from the depths of my own nothingness and thank Thee for all the favors Thou hast bestowed upon me; and especially for having given me Thyself in this Sacrament, and Thy most holy Mother Mary as my advocate; and for having called me to visit Thee in this church. I pay my homage this day to Thy most loving Heart and this I intend to do for three intentions: first, in thanksgiving for this great gift; secondly, in reparation for all the insults Thou hast received from Thine enemies in this Sacrament; thirdly, by this visit I intend to adore Thee in all places upon the earth, where Thou art least adored and most neglected in Thy Sacrament. My Jesus, I love Thee with my whole heart. I repent of having in the past so many times displeased Thine infinite goodness. I purpose with the help of Thy grace never more to offend Thee in the future; and at this moment, wretched as I am, I consecrate myself wholly to Thee. I give to Thee and utterly renounce my entire will, all my affections, all my desires, and all that I possess. From this day forth do with me and with all that is mine whatever is pleasing in Thy sight. I ask and desire only Thy holy love, final perseverance and the perfect fulfillment of Thy will. I commend to Thee the souls in purgatory, especially those who were most devoted to this Blessed Sacrament and to Blessed Mary; I commend to Thee in like manner all poor sinners. Finally, my dear Saviour, I unite all my affections with those of Thy most loving Heart, and thus united I offer them to Thine eternal Father, and I pray Him in Thy name graciously to accept and answer them for love of Thee (St. Alphonsus M. de Liguori) The faithful who devoutly recite this prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, are granted: An indulgence of 5 years. A plenary indulgence once a month if its daily recitation is persevered in for the entire month and, in addition, make their confession, receive Holy Communion and pray for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff Pius IX, Rescript in his own hand, Sept. 7, 1854; S. P. Ap., Feb. 25, 1933).
This prayer is granted a partial indulgence under Grant 7, because it is a “duly approved” prayer to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Note that there’s no indication that these kind of prayers must be prayed only while in Adoration. So it should be fine to offer this prayer anywhere. Refer to the above (# 178) for the specific reference in the 'Manuel of Indulgences' regarding prayers to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
CHAPTER III. ‘GOD THE SON’ – Art. VII. “THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS” – VII. Acts of Reparation and Consecration
258. An Act of Consecration – a) I, N...N… give myself and consecrate to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, my person and my life, my actions, pains and sufferings, so that I may be unwilling to make use of any part of my being save to honor, love and glorify the Sacred Heart.
This is my unchanging purpose, namely, to be all His, and to do all things for the love of Him, at the same time renouncing with all my heart whatever is displeasing to Him.
I therefore take Thee, O Sacred Heart, to be the only object of my love, the guardian of my life, my assurance of salvation, the remedy of my weakness and inconstancy, the atonement for all the faults of my life and my sure refuge at the hour of death.
Be then, O Heart of goodness, my justification before God Thy Father, and turn away from me the strokes of His righteous anger. O Heart of love, I put all my confidence in Thee, for I fear everything from my own wickedness and frailty, but I hope for all things from Thy goodness and bounty.
Do Thou consume in me all that can displease Thee or resist Thy holy will; let Thy pure love imprint Thee so deeply upon my heart, that I shall nevermore be able to forget Thee or to be separated from Thee; may I obtain from all Thy loving kindness the grace of having my name written in Thee, for in Thee I desire to place all my happiness and all my glory, living and dying in very bondage to Thee. (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque). An indulgence of 3 years. A plenary indulgence once a month on the usual conditions for the daily devout recitation of this prayer (S. C. Ind., June 1, 1897, Jan. 13, 1898 and Apr. 21, 1908; S. P. Ap., Feb. 25, 1934).
In the list of current grants there a grant titled “ACT OF FAMILY CONSECRATION.” This Grant does have guidelines for consecration to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and it does require a prayer of consecration… but I don’t think that this prayer it is referring to. The exact quote is “recite the duly approved prayer” and of course it refers to the consecration of a family, not a single individual. So I don’t think this is that prayer, but I wanted to mention this interesting similarity just in case this prayer could be used in some way for this Grant.
But, because this prayer is likely not the one for this grant, I will safely place this prayer under Grant 15. The specific reference in the 'Manuel of Indulgences' is as follows: A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who for their personal edification devoutly spend time in mental prayer.
CHAPTER V. “THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN MARY” – Art. I “GENERAL DEVOTIONS TO THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN” – I. Ejaculations and Invocations.
315. Holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God, Intercede for me. An indulgence of 300 days. A plenary indulgence on the usual conditions, if this invocation is devoutly repeated every day for a month (S. P. Ap., Feb. 25, 1941).
Every invocation may be eligible for a partial indulgence, if applied correctly, under ‘General Grant’ 1. The specific reference in the 'Manuel of Indulgences' is as follows: A partial indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who, while carrying out their duties and enduring the hardships of life, raise their minds in humble trust to God and make, at least mentally, some pious invocation.
CHAPTER VII. - “THE SAINTS” – Art. IV “IN HONOR OF OTHER SAINTS” – XLII. SAINT JOHN BOSCO, CONFESSOR
556. A Prayer - O glorious Saint John Bosco, who in order to lead young people to the feet of the divine Master and to form them in the light of faith and Christian morality didst heroically sacrifice thyself to the very end of thy life and didst found a proper religious Institute destined to endure and to bring to the farthest boundaries of the earth thy glorious work, obtain also for us from Our Lord a holy love for young people who are exposed to so many seductions in order that we may generously spend ourselves in supporting them against the snares of the devil, in keeping them safe from the dangers of the world, and in guiding them, pure and holy, in the path that leads to God. An indulgence of 300 days. A plenary indulgence on the usual conditions, if this prayer is devoutly recited every day for a month (S. P. Ap., Feb. 25, 1941).
Approved prayers may be said on the memorial of any saint listed in the calendar, according to Grant 21. The specific reference in the 'Manuel of Indulgences' is as follows: A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who on the memorial of any saint listed in the calendar recite in that saint’s honor the prayer taken from the Missal or another one approved by legitimate authority.
This concluded the Traditional Indulgences
Every prayer/practice that we evaluated today is taken from the last approved publication of the Raccolta. The Raccolta was once the official book/document/list of approved Indulgences. In its last publication there were 780+ individualized prayers/practices that were approved for gaining indulgences.
In 1967 indulgence practices were revised so that indulgences are now, today, granted more in the style of “category” of prayers/practices rather than individually. This leaves me with the question: how do the indulgenced prayers/practices from the Raccolta (traditional indulgence) line up with the indulgences of today? That question is what this “study” seeks to answer.
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