Another Reason for the Bookish to Strive for Heaven

While reading about Marie-Julie Jahenny’s prophetic visions I came across her conversations with Saint Michael the Archangel. This excerpt makes me want to make it to Heaven all the more, for the latest editions from Saint Thomas Aquinas, et al.

September 28, 1880 (“The Breton Stigmatist”, p.34)

Marie-Julie: “Will there be rosary (beads) in Heaven?”

St. Michael: “Yes, and books, too.”

Marie-Julie: “And books too! Those who use them, to read, they learn? So who makes this school in Heaven?”

St. Michael: “The Good Jesus, His Angels and Saints.”

Marie-Julie: “Are they letters written by pen or by print?”

St. Michael: “They are glorious letters that have nothing in common with those of the earth.”

Marie-Julie: “Are they difficult to read?”

St. Michael: “No, nor are the dear brothers who can fluently write them.”

Marie-Julie: “I do not know writing, do not have me read them, I would be confused.”

St. Michael: “No, we do not confuse.”

Marie-Julie: “But (how) do they rest when they will never sleep?” (I.e, how do the saints enjoy eternal repose without sleeping?)

St. Michael: “We never sleep, we live only for love, prayer and worship.”

 

A Short Catechism on Indulgences (Part 1)

I am glad to bring you a two-part teaching on the Holy Catholic Church’s teachings concerning Indulgences. It was in a Bible from 1951–note the lack of ambiguity. This is the first installment, and the final part I will post later today or perhaps tomorrow.

A Short Catechism on Indulgences 

1. What is an indulgence? An indulgence is the removal by the Church of temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven.

2. What is temporal punishment? Temporal punishment is temporary punishment. It will last only for a time. It is not endless, like the punishments of hell.

3. After a man’s sins are forgiven, must he still suffer for them? Even after a man’s sins are forgiven, he must make up for them, or atone for them in some way. He must make satisfaction to God for the injustice done by his sins. A parent who has forgiven a child’s prank (e.g., breaking a window) would still demand that the child in some way atone for the injury committed (e.g., by paying for the window). Similarly God, even after forgiving a man’s sins, demands that he atone for the injustice done.

4. How can one make up for the sins he has committed? There are many ways in which one can satisfy or make up for his sins. For example, confession, by which sins are forgiven, also helps atone for them, that is, it takes away some of the temporal punishment due to one’s sins. Also, suffering, patiently endured and offered to God, atones for sins. Doing good works (e.g., giving alms to the poor, praying devoutly, etc.) also helps to atone for sins.

5. If all one’s sins are not completely atoned for at the time of his death, how shall he atone for them? After his death his soul shall suffer for a time in purgatory to atone for those sins not already atoned for in life.

6. Can sin be atoned for in any way except by one’s own personal good works and sacrifices? Yes. The merits of Christ, of Mary, and of the Saints can help to atone for the sins of men. Christ’s death, in addition to meriting forgiveness for the sins of all men, also made infinite atonement or satisfaction for the sins of men. That infinite satisfaction merited by Christ and the superabundant satisfaction merited by Mary and of the Saints (which they gained during life but did not need) constitutes the “Treasury of the Church”. From this store of supernatural merit, which the Church can apply to its own living members, the Church grants indulgences. An indulgence is the application to a particular soul some of the satisfaction merited by Christ, by Mary, or by the Saints.

Catechism on Indulgences, p. xi, xii. The Holy Bible. The Catholic Press, Inc. Chicago, Illinois. Copyright 1951.