PLENARY INDULGENCES
JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE – PLENARY INDULGENCES
Indulgences – What’s it all about?
Confessed and forgiven sins do not condemn a person to hell; however, there are still consequences that must be faced, either in this life or in purgatory. An indulgence is a means by which the recipient can be relieved of those consequences. Obtaining an indulgence requires genuine repentance, a commitment to living a holy life, the reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion as soon as possible, and prayers for the Holy Father. Indulgences cannot be purchased, nor can they be obtained through insincere actions.
There are two types of indulgences: a partial indulgence, which alleviates some of the punishment for sins, and a plenary indulgence, which removes all punishment. Both types draw from the merits of Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and the saints. These merits represent spiritual benefits accrued through virtuous living, contrasting with demerits. The Church grants indulgences based on a vast treasury of merits that includes the infinite worth of Christ’s Passion, death, and Resurrection, along with the prayers and good deeds of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints—those who are living holy lives here on earth.
PLENARY INDULGENCES
The Catholic Church provides several straightforward and accessible methods for obtaining a plenary indulgence. While the concept of indulgences can be mysterious and perplexing, particularly for those outside the Catholic faith, the Church actively encourages this practice and has specified various ways to achieve a plenary indulgence.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church offers a brief overview of the theological foundations that underpin the practice of indulgences.
“An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.”
“An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin.” The faithful can gain indulgences for themselves or apply them to the dead.
CCC 1471
Common ways to obtain a plenary indulgence
First of all, the basic requirements for plenary indulgences are as follows:
It is further required that all attachment to sin, even to venial sin, be absent. Furthermore, “The three conditions may be fulfilled several days before or after the performance of the prescribed work.”
Here is a partial list of some of the more common ways to obtain a plenary indulgence year round.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for at least one half hour
Simply spend 30 minutes adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
Devout reading of the Sacred Scriptures for at least one half hour
Read any part of the Bible for 30 minutes.
The pious exercise of the Way of the Cross
Perform the Way of the Cross devotion any time of the year.
Pray the Rosary in a church or public oratory or in a family group
Praying the Rosary in public, in a church, chapel, or even at home with the family, can grant a plenary indulgence.
Go on a retreat
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who spend at least three whole days in the spiritual exercises of a retreat.
Receive a Papal Blessing
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who piously and devoutly receive, even by radio transmission, the Blessing of the Sovereign Pontiff, when imparted to Rome and the World.
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