Indulgences 101: The history of a controversial Catholic practice

On this Jubilee Year of Hope-themed episode of “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley chat with Father Ramil Fajardo, a tribunal judge in the Archdiocese of Chicago, about indulgences: What are they? Where did they come from? And how are they practiced today? 

Zac, Ashley and Father Ramil discuss:

- The evolution of indulgences, from the early church through the Protestant Reformation to today

- The four current grants of indulgences, which involve acts of faith, charity, penance and witness

- How to approach indulgences during the current Jubilee Year of Hope

In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a recent announcement from Buckingham Palace that King Charles II and Queen Camilla will be received in a Vatican audience by Pope Francis on April 8; and describe the busy lives of nuns working the Vatican switchboard to soothe anxious callers asking about Pope Francis’ health. 

Jesuitical is coming to Philadelphia! Join the Jesuitical team in Philadelphia for a Holy & Happy Hour at the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Topic: How to talk to your friends about your faith

Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Location: 1166 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146

Time: 6 p.m. adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; 7 p.m. group faith sharing and happy hour (come to either or both!)

Links for further reading: 

Vatican norms for Jubilee indulgence include pilgrimage, penance, service

The Key Of Heaven: A Prayer Book for Catholics

Manual of Indulgences

The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius 

Breaking: Pope Francis will receive King Charles III and Queen Camilla in audience in the Vatican on April 8

At the Vatican switchboard, nuns soothe anxious callers about Pope Francis

You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.  

You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices