Replies

Believe it or not, some do. Blesed are those who have the freedom to do so, and thank God for the monks and nuns. Most of us, however, have families to feed, and no, praying instead of doing the necessary work is not a Catholic virtue.

But that's the beauty of this officially sanctioned 3 second "quickie" indulgence. You don't have to be a monk or a nun to cram a whole bunch into the nooks and crannies of your life! 5 minute wait in the check-out line at Wal-Mart? Don't waste it browsing the tabloids when you could crank out a hundred or so indulgences! 30 second elevator ride? Ten indulgences in the bag! 12 second computer boot-up? Four indulgences that you didn't have before. You get the idea.

It would be stupid, I think.

Not if you wanted to boast that you took some of the penalty for your sins. Right up there with Jesus!

Oh, it is absolutely a good idea to pray at all times whether or not there is an indulgence attached to it. Whenever your mind is on it, pray. I pray the Rosary in the car, for example, on my way to work.

Regarding “taking the penalty”, it is certainly something one can celebrate. The way your worded it, it looked like you siggested to sort of turn down prayers of others, and that would go agaist God’s will. But onse any form of chastisement comes down, we should have the wisdom to offer it up to Jesus.