March 18.1 - Traditional Indulgence of the day!
- catholicindulgence
- Mar 18
- 9 min read
We are evaluating old indulgences that have been approve on todays date of:
March
18
(Part 1/4)
List of Traditional materials we will be looking at today, and the current/withstanding grants that they satisfy (directly or indirectly).
48. Making a novena to the Trinity
partial indulgence… Grant 22
95. We adore Thee
partial indulgence… Grant 7
143. Accompanying the Blessed Sacrament when carried as Viaticum
potential partial indulgence… General Grant 2 or 4
172. Triduum during the Octave of Corpus Christi
Notwithstanding
175. The Eucharistic Month
Notwithstanding
244. The Little Office of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
partial indulgence… Grant 22
256. O sweetest Jesus, Thou dost pour forth
plenary/partial indulgence… Grant 3
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 I. “THE TRIUNE GOD” - IV. Pious Practices
48. The faithful who devoutly offer any prayer in honor of the Most Holy Trinity with the intention of continuing them for nine successive days, may gain: An indulgence of 7 years once each day; A plenary indulgence on the usual conditions at the end of the novena (S. C. Ind., Aug. 8, 1847; S. P. Ap., Mar. 18, 1932).
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. I. “THE LORD JESUS CHRIST” – II. AN ACT OF ADORATION AND THANKSGIVING
95. We adore Thee, most holy Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all Thy churches that are in the whole world, and we bless Thee; because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world (Testament of St. Francis of Assisi, Conf.) An indulgence of 7 years, if the aforesaid act of adoration is recited on bended knees, when entering or leaving a church, a public oratory or semipublic oratory (in the case of those who mat lawfully use the latter). A plenary indulgence once a month, if the aforesaid act is recited at least once a day, on condition of confession, Communion and prayer for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff (S. P. Ap., Aug 3, 1917 and March 18, 1932)
This prayer is categorized as an ‘Act of Adoration and Thanksgiving.’ Since there are indulgence Grants for Adoration and Thanksgiving separately, usually we would cover both of those categories. But because the instructions for this prayer calls it an ‘act of adoration,’ we will focus on the adoration aspect over the thanksgiving aspect.
So this would be under Grant 7, and for this grant the prayer needs to 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 offer any duly approved prayer to Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament.
CHAPTER III. ‘GOD THE SON’ – Art. IV. - “JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – II. ACTS OF ADORATION
143. The faithful who devoutly accompany the Blessed Sacrament when It is carried to the sick as Viaticum are granted:
An indulgence of 7 years, if they accompany It with lights;
An indulgence of 5 years, if without lights;
An indulgence of 3 years, if, being lawfully hindered, they send another to carry a light for them;
An indulgence of 100 days, if they recite at least one Our Father and one Hail Mary while the Blessed Sacrament is being carried although they are unable to accompany (Paul V, Nov. 3, 1606; Innocent XI, Oct. 1, 1678; Innocent XII, Constit. "Debitum Pastoralis Officii," Jan. 5, 1695; S. P. Ap., Mar. 18, 1932).
Viaticum is the term used for the Eucharist when it is administered to the dying (it is presumed to be one of the last times that person will be able to receive the Eucharist before expiring).
This indulgence, as is, is notwithstanding… I think. There is a current indulgence category for Eucharistic adoration and procession which may offer some wiggle room to allow for a sort of indulgence with these practices. But I’m not sure, and so I wouldn’t want to recommend trying to attempt this indulgence under the understanding of this grant.
Instead, if you would like to put life back into this traditional indulgence with a current indulgence, I would suggest looking into General Grants 2 and 4. These two grants say:
G2) A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who led by the spirit of faith, give compassionately of themselves or of their goods to serve their brothers in need.
G4) 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.
CHAPTER III. ‘GOD THE SON’ – Art. IV. - “JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT - IX. Pious Practices
172. A Triduum during the Octave of Corpus Christi - The faithful who assist at the solemn services which are to be held in all Cathedrals and parish churches, according to the Letter of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences (Apr. 10, 1907), on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday within the Octave of Corpus Christi, or at some other season of the year, even with a change of the days of the week (S. C. Ind., Apr. 8, 1908) to be chosen at the discretion of the Ordinary, may obtain: An indulgence of 10 years on any day of the triduum; A plenary indulgence on the third day, if they have been present every day and have gone to confession and Communion.
Furthermore, those who take part in a corporate Communion in some church on any one of the three days, may gain: A plenary indulgence, if they have confessed their sins and prayed for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff (S. C. Ind., Apr. 10, 1907; S. P. Ap., Mar. 18, 1932).
There are no indulgences that are specifically dedicated to Octaves (except for the All Souls Octave). Therefor, this traditional indulgence is Notwithstanding. There may be ways to revitalize aspects of this indulgence in Grants, such as General Grants 2, 3, or 4.
CHAPTER III. ‘GOD THE SON’ – Art. IV. - “JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT - IX. Pious Practices
175. The Eucharistic Month – The faithful who, during one month of the year, devoutly offer their prayers and homage in honor of the Blessed Sacrament may obtain: An indulgence of 7 years once on each day of the month; A plenary indulgence on the usual conditions, if they perform this devout exercise every day of the month (S. P. Ap., July 3, 1928 and Mar. 18, 1932).
This indulgence as a whole is notwithstanding. Also, certainly prayers honoring the Blessed Sacrament are covered under Grant 7, but this indulgence doesn’t offer a prayer. Only an encouragement to say prayers at select times/select ways
CHAPTER III. ‘GOD THE SON’ – Art. VII. “THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS” – II. The Little Office
244. The faithful who recite devoutly the little Office of the Sacred Heart of Jesus may gain: An indulgence of 7 years; A plenary indulgence on the usual conditions, provided that they recite it daily for a month (Apostolic Brief, Dec. 12, 1901 and March 1, 1904; S. P. Ap., March 18, 1932).
This indulgence is maintained under the current Grant 22, which covers Novenas, Litanies, and Little Offices. The specific reference in the 'Manuel of Indulgences' is as follows: A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who piously recite an approved little office (e.g., of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception, or St. Joseph).
CHAPTER III. ‘GOD THE SON’ – Art. VII. “THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS” – VII. Acts of Reparation and Consecration
256. O sweetest Jesus, Thou dost pour forth Thy love abundantly on men, while they repay Thee most ungratefully with neglect, indifference and contempt. Behold us humbly kneeling before Thine altar (out-side a church or oratory say: in Thy presence); we would fain repair this heartless ingratitude on the part of men, and the manifold injuries that are everywhere done to Thy most loving Heart, by a special act of homage.
Yet we are not unmindful that we, too, have had our part in this unworthy behavior; therefore are we moved to deep contrition, and, above all, we beg Thy mercy for ourselves; we are ready to atone, by this voluntary act of expiation, for the crimes which we ourselves have committed, as also for the sins of those who, straying far from the way of salvation, either refuse, in the blindness of their unbelief, to follow Thee, the Shepherd and Guide of their souls, or who trample upon the vows of their Baptism and shake off the sweet yoke of Thy law.
Not only are we anxious to expiate all these deplorable crimes, but in an especial manner do we purpose to make reparation for these following: immodesty and shameful excesses in life and dress; the many snares of corruption laid for the souls of the innocent; the neglect of holydays; the hateful blasphemies that are hurled against Thee and Thy Saints; the reproaches uttered against Thy Vicar on earth and all the priestly order; the neglect, also, of the very Sacrament of Thy love, as well as its profanation by horrifying sacrilege; and finally the public sins of the nations in rebellion against the just rights and the teaching authority of the Church established by Thee.
Would that we were able to atone for all these outrages even to the shedding of our blood! Meanwhile, in order to atone for the violations of the honor due to Thee, we offer unto Thee that selfsame satisfaction which of old Thou didst offer to the Father upon the holy Cross and which from day to day Thou dost continually renew upon the altars of Thy Church. To this we add the expiatory merits of Thy Virgin Mother, of all Thy Saints and of the devout faithful upon earth. With all our hearts we promise to atone, Thy grace assisting us, for our own past sins and those of all other men, as also for our coldness towards Thine exceeding great love, by a firm faith, spotless purity of life and the perfect fulfillment, so far as in us lies, of the law of the Gospel, and in particular of the precept of charity.
We likewise pledge ourselves in accordance with our strength to prevent such injuries from being done to Thee, and to invite as many as we can to follow Thee. Accept, we pray Thee, most gracious Jesus, through the intercession of Our Lady of Reparation, this our free-will offering of reparation, and be Thou pleased to keep us, by the great gift of final perseverance, faithful even unto death in our dutiful service of Thee, so that in the end we may all come to that our true native land, where Thou, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
An indulgence of 5 years. A plenary indulgence once a month for the daily devout recitation of this prayer, on condition of confession, Communion and a visit to some church or public oratory.
The faithful, moreover, who, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, assist at this same act of reparation, adding thereto the Litany of the Sacred Heart, in any church or oratory, even semi-public (for those who lawfully frequent it), in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament solemnly exposed, may gain: An indulgence of 7 years; A plenary indulgence, provided that they atone for their sins in sacramental confession and partake of the Eucharistic Table (S. P. Ap., June 1, 1928 and March 18, 1932)
This prayer is called Most sweet Jesus or “Iesu dulcissime” in latin. Under Grant 3 this prayer is specifically used on the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. So this prayer can be found in the ‘Manuel of Indulgences,’ but do note that the prayer in the book is translated to english slightly differently then this translation. But both translations are approved and will work for Grant 3. The specific reference in the 'Manuel of Indulgences' is as follows: 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.
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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