First, I need to explain that I was born in Europe, brought up Catholic, attended Catholic school through 12th grade, so I am not talking about hearsay but real life experiences. I was 8 or 9 when my grandmother went on a pilgrimage to Rome. She visited the Vatican, saw Pope John XXIII in a general audience, and returned home with a certificate that she had purchased right there, at the Vatican. It stated that my father, and all of his family, did not have to spend time in purgatory for any sins commited up to the date the certificate had been issued. What do you call that? I know I was young, but I'll never forget my mom trying to find out how much had grandma paid for it. It certainly wasn't free! It's been almost 14 years since I last visited Spain, but last time I was there, the framed certificate was still hunging there, in an honored place in the living room.
You wrote:
“First, I need to explain that I was born in Europe, brought up Catholic, attended Catholic school through 12th grade, so I am not talking about hearsay but real life experiences.”
No, you’re not. My connections to Europe may be stronger than yours. I also have a PhD in Medieval History with a field in Church history. I too went to 12 years of Catholic school. I’m not impressed by your “experiences” in the least.
“I was 8 or 9 when my grandmother went on a pilgrimage to Rome. She visited the Vatican, saw Pope John XXIII in a general audience, and returned home with a certificate that she had purchased right there, at the Vatican.”
No indulgence was sold. No money has been attached to indulgences in ovber 450 years. What she bought was a commemorative certificate about the pilgrimage to the Vatican for a plenary indulgence!!! In other words, she bought a nicely printed piece of paper to remember where she was and what she participated in. She DID NOT BUY AN INDULGENCE NOR IS IT POSSIBLE TO DO SO.
ROFLOL!!! It amazes me how anti-Catholics always thump their chests insisting they know what they’re talking about and then they fall flat on their face!!! Lol!!!
“It stated that my father, and all of his family, did not have to spend time in purgatory for any sins commited up to the date the certificate had been issued. What do you call that?”
I call it not a sale of an indulgence. Again, no money - has been attached to indulgences in ovber 450 years. She bought something to remember her trip to the Vatican. She bought a nicely printed piece of paper, not an indulgence.
“I know I was young, but I’ll never forget my mom trying to find out how much had grandma paid for it. It certainly wasn’t free!”
Indulgences COST NO MONEY. Any Catholic can receive an indulgence and not pay a penny.
“It’s been almost 14 years since I last visited Spain, but last time I was there, the framed certificate was still hunging there, in an honored place in the living room.”
And it still isn’t an indulgence that was sold. Again, no money has been attached to indulgences in over 450 years.