Indulgences
What, when, how and why?
What is an indulgence?
An Indulgence is a remission, granted
by the Church, of the temporal
punishment which often remains due
to sin after its guilt has been forgiven.
Note: the temporal punishment is
what the purification in purgatory is
achieving
What is Purgatory?
Purgatory is the state of those who
die in God’s friendship, assured of
their eternal salvation, but who still
have need of purification to enter into
the happiness of heaven.
How can I help the souls being
purified in Purgatory?
Because of the communion of saints,
the faithful who are still pilgrims on
earth are able to help the souls in
purgatory by offering prayers in
suffrage for them, especially the
Eucharistic sacrifice. They also help
them by almsgiving, indulgences, and
works of penance.
Two types of Indulgences
“Plenary” indulgences remit all of the
existing temporal punishment due for
the individual’s sins. An individual can
only earn one plenary indulgence per
day.
“Partial” indulgences remit only a part
of the existing punishment.
What acts can earn an indulgence?
A partial indulgence is granted the Christian
faithful who devoutly spend time in mental prayer.
A plenary indulgence is granted when the rosary is
recited in a church or oratory or when it is recited
in a family, a religious community, or a pious
association. A partial indulgence is granted for its
recitation in all other circumstances.
A partial indulgence is granted the Christian
faithful who read sacred Scripture with the
veneration due God’s word and as a form of
spiritual reading. The indulgence will be a plenary
one when such reading is done for at least onehalf hour [provided the other conditions are met].
What acts can earn an indulgence?
A partial indulgence is granted to the
Christian faithful who devoutly sign
themselves with the cross while saying the
customary formula: "In the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen."
A partial indulgence is granted for the
recitation of the Angelus.
A partial indulgence is granted to Christian
faithful who on day of the liturgical feast of
any saint recite in that Saint's honour and
prayer taken from the Missal or other
prayer approved by legitimate authority.
Is that all?
In addition to the acts stated a Plenary
indulgence also requires:
reconciliation, which is required for all
indulgences
receiving the Eucharist
complete renunciation of all attachment to
sin, including venial sin.
pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.
An Our Father and a Hail Mary said for the
intentions of the Pontiff is sufficient,
although you are free to substitute other
prayers of your own choice.
Summary – (please copy)
Indulgence will assist you to be purified in
purgatory faster
There are two main types of indulgences:
Plenary (full) and Partial
Making the sign of the cross, praying the
Rosary or Angelus, or reading scriptures
can bring about indulgences
You should also go to reconciliation,
receive the Eucharist, renounce all sin and
pray for the Popes intention for the
indulgence to take affect