Prayer is a powerful way to connect with God, and many Catholics use physical items or sacramentals to enhance their spiritual life. One such lesser known item is the Pardon Crucifix. This unique type of crucifix offers not only a beautiful and meaningful addition to a rosary, but also the opportunity to receive indulgences.
What is a Pardon Crucifix?
A Pardon Crucifix is a special type of crucifix that should be blessed by a priest and offers the opportunity to receive indulgences. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, indulgences are "a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as a minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints." (CCC 1471)
The history of the Crucifix can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when the Catholic Church began to promote the use of the cross as a symbol of salvation and as a means of obtaining indulgences. Over time, specific crucifixes were designed and crafted for the purpose of granting indulgences, and the Pardon Crucifix emerged as one of the more popular forms of these devotional objects, alongside the ever popular St. Benedict Crucifix.
A Pardon Crucifix is usually made of wood or metal and features the image of Jesus Christ on the cross, along with specific prayers and indulgences associated with the use of the crucifix. There are several different ways that somebody can get indulgences with a Pardon Crucifix.
Unleash the Power of Indulgences
Indulgences are benefits offered to Catholics by the Catholic Church through the sacraments, penances, and other acts of piety and devotion. By holding or kissing the Pardon Crucifix and reciting a specific prayer, Catholics can receive partial or full indulgences for their sins.
In 1905, St. Pius X declared the following means for gaining indulgences with a Pardon Crucifix:
- Whoever carries on his person the Pardon Crucifix, may thereby gain an indulgence.
- For devoutly kissing the Crucifix, an indulgence is gained.
- Whoever says one of the following invocations before this crucifix may gain each time an indulgence: “Our Father who art in heaven, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” “I beg the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray to the Lord our God for me.”
- Whoever, habitually devout to this Crucifix, will fulfill the necessary conditions of Confession and Holy Communion, may gain a Plenary Indulgence on the following feasts: On the feasts of the Five Wounds of our Lord, the Invention of the Holy Cross, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Immaculate Conception, and the Seven Sorrows (Dolors) of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Whoever, at the moment of death, fortified with the Sacraments of the Church, or contrite of heart, in the supposition of being unable to receive them, will kiss this Crucifix and ask pardon of God for his sins, and pardon his neighbor, will gain a Plenary Indulgence.
Features of a Pardon Crucifix
On the front of the Crucifix at the top is inscribed "Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judaeorum", which is translated from Latin as "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."
On the back of the Crucifix in the center is the Most Sacred Heart, and along the horizontal arm is "Father Forgive Them". Along the vertical arm are the words "Behold this heart which has so loved men."
The Pardon Crucifix is a powerful symbol of faith and devotion, and it offers the chance to receive indulgences that can help purify the soul. These indulgences are granted by the Church to encourage Catholics to grow in their faith and strengthen their relationship with God.
Whether you keep it in your pocket, on your keychain, or equipped to your Paracord Rosary, the Pardon Crucifix is a constant reminder of the power of prayer and the forgiveness offered by God. So, unleash the power of indulgences and take your faith to the next level with a Pardon Crucifix.
Our Sanctus Servo paracord rosaries have many different Crucifix options. We have many sizes and colors of the St. Benedict Crucifix, which is extremely popular, but we also have several colors and variations of the Pardon Crucifix, including antique copper, antique gold, silver and more.