Get out of Purgatory (I mean Jail) Free Card
Pope Benedict XVI must have caught the Christmas fever as well, because he is in a particularly generous mood. The Pope is offering relief from purgatory to Roman Catholics who travel to Lourdes to pray to the shrine dedicated to the Madonna of Lourdes.
There is no need to worry if you won't be able to make the trip, Pope Benedict has made provisions. Just pray at places of worship dedicated to the Madonna of Lourdes from Feb. 2 to Feb. 11.
And we were supposed to think the RCC stopped offering plenary indulgences after that whole deal we call the Reformation.
No thanks, I'll just cling to the perfect righteousness that Jesus accomplished on my behalf through his substitutionary work on the cross as my sinless sin bearer.
2 comments:
Just wanted to leave a quick note to clear something up - first, as Catholics, we don't pray to statues or for that matter worship Mary as is a common misconception. As for the purchasing of salvation - there have been abuses of this but to buy your salvation - that was never and is never the point to "paying" for indulgences. The money given was supposed to be to support the church though and any abuses of this is not the norm and something that we certainly don't condone. Fyi though, there are many indulgences that can be obtained by simply reciting prayers. No money involved. Hope this clears up some misconceptions : )
To add to that last comment, Catholics also know and understand that there is no easy way to get out of jail or purgatory free. Following Jesus is hard work and not an easy way all of the time. We know that there are consequences to our actions and sins and we must make amends when we fall short.
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