INDULGENCES
Indulgence: the remission before God of this temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been
forgiven, a remission which one of this faithful, properly disposed and under certain definite conditions, can
acquire through the Church which as minister of this redemption authoritatively dispenses and applies the
treasure of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.
An indulgence is plenary or partial - depending upon whether it frees one from the whole or from a part of the
temporal punishment due to sin.
Partial indulgence: this means that one of the faithful who, with at least a contrite heart, performs a work enriched with a partial indulgence, is granted by the power of the Church that same amount of remission of temporal punishment as he has already obtained by the work itself. In other words, the remission is doubled, and that as often as the prescribed work is performed.
Some of the prayers and good works for which a partial indulgence is granted:
A partial indulgence is granted to one of the faithful who, in the performance of his duties and the bearing of the burdens of life, raises his mind to God in humble trust, adding - even if only mentally - some pious invocation.
A partial indulgence is granted to one of the faithful who, animated by a spirit of faith and with a merciful heart,
gives himself or his goods to the service of the brethren who are in need.
A partial indulgence is granted to one of the faithful who in a penitential spirit of his own accord abstains from
something permitted and pleasing.
Acts of faith, hope, charity and contrition (any good formula) Each Act indulgenced
A visit of adoration to the Blessed Sacrament
Spiritual Communion. Any devout formula
Devout recitation of the Apostles Creed or the Nicene Creed
Teaching or studying Christian Doctrine
For each of the Litanies: Holy Name of Jesus, Sacred Heart, Precious Blood, Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, All Saints.
For devoutly making use of an object of piety (crucifix, cross, rosary, scapular medal) properly blessed by any
priest
Spending some time in devout mental prayer
Devoutly and attentively being present at a sermon
For participating in a monthly recollection
For saying the rosary privately
For reading Sacred Scripture as spiritual reading with the veneration and devotion due to the word of God
For devoutly making the Sign of the Cross saying the words: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
For renewing one's baptismal vows, using any customary formula
How much punishment is remitted depends upon "the degree to which the charity of the one performing this act is greater, and in proportion to this degree to which the act itself is performed in a more perfect way."
Some of the prayers and good works enriched with a plenary indulgence:
Visiting the Blessed Sacrament to adore the Same for at least half an hour.
For spending at least half an hour in reading Sacred Scripture with the veneration due to the divine word and in the form of spiritual reading.
For performing the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross.
For reciting the rosary (at least 5 decades) with meditation on the respective mysteries in a church, or in a family...
For making a retreat of at least three whole days.
For renewing one's baptismal vows by using the customary formula during the celebration of the Easter Vigil or on the anniversary of one's baptism.
For the receiving of one's first Holy Communion or for being devoutly present at the ceremonies of first Holy
Communion.
Only one plenary indulgence can be gained on one and the same day, except for those at the point of death.
Things necessary for gaining a plenary indulgence:
The performance of the work to which the indulgence is attached.
Sacramental Confession
One confession suffices for gaining several plenary indulgences on different days. For gaining daily plenary
indulgences go to Confession at least every two weeks.
Eucharistic Communion *
Communion must be received for the gaining of each plenary indulgence.
Prayer for the intention of the Pope *
Prayers for the Pope's intentions must be recited for the gaining of each plenary indulgence, e.g., One Our
Father and one Hail Mary, although one is free to say any other prayer except on All Souls' Day when the prayers prescribed are one Our Father and one Creed.
In addition, it is required that the attachment to sin, even venial sin, be absent.
* The conditions of Confession, Communion, and prayer for the Pope's intention may be fulfilled several days
before or after the performance of the prescribed work. But it is fitting that the prayers for the Pope and
Communion be on the same day the work is performed.
Who is capable of gaining an indulgence:
one must be baptized;
not excommunicated
in this state of grace, at least when he complies with the last work prescribed
Conditions for gaining an indulgence:
person must have at least the general intention of gaining it
must comply with the conditions prescribed
Indulgences can be applied to ourselves or to the souls in Purgatory.