St. Lawrence, Martyr

Baltimore track

Baltimore Catechism No. 3

Lesson 21 — On Indulgences

Q. 851.Have there ever existed abuses among the faithful in the manner of using Indulgences?

A.There have existed, in past ages, some abuses among the faithful in the manner of using Indulgences, and the Church has always labored to correct such abuses as soon as possible. In the use of pious practices we must be always guided by our lawful superiors.

Q. 852.How have the enemies of the Church made use of the abuse of Indulgences?

A.The enemies of the Church have made use of the abuse of Indulgences to deny the doctrine of Indulgences, and to break down the teaching and limit the power of the Church. Not to be deceived in matters of faith, we must always distinguish very carefully between the abuses to which a devotion may lead and the truths upon which the devotion rests.

Q. 853.How does the Church by means of Indulgences remit the temporal punishment due to sin?

A.The Church, by means of Indulgences, remits the temporal punishment due to sin by applying to us the merits of Jesus Christ, and the superabundant satisfactions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of the saints; which merits and satisfactions are its spiritual treasury.

Q. 854.What do we mean by the "superabundant satisfaction of the Blessed Virgin and the Saints"?

A.By the superabundant satisfaction of the Blessed Virgin and the saints, we mean all the satisfaction over and above what was necessary to satisfy for their own sins. As their good works were many and their sins few--the Blessed Virgin being sinless--the satisfaction not needed for themselves is kept by the Church in a spiritual treasury to be used for our benefit.