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Author Topic: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.  (Read 879 times)

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Offline Miseremini

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Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
« on: March 08, 2020, 08:15:35 PM »
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  • The stations of the cross is the most highly indulgenced devotion of the Catholic Church.

    For those who don't have access to a church a plenary indulgence can be gained by praying the stations at home but you must add five Paters, Aves, and Glorias in compassion of the five wounds and one each for the intention of the Pope.
    An act of contrition is also required before you begin.  (as per the Raccolta)

    Of all the stations on youtube, this seems to be the most traditional.  :pray:


    "Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and them that hate Him flee from before His Holy Face"  Psalm 67:2[/b]



    Offline Ladislaus

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    Re: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
    « Reply #1 on: March 08, 2020, 09:53:30 PM »
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  • The stations of the cross is the most highly indulgenced devotion of the Catholic Church.

    Yes, and it's the one plenary indulgence that can be gained whether you believe the old rules remain in force or the new ones have taken their place.


    Offline Miseremini

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    Re: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
    « Reply #2 on: March 08, 2020, 10:22:36 PM »
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  • Information on the stations and indulgences from 1909.
    For the stations only you could gain multiply plenary indulgences, as stated below, keep one for yourself and give the rest to the souls in purgatory.

                   The Chaplet of the Way of the Cross
    Of  the Archconfraternity of the Holy Agony

    Approved by Pius IX in 1864.  And also by Pius X in 1906.
                                             “ Thy Will be Done “

    The Way of the Cross is a devotion dear to souls devoted to the Passion of our Lord : most salutary to those who practice it and of all devotions in the Church the most richly indulgenced.  These indulgences are applicable to the souls in Purgatory.

    HISTORY OF THE CHAPLETS OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS.
    It was the servant of God, Louise Borgiotto called “ Louise of the Crucifix ” whom our Lord inspired with the idea of this Chaplet or “ Crown of the Way of the Cross ”,  because of her devotion to His sorrows in the Garden of Gethsemani and also to the Way of His Cross.
    “ Louise of the Crucifix ” lived at Turin 1802-1873 and was foundress of the Nazarene Sisters.
    Her life and death were so holy, her sanctity so widespread, that the cause of her beatification has been undertaken by Cardinal Richelmy, Archbishop of Turin.
    “ Louise of the Crucifix ” a devout adorer of The Passion, had in the chapel of the priests of the Congregations of the Mission, for here director one of these sons of the great St. Vincent de Paul, who cultured in her soul an intense devotion to the Holy Agony of Jesus.  It was also a priest of the Congregation of the Mission, now the present Bishop of Aosta, who obtained from Pius X, 1906, an augmentation of favors already granted Chaplets of the Way of the Cross by Pius IX, 1864.

    EXCELLENCE OF THE CHAPLET OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS
    The origin and approbation of the Holy See demonstrates how precious is this Chaplet, but in particular its excellence is shown from this.
    1st.  The numerous and precious Indulgences which are attached to it.  These are the same Indulgences that are attached to the canonically erected Stations, or rather those granted to the faithful who visit in person the Stations at Jerusalem.  The Indulgences are so great that the Sovereign Pontiffs have forbidden preachers to enumerate or to specify them.  as many of them are Plenary, it is well in making the Way of the Cross to gain one for one’s self, applying the rest to the souls in Purgatory.  The indulgences of the Way of the Cross may be gained each time it is made.
    2nd.  The great ease with which one may gain these Indulgences.  To acquire such a treasure, one need not make a pilgrimage to the Holy Places, nor visit the Stations of Calvary, it is not even required to visit a Church where the Stations of the “ Via Crucis ” are canonically erected, a slight obstacle occasioned by illness, or the duties of one’s state, or by other reasonable motive is sufficient to enable one to gain these indulgences, by using the Chaplets of the Way of the Cross.
    Consider how the sick, those detained at home by household cares, those who toss at night impatiently awaiting slumber, though they may be unable to go to church may unite their sufferings to those of our Divine Redeemer, and if they but devote a few minutes to the recitation of this Chaplet may gain the tremendous Indulgences of the Way of the Cross.
    Pope Pius X, himself, when offered one of these Chaplets, took it in his hands, he kissed it, exclaiming, “ I will keep it as a precious treasure ”.
    This chaplet of the Stations is composed of fourteen oval medals, representing the fourteen Stations of the Cross, each connected by three separate beads; a heart and six beads join the Chaplet to the Crucifix.
    Those who devoutly recite this Chaplet may gain the same indulgences that are attached to making the Way of the Cross in those churches where the Stations are canonically erected.
    In order to gain the indulgences of the Way of the Cross, in saying this Chaplet, it is necessary :

    1st.  That one cannot make the Stations in a Church or Chapel where they are erected.  A slight inconvenience, however, is sufficient, especially for women and mothers of families, as was declared by His Holiness Pius IX.

    2nd.  That at each Station the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father be recited once, and at the end, after the fourteen Stations are finished the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father five times, in honor of the Five Wounds of our Lord and then one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.
    Commence as usual with the Sign of the Cross.  Then say a fervent Act of Contrition.  Then say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father three times on the three beads which precede the First Station, in honor of the three hours of Jesus in the Garden of Olives.
    At each medal recall the mystery it represents, for instance :  First Station, Jesus is condemned to death ; and recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Glory be to the Father on the three beads that follow.  Second Station, Jesus carries His Cross ; Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, and so on to the end.
    It is an excellent practice to meditate a few moments on the particular Station of the Passion indicated on each medal, but this is not necessary to gain the indulgences.  Neither is it absolutely necessary to say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father three times, in honor of the three-hour Agony of Our Saviour in the Garden of Olives.
                                                                                                            + PHILIPPE
                                                                                                      Cardinal de Angelis, Arch. Of Fermo.

    FACTS CONCERNING THE CHAPLET OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS

    1st.  The power of conferring Indulgences on this Chaplet was granted by His Holiness Pius X on November 2nd, 1906, to the Priests of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) : to all the directors of the aggregated Confraternities of the Holy Agony, and to all priests who are promoters of zealators of the Archconfraternity of Paris.  A simple Sign of the Cross is ritually sufficient for indulgencing Chaplets.
    The General Director of the Archconfraternity will gladly confer the title Zealator on any priest who desires earnestly to work for the spreading of the devotion of the Holy Agony.
    2nd.  The cross may be replaced by another, the beads and medals may be strung on another chain, and even a few beads, which may happen to be broken or lost, may be renewed, without losing the Indulgences.
    3rd.  The indulgences on the Chaplets are personal, that is, the Chaplets may not be given away or loaned by the owner to another person after being used, without losing the indulgences.  Before they have been used, however, one may give gratis these blessed and indulgenced Chaplets.  After they are blessed, no price may be accepted for them, even if spontaneously offered.
    4th.  After being blessed, they may not be sold, but they can be blessed and indulgenced before being sent to places where there are no Vincentians, nor Directors nor Priest Promoters nor Zealators of the Holy Agony, if they are intended for certain determinate persons.
    They must be ordered, however, before being blessed, even if not paid for when ordering.

    Boston, Jan. 22, 1909.
    + IMPRIMATUR WILLIAM,

    FACTS CONCERNING THE CRUCIFIX OF THE CHAPLETS OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS
    ————
    If one cannot easily have the indulgences conferred on the Chaplet of the Way of the Cross, can have it blessed ; and have the indulgences of the Way of the Cross conferred on the Crucifix.  In that case, the Chaplet is used as a guide and the same indulgences of the Way of the Cross are obtained, as though the Chaplet had been indulged to that effect.

    With respect to the Crucifix : -- It must be of a solid and durable metal (Sc. Cong. Aug. 8, 1859).  The indulgences are conferred on the Corpus, so that it can be transferred from one cross to another whatever.


    "Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and them that hate Him flee from before His Holy Face"  Psalm 67:2[/b]


    Offline Miseremini

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    Re: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
    « Reply #3 on: March 20, 2020, 04:35:58 PM »
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  • Information on the stations and indulgences from 1909.
    For the stations only you could gain multiply plenary indulgences, as stated below, keep one for yourself and give the rest to the souls in purgatory.

                  The Chaplet of the Way of the Cross
    Of  the Archconfraternity of the Holy Agony

    Approved by Pius IX in 1864.  And also by Pius X in 1906.
                                            “ Thy Will be Done “

    The Way of the Cross is a devotion dear to souls devoted to the Passion of our Lord : most salutary to those who practice it and of all devotions in the Church the most richly indulgenced.  These indulgences are applicable to the souls in Purgatory.

    HISTORY OF THE CHAPLETS OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS.
    It was the servant of God, Louise Borgiotto called “ Louise of the Crucifix ” whom our Lord inspired with the idea of this Chaplet or “ Crown of the Way of the Cross ”,  because of her devotion to His sorrows in the Garden of Gethsemani and also to the Way of His Cross.
    “ Louise of the Crucifix ” lived at Turin 1802-1873 and was foundress of the Nazarene Sisters.
    Her life and death were so holy, her sanctity so widespread, that the cause of her beatification has been undertaken by Cardinal Richelmy, Archbishop of Turin.
    “ Louise of the Crucifix ” a devout adorer of The Passion, had in the chapel of the priests of the Congregations of the Mission, for here director one of these sons of the great St. Vincent de Paul, who cultured in her soul an intense devotion to the Holy Agony of Jesus.  It was also a priest of the Congregation of the Mission, now the present Bishop of Aosta, who obtained from Pius X, 1906, an augmentation of favors already granted Chaplets of the Way of the Cross by Pius IX, 1864.

    EXCELLENCE OF THE CHAPLET OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS
    The origin and approbation of the Holy See demonstrates how precious is this Chaplet, but in particular its excellence is shown from this.
    1st.  The numerous and precious Indulgences which are attached to it.  These are the same Indulgences that are attached to the canonically erected Stations, or rather those granted to the faithful who visit in person the Stations at Jerusalem.  The Indulgences are so great that the Sovereign Pontiffs have forbidden preachers to enumerate or to specify them.  as many of them are Plenary, it is well in making the Way of the Cross to gain one for one’s self, applying the rest to the souls in Purgatory.  The indulgences of the Way of the Cross may be gained each time it is made.
    2nd.  The great ease with which one may gain these Indulgences.  To acquire such a treasure, one need not make a pilgrimage to the Holy Places, nor visit the Stations of Calvary, it is not even required to visit a Church where the Stations of the “ Via Crucis ” are canonically erected, a slight obstacle occasioned by illness, or the duties of one’s state, or by other reasonable motive is sufficient to enable one to gain these indulgences, by using the Chaplets of the Way of the Cross.
    Consider how the sick, those detained at home by household cares, those who toss at night impatiently awaiting slumber, though they may be unable to go to church may unite their sufferings to those of our Divine Redeemer, and if they but devote a few minutes to the recitation of this Chaplet may gain the tremendous Indulgences of the Way of the Cross.
    Pope Pius X, himself, when offered one of these Chaplets, took it in his hands, he kissed it, exclaiming, “ I will keep it as a precious treasure ”.
    This chaplet of the Stations is composed of fourteen oval medals, representing the fourteen Stations of the Cross, each connected by three separate beads; a heart and six beads join the Chaplet to the Crucifix.
    Those who devoutly recite this Chaplet may gain the same indulgences that are attached to making the Way of the Cross in those churches where the Stations are canonically erected.
    In order to gain the indulgences of the Way of the Cross, in saying this Chaplet, it is necessary :

    1st.  That one cannot make the Stations in a Church or Chapel where they are erected.  A slight inconvenience, however, is sufficient, especially for women and mothers of families, as was declared by His Holiness Pius IX.

    2nd.  That at each Station the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father be recited once, and at the end, after the fourteen Stations are finished the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father five times, in honor of the Five Wounds of our Lord and then one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.
    Commence as usual with the Sign of the Cross.  Then say a fervent Act of Contrition.  Then say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father three times on the three beads which precede the First Station, in honor of the three hours of Jesus in the Garden of Olives.
    At each medal recall the mystery it represents, for instance :  First Station, Jesus is condemned to death ; and recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Glory be to the Father on the three beads that follow.  Second Station, Jesus carries His Cross ; Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, and so on to the end.
    It is an excellent practice to meditate a few moments on the particular Station of the Passion indicated on each medal, but this is not necessary to gain the indulgences.  Neither is it absolutely necessary to say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father three times, in honor of the three-hour Agony of Our Saviour in the Garden of Olives.
                                                                                                           + PHILIPPE
                                                                                                      Cardinal de Angelis, Arch. Of Fermo.

    FACTS CONCERNING THE CHAPLET OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS

    1st.  The power of conferring Indulgences on this Chaplet was granted by His Holiness Pius X on November 2nd, 1906, to the Priests of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) : to all the directors of the aggregated Confraternities of the Holy Agony, and to all priests who are promoters of zealators of the Archconfraternity of Paris.  A simple Sign of the Cross is ritually sufficient for indulgencing Chaplets.
    The General Director of the Archconfraternity will gladly confer the title Zealator on any priest who desires earnestly to work for the spreading of the devotion of the Holy Agony.
    2nd.  The cross may be replaced by another, the beads and medals may be strung on another chain, and even a few beads, which may happen to be broken or lost, may be renewed, without losing the Indulgences.
    3rd.  The indulgences on the Chaplets are personal, that is, the Chaplets may not be given away or loaned by the owner to another person after being used, without losing the indulgences.  Before they have been used, however, one may give gratis these blessed and indulgenced Chaplets.  After they are blessed, no price may be accepted for them, even if spontaneously offered.
    4th.  After being blessed, they may not be sold, but they can be blessed and indulgenced before being sent to places where there are no Vincentians, nor Directors nor Priest Promoters nor Zealators of the Holy Agony, if they are intended for certain determinate persons.
    They must be ordered, however, before being blessed, even if not paid for when ordering.

    Boston, Jan. 22, 1909.
    + IMPRIMATUR WILLIAM,

    FACTS CONCERNING THE CRUCIFIX OF THE CHAPLETS OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS
    ————
    If one cannot easily have the indulgences conferred on the Chaplet of the Way of the Cross, can have it blessed ; and have the indulgences of the Way of the Cross conferred on the Crucifix.  In that case, the Chaplet is used as a guide and the same indulgences of the Way of the Cross are obtained, as though the Chaplet had been indulged to that effect.

    With respect to the Crucifix : -- It must be of a solid and durable metal (Sc. Cong. Aug. 8, 1859).  The indulgences are conferred on the Corpus, so that it can be transferred from one cross to another whatever.
    If you can't get to stations today you can do them at home.
    "Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and them that hate Him flee from before His Holy Face"  Psalm 67:2[/b]


    Offline CatholicInAmerica

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    Re: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
    « Reply #4 on: March 20, 2020, 06:55:41 PM »
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  • If you can't get to stations today you can do them at home.
    Let’s say I go to confession tomorrow at my sspv church. If I do the stations there does it satisfy for a plenary indulgence? There are no masses so how would I receive communion (as it is one of the aspects of the indulgence)?. Thank you. 
    Pope St. Pius X pray for us


    Offline josefamenendez

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    Re: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
    « Reply #5 on: March 20, 2020, 07:07:30 PM »
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  • thank you. I just did the Stations from the video

    Offline Miseremini

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    Re: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
    « Reply #6 on: March 20, 2020, 07:29:54 PM »
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  • Let’s say I go to confession tomorrow at my sspv church. If I do the stations there does it satisfy for a plenary indulgence? There are no masses so how would I receive communion (as it is one of the aspects of the indulgence)?. Thank you.
    If you received last Sunday it would qualify.  In this situation we're in now, ask the priest to give you an alternative action to perform.  He can give you a dispensation and then you could do the stations every day at home and gain the plenary indulgences.  
    Remember, an act of contrition and 20 Paters, Aves and Glorias.
    "Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and them that hate Him flee from before His Holy Face"  Psalm 67:2[/b]


    Offline CatholicInAmerica

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    Re: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
    « Reply #7 on: March 20, 2020, 08:14:31 PM »
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  • If you received last Sunday it would qualify.  In this situation we're in now, ask the priest to give you an alternative action to perform.  He can give you a dispensation and then you could do the stations every day at home and gain the plenary indulgences.  
    Remember, an act of contrition and 20 Paters, Aves and Glorias.
    I remember reading somewhere that after receiving absolution, Padre Pio would give the Eucharist to people. Could this be an option? 
    Pope St. Pius X pray for us


    Offline Miseremini

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    Re: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
    « Reply #8 on: March 20, 2020, 09:28:59 PM »
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  • I remember reading somewhere that after receiving absolution, Padre Pio would give the Eucharist to people. Could this be an option?
    Absolutely !  Ask your priest I'm sure he will be more than happy to have you receive.  Then for the next 8 days you can do the stations at home and receive the indulgences each day.
    "Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and them that hate Him flee from before His Holy Face"  Psalm 67:2[/b]


    Offline CatholicInAmerica

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    Re: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
    « Reply #9 on: March 20, 2020, 10:03:55 PM »
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  • Absolutely !  Ask your priest I'm sure he will be more than happy to have you receive.  Then for the next 8 days you can do the stations at home and receive the indulgences each day.
    So to receive the indulgence what must I do? And thank you, you have been very helpful. 
    Pope St. Pius X pray for us

    Offline Miseremini

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    Re: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
    « Reply #10 on: March 20, 2020, 11:29:24 PM »
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  • To gain plenary indulgences attached to the way of the cross within 8 days of confession and communion:
    AT CHURCH: An act of contrition, then walk the stations while meditating on one or any of the stations of the                         passion. no prayers are required but you MUST walk them.

    AT HOME:  An act of contrition and while holding a crucifix blessed for this purpose, pray a Pater, Ave and                           Gloria 20 times. (that's 14 times for the 14 stations, 5 times in compassion of the 5 wounds of                           Christ  and one time for the intentions of the Holy Father.

    Ask your priest to bless a crucifix (maybe on your rosary if you don't have another) for the purpose of praying the stations.  No special formula is required as noted in the chaplet instructions at the beginning of this thread.

    It is interesting that the stations' indulgences have always been "toties quoties" meaning you gain all the indulgences as often as you pray the devotion.  The stations has always been THE ONE devotion where you can gain more than one plenary indulgence in a day.  A great act of charity as you keep one for yourself and give the rest to the souls in purgatory.
    "Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and them that hate Him flee from before His Holy Face"  Psalm 67:2[/b]



    Offline donkath

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    Re: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
    « Reply #11 on: March 20, 2020, 11:46:20 PM »
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  • St. Gertrude relates that St. Mary Magdalen said to St. Mechtilde: 

    "Whosoever shall give God thanks for all the tears I shed upon the feet of Jesus, our most, merciful God will grant him, 
    through my intercession, remission of all his sins before his death, and a great increase of love to God."

    In the process of seeking prayerfully the gift of true sorrow - picture oneself standing between Our Lady (Immaculate) and Mary Magdalen (great sinner) then pray this prayer beneath the Crucifix.  It  brings with it a sense of Our Lord receiving an act of true sorrow through the intercession of St. Mary Magdalen who can no longer suffer for her sins, but through our suffrage Our Lord can be truly consoled.  Praying thus daily brings one closer to receiving the gift of TRUE sorrow for our own sins thus increasing our love to God.   AND it is all offered through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.   If we claim any merit for ourselves whilst or during the practice of this devotion we would be glorifying ourselves rather than Our Lord.  It was the humble Publican that obtained the graces he sought, not the proud Pharisee.
    ..
    "In His wisdom," says St. Gregory, "almighty God preferred rather to bring good out of evil than never allow evil to occur."

    Offline Miseremini

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    Re: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
    « Reply #12 on: March 21, 2020, 10:59:05 AM »
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  • our most, merciful God will grant him,
    through my intercession, remission of all his sins before his death, and a great increase of love to God."

      If we claim any merit for ourselves whilst or during the practice of this devotion we would be glorifying ourselves rather than Our Lord.
    ..
    What is your point?? I don't see what this has to do with the Stations of the Cross which tradition tells us was first practiced by Our Sorrowful Mother and St. John after the Ascension of Our Lord.

    Secondly, your two statements above are totally contradictory.  The first offers merit (a plenary indulgence) and the second states if we claim that merit, we would be glorifying ourselves rather than Our Lord.
    "Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and them that hate Him flee from before His Holy Face"  Psalm 67:2[/b]


    Offline donkath

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    Re: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
    « Reply #13 on: March 21, 2020, 11:02:38 PM »
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  • What is your point?? I don't see what this has to do with the Stations of the Cross which tradition tells us was first practiced by Our Sorrowful Mother and St. John after the Ascension of Our Lord.

    Secondly, your two statements above are totally contradictory.  The first offers merit (a plenary indulgence) and the second states if we claim that merit, we would be glorifying ourselves rather than Our Lord.
    Thank you for pointing out the discrepancy.  Of course what you say is true.  I have never thought of it as being promised a plenary indulgence which would be completely false.

    I understood the devotion as granting progress of the soul in responding as MM did.  That is - to be horrified at the price Our Lord willingly paid for her conversion (not unlike St. Peter who shed tears for the rest of his life after he denied Our Lord).  In both cases Mary Magdalen (as also St. Peter) had been publicly forgiven for her sins when she washed Our Lord's feet. With St. Peter Our Lord verbally had pre-forgiven him (for want of a better word).

    I guess that would be the equivalent of Our Lord granting a plenary indulgence directly to them enabling them* to never escape the knowledge and price Our Lord was about to pay for their sins.  When they witnessed the price of the Person they loved above and beyond any human love the only solace they would have had from that moment would be in knowing that Our Lord had never stopped loving them.   In other words, I believe they experienced what true Charity meant, and were from that moment  enabled to love God and others in a way hitherto unknown to man.

    The reason I brought this matter up in regard to the Stations of the Cross is that when we say the final prayer 'Behold O kind and most sweet Jesus [...]' we are at the foot of the Cross between Mary Immaculate and Mary Penitent.  It provides a profound opportunity to meditate on co-redemptive power of mercy that God provides through His Mother's intercession for Mary Magdalen (and by extension to us) and who never left the Virgin's side since her conversion. (According to Mary of Agreda)


    *The Church had not been established til Pentecost with its Sacraments enabling us to receive plenary indulgences.   I understand that through their intercession and merits we can come closer to loving God and neighbour as they did - that is with the true Charity that is above and beyond any human love.  They heard the words of Our Lord directly - I have not heard them, but believe them with the certainty of faith.   In addition, I understand that in receiving the grace through the merits of the saints, I honour that saint (and thus God) through whom God grants that grace unearned by me.  The grace does not obviate me from still having to do the purgatory, on earth or after death, for my own sins.
    "In His wisdom," says St. Gregory, "almighty God preferred rather to bring good out of evil than never allow evil to occur."

    Offline donkath

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    Re: Stations of the Cross for home prayer.
    « Reply #14 on: March 22, 2020, 12:32:55 AM »
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  • For the record:

    REMISSION OF SIN
    Definition

    The true and actual forgiveness of sin. When mortal sin is remitted, this includes pardon of the eternal punishment due to it, but temporal penalty may still remain. When venial sin is remitted, the guilt is removed and as much of the temporal punishment as the person's dispositions warrant from the grace of God.



    PLENARY INDULGENCE
    Definition

    An indulgence that can remove all the temporal punishment due to forgiven sin. No one but God knows for certain when a plenary indulgences is actually gained, because only he knows whether a person's dispositions are adequate. One norm for such dispositions is that "all attachment to sin, even venial sin, be absent." If these dispositions are in any way less than complete, the indulgence will only be partial. The same provision applies to the three external conditions necessary to gain a plenary indulgence: sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Pope. If these conditions are not satisfied, an otherwise plenary indulgence becomes only partial. These conditions may be satisfied several days before or after the performance of the prescribed work, though preferably Communion should be received and the prayers offered for the Pope on the same day as the indulgenced work. A plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day.

    ..
    "In His wisdom," says St. Gregory, "almighty God preferred rather to bring good out of evil than never allow evil to occur."