Scala Sancta - Scala Sancta in The Catholic Church

Scala Sancta in The Catholic Church

In the Catholic Church, plenary indulgence has been granted for climbing the stairs on the knees. Pius VII on 2 September 1817 granted those who ascend the stairs in the prescribed manner an indulgence of nine years for every step. Finally Pius X, on 26 February 1908, granted a plenary indulgence to be gained as often as the stairs are devoutly ascended after confession and communion.

Not a few popes are recorded to have performed this pious exercise; Pius IX, who in 1853 entrusted the Passionist Fathers with the care of the sanctuary, ascended the Holy Stairs on 19 September 1870, the eve of the entrance of the Piedmontese into Rome.

Martin Luther allegedly climbed these steps on his knees in 1511. As he did so, he repeated the Pater Nosters. At the top Luther raised himself and said, "Who knows whether it is so?" He believed that this recollection was a prompting from the Holy Spirit admonishing him to rely on faith alone, rather than works. This was later described as a turning point in his life. However, the veracity of this account is uncertain.