Questions tagged [merit]

For questions related to the Catholic/Orthodox concepts of merit, treasury of merit, supererogation, and superabundant merit of Christ. Also for Protestant objections of how those 4 concepts are used by Catholics.

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Can Catholic works of ‘satisfaction’ (prayer, fasting, etc.) for the removal of temporal punishments of venial sin be credited to others still alive?

Here is what I think I understand: A Catholic believes in something called penance that is understood as a sacrament by which forgiveness of sins (committed after baptism) is granted through the ...
Mike's user avatar
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3 votes
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Is the phrase "for Jesus’ sake" compatible with Catholic theology?

From wels.net (emphasis mine): “For Jesus’ sake” means that we are coming to God in prayer, not pleading our own merits, but (“on account of”) Jesus’ merits... When we end our prayers with “for Jesus’...
qxn's user avatar
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What happens to the fruits of the Mass applied to a particular soul who is no longer in purgatory?

What happens to the fruits of the Mass applied to a particular soul who is no longer in purgatory?
Geremia's user avatar
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Reward in Heaven? What is it? (Catholic)

Catholic Church teaches that we will be rewarded differently in heaven based on our merit (i.e. based on the amount of good deeds that we have freely done during our earthy life; for example, see this ...
Jin-Dominique's user avatar
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2 answers
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Is Jesus talking about supererogatory merit in Matt 5:38-48? i.e. earning a reward rather than sin

I know the word "merit" will send up red flags for Protestants, but what I mean has nothing to do with justification. By supererogatory merit I mean doing something not required, and doing it for the ...
david brainerd's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
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Earliest quote by a Church Father on how saints can add their merit to the treasury which can then be applied to others

About Treasury of Merit The teaching of the treasury of merit (GotQuestions article here) in connection to the communion of saints and indulgences is explained in CCC 1476-1477 and is based on the ...
GratefulDisciple's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
74 views

What is the merit of praying for the souls of the faithful in purgatory compared to for the living?

From the preface by the publisher to Rev. Schouppe's Purgatory Explained by the Lives and Legends of the Saints: Our suffrages or offerings for the dead are more agreeable to God than our prayers and ...
Glorius's user avatar
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Does Our Lady purify our intentions?

Does Our Lady purify our intentions? For example, if one says a Hail Mary with mixed intentions (e.g., with the intention to please himself, though also with a virtual intention to please God), does ...
Geremia's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
854 views

How do the merits of the Saints in Heaven operate?

The Catholic Church teaches that saints in Heaven can no longer merit. So I was wondering if their merits run out at some point and how that works out for them. Related to this question, I want to ...
Destynation Y's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
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In Catholicism, is "offering it up" more aligned to the concept of merit or penance/satisfaction?

What is "offering it up" As a Protestant, the Catholic practice of "offering it up" is new to me, although once I am acquainted with it, it seems very Biblical; see this article ...
GratefulDisciple's user avatar