Dear Anthony:

Well, the answer to your questions depends upon exactly how we are defining the phrase "make up for".

If we mean that a person can do something that will cause the other person forgiven by proxy, then we are mistaken. Sin is personal and must be personally brought to the Sacrament of Confession if mortal, or to God through personal acts of contrition and good works if venial.

If we mean that we can do something to help another person pay for the consequences of sin, then that is true. The sin itself is forgiven, but consequences or residue of sin remains that must be purged from our souls before entering heaven -- therefore the blessing of purgatory to accomplish this if there is still any residue remaining at our death.

In this context we can do various things that will grant an indulgence for those in purgatory to help them pay for the consequences of their sin on earth and thereby assist them in passing through purgatory and entering heaven faster.

If we mean that we can perform mortifications on behalf of another person in hopes that our prayers will increase the spiritual power to get through to a person to convert or repent, etc., then that is true too.

Most religious orders have Mass Associations whereby those who join share in the prayers, mortifications, masses, and spiritual benefits gained by the Order. This helps the member in his own life.

In a similar manner we can offer our mortifications and spiritual benefits for the benefit of another person in hopes that they will convert, repent, or whatever. This does not "cause" them to convert, but rather increases the changes of their conversion due to the spiritual power being applied on their behalf.

If we mean performing mortifications for the general ills and sins of the world, then that is true too. The "Divine Praises" said during Benediction do precisely that -- offer praises to balance out all the blasphemies committed by people during the day. I recommend everyone pray the Divine Prayers each night.

This does not mean that the sins of blasphemy has been erased. Forgiveness for those who blaspheme can only happen if the individual himself repents and asks for forgiveness. It does not mean that the effects of the blasphemes have disappeared. They are still there, but the effects can be diluted.

The water that we drink is not pure. There are all sorts of impurities in drinking water, but those contaminates are so diluted that they are not harmful to us. In a similar manner, when we offer praises in the fact of all the blasphemies, the effects of blasphemy are diluted in our society.

More importantly, we as a people need to lift up our praises and mortifications to God on behalf of the human race and its sins. If it were not for all the cloistered monks and nuns praying for the world, the world would be a much worse place. I realize that is hard to believe given the state of the world today, but imagine it being worse.

Both from Scripture and from messages from our Blessed Mother at Fatima and other approved apparitions we learn that the prayers of a few can affect many, even the world. The restraining hand of God who could wipe out the world as He did with the Great Flood has been held back due to prayers for the world.

Thus our prayers and mortifications on behalf of specific people, or on behalf of our city, state, or nation, or on behalf of the world are proper and do have an effect. Our prayers and mortifications do not absolve other people's sins, people are responsible for their own sins, but such prayers and mortifications can help others or help the world.

With this said, however, no one should EVER perform severe mortifications without the sound advice from a Spiritual Director who is familiar with such things. Abstaining from the marital embrace for a year qualifies as extreme. Whipping oneself so that blood is drawn is extreme, waking the Way of the Cross on one's knees on that hard rocks is extreme. Even wearing a hair shirt is extreme. Do not attempt these or other extreme mortifications without consulting and following the advice of a wise Spiritual Director.

God bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary