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About Indulgences
What is an Indulgence?
An indulgence is the remission of the temporal punishment due to us on account of our sins. Every sin, however grievous, is remitted through the sacrament of penance, or by
an act of perfect contrition, as regards its guilt and the eternal punishment due to it. But the debt of temporal punishment is not always remitted at the same time. This
latter is done away with by deep penitence, or by works of satisfaction, e.g. prayers, alms, fasting, etc.; or by the patient endurance of troubles and adversities sent us
by God, etc.; or by the satisfaction of our Lord Jesus Christ and the saints, applied to us through indulgences by those who have the power to apply them. And although, in
order to escape this temporal punishment, we must not rely on indulgences alone, to the neglect of good works; yet, because, at the best, our own good works are very
imperfect, and the debt of punishment due to us very great, we ought to endeavor, as frequently as possible, to avail ourselves of the benefits of indulgences.
What kind of Indulgences are There?
Indulgences are of two kinds: 1st, a plenary indulgence, when fully gained, is a full and entire remission of all the temporal
punishment due to sin. The eight indulgences granted to the faithful at the principal festivals in the year, are plenary indulgences. A jubilee is also a plenary
indulgence occasionally granted by the Pope to the whole Church, in the most ample manner and with the greatest solemnity. There are many other plenary indulgences granted
to various good works. 2nd, a partial or limited indulgence, as of ten years of a hundred days, etc., remits as much of the temporal punishment as would have been remitted
by ten years, or a hundred days, etc., of the canonical penances formerly imposed on public penitents.
What are the conditions for gaining a Plenary Indulgence?
The conditions are as follows:
- One must be baptized and in the state of grace
- One must receive Holy Communion each time a plenary indulgence is sought
- One must go to Confession within approximately a 2 week period
- One must have a disposition of mind and heart which totally excludes all attachment to sin
- One must pray for the intentions of the Holy Father... an "Our Father" or a "Hail Mary" is suggested
- One must have at least a general intention to gain a plenary indulgence
- One must fulfill one of the following suggested spiritual works:
+ At least a half hour of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament;
+ Family or group Rosary;
+ Private Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament;
+ At least a half hour of pious reading of Sacred Scripture
+ Walking the Stations of the Cross in a church or with properly erected display of the Stations.
Indulgences can also be applied to the souls in Purgatory.
