"When the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from Purgatory springs," is the famous jingle from that controversial time. It shows there is nothing new under the sun. Man is fallen and continually finds way to distort anything good. Indulgences are amazing gifts of mercy for ourselves or another who has passed on. Here's how I've come to see it: God will not be deceived. Maybe your prayers are of more value than the saintly lady you mention, it all comes down to intention and God sees that clearly, maybe even better than ourselves sometimes. I purposely took off of school this week with my kids inorder to visit the cemeteries in our area. It's by far my favorite time of year. With the crisp air and all of nature reflecting death's apparent victory. It's so appropriate of Mother Church to have dedicated this month to those who have fallen asleep before us.
A lovely reminder of the Holy Souls. November seems such a great pick for the Holy Souls. Here is Spain yesterday they place chrysanthemums at their dead ones graves and do a cleaning job at them. They also do a clean up job and after Mass their was a procession and blessing and prayers at the little cemetery. I think it is a natural extension of their love for family. Their love follows on in prayer after death.
Wow, just before I came here and read your post, I was trying to decide whether or not to take this week off of school with my kids to devote our time to prayer.... I will take this as a sign that I should do it! We are visiting a cemetery first thing in the morning. We've been so looking forward to it!
