Partial indulgences remove some or all of the guilt or debt pending from a soul in purgatory.
It should be remembered that to gain partial indulgence, it is necessary to carry out the work enriched with the indulgence, to have the intention of winning it and at least to be internally repentant.
There is no limit to earn them on the day.
The partial indulgence adds the remission of the same amount of penalty that the same work earns for doing it. In other words, with indulgence one gets twice as much remission for the same act as if one did without it.
Download the Releasing Souls from Purgatory application that will help you along with other prayers advising you of the times and days to win them.
There are four general concessions that include acts that grant partial indulgence and a special concession that describes more specific acts.
First General Grant
A partial indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who, while carrying out their duties and enduring the hardships of life, raise their minds in humble trust to God and make, at least mentally, some pious invocation.
By this first grant, the faithful are guided to fulfill the command of Christ, “Pray always without becoming weary,” and at the same time are admonished to carry out their respective duties to preserve and strengthen their union with Christ.
Second General Grant
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who, led by the spirit of faith, give compassionately of themselves or of their goods to serve their brothers in need.
By the granting of this indulgence, the faithful are encouraged to perform more frequent works of charity and mercy, following the example and command of Jesus Christ.
Nevertheless, not all works of charity are enriched with this indulgence, but only works that “serve their brothers in need” —such as those in want of food or clothing for the body or of instruction or comfort for the soul.
Third General Grant
A partial indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who, in a spirit of penance, voluntarily abstain from something that is licit for and pleasing to them.
This grant is particularly suitable for our times in which, over and above the mild law regarding fast and abstinence, it is altogether opportune that the faithful be encouraged to practice penance.
By holding their appetites in check, the faithful are moved to regain mastery of their bodies and to conform themselves to the poor and suffering Christ.
Self-denial, however, will be more precious if it is joined to charity, in accord with the teaching of St. Leo the Great: “We should pay to good works what we refuse to indulgence. Let the poor man feast on what our fasting has denied us.”
Fourth General Grant
A partial indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who, in the particular circumstances of daily life, voluntarily give explicit witness to their faith before others.
This grant encourages the faithful to profess their faith openly before others, for the glory of God and the building up of the Church.
St. Augustine wrote: “Let your Creed be a mirror for you. See yourself in it, if you believe all that you profess, and rejoice daily in your faith.” The Christian life of each and every day, therefore,
will be like the “Amen” concluding the “I believe” of our profession of baptismal faith.
Special Grants
Remember that every prayer is covered by grant 1, so I will omit those referring to the prayers and include them at the end, you are there because you are very dear to the faithful but it does not mean that the others are not covered.
CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who teach or study Christian doctrine.
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE AND ACT OF CONTRITION
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who, especially in preparation for sacramental confession,
- examine their conscience with the purpose of amendment;
- devoutly recite an act of contrition, according to any legitimate formula (e.g., the Confiteor, the psalm De profundis, or the psalm Miserere, or any of the gradual or penitential psalms).
Remember that you can gain indulgence with what was sent to Penance by the confessor, for example if he sends the Rosary to pray.
USE OF ARTICLES OF DEVOTION
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly use such articles of devotion properly blessed by either a priest or a deacon.
MENTAL PRAYER
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who for their personal edification devoutly spend time in mental prayer.
LISTENING TO SACRED PREACHING
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who assist with attention and devotion at other occasions of the preaching of the Word of God (that are not during the Holy Mission since these are plenary).
PROFESSION OF FAITH AND ACTS OF THE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who:
- renew their baptismal vows in any formula;
- devoutly sign themselves with the sign of the cross, using the customary words: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen;
- devoutly recite either the Apostles’ Creed or the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed;
- recite an Act of Faith, Hope, and Charity in any legitimate formula.
FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
A partial indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who:
- devoutly visit (remember that plenary indulgence is gained between November 1 and 8) a cemetery and at least mentally pray for the dead;
- devoutly recite lauds or vespers from the Office of the Dead or the prayer Eternal rest.
Requiem aeternam
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.
READING OF SACRED SCRIPTURE
Partial indulgence is granted to the faithful Christian who reads the Holy Scripture with the veneration due to the divine word and as a spiritual reading (remember that if it is for more than half an hour you can win plenary indulgence)
If for some good reason a person is unable to read the Sacred Scriptures, a plenary or partial indulgence is granted, as above, if the text of Sacred Scripture is listened to while another person is reading or if it is heard by means of a video or audio recording.
VISITING SACRED PLACES
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly visit one of the ancient Christian cemeteries or catacombs.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AND PROCESSION
partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who:
- visit the Blessed Sacrament for adoration;
- offer any duly approved prayer to Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament (e.g., the Adoro te devote, the prayer O sacrum convivium, or the Tantum ergo).
O sacrum convivium
O sacred banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of his Passion is renewed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.
Tantum ergo
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail;
Lo! o’er ancient forms departing,
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.
To the everlasting Father,
And the Son who reigns on high,
With the Holy Spirit proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty. Amen.
V. You have given them bread from heaven,
R. Having all delight within it.
Let us pray. O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament left us a memorial of your Passion: grant, we implore you, that we may so venerate the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood, as always to be conscious of the fruit of your Redemption. You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
EUCHARISTIC AND SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who, using any duly approved pious formula, make:
- an act of spiritual communion;
- an act of thanksgiving after Communion (e.g., Anima Christi; En ego, O bone et dulcissime Iesu).
Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come to thee,
That with thy saints I may praise thee for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Roman Missal, Thanksgiving after Mass)
En ego, O bone et dulcissime IesuBehold, O kind and most sweet Jesus, I cast myself upon my knees in thy sight, and with the most fervent desire of my soul, I pray and beseech thee that thou wouldst impress upon my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, with true contrition for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment; while with deep affection and grief of soul I ponder within myself and mentally contemplate thy five wounds, having before my eyes the words which David the prophet put on thy lips concerning thee: “My hands and my feet they have pierced, they have numbered all my bones.”
(Roman Missal, Thanksgiving after Mass)
PRAYERS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
The prayer of the Holy Rosary outside the circumstances to gain plenary indulgence, the indulgence will be partial.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who:
- devoutly recite the canticle of the Magnificat;
- either at dawn, noon, or evening devoutly recite the Angelus with its accompanying versicles and prayer or, during the Easter season, the Regina caeli antiphon with its usual prayer;
- devoutly address the Blessed Virgin Mary with some approved prayer (e.g., Maria, Mater gratiae; the Memorare; the Salve Regina; the Sancta Maria, succurre miseris; or the Sub tuum praesidium.)
Angelus Domini
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,
R / . And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary…
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord,
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary…
V. And the Word was made flesh,
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary…
V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts: that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Roman Missal, Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent)
Regina caeli
Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia:
For the Son thou wast privileged to bear, alleluia,
Is risen as he said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia!
R. For the Lord is truly risen, Alleluia.
(Liturgy of the Hours, Night Prayer for the Season of Easter)
Let us pray: O God, who gave joy to the world through the Resurrection of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we beseech thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Roman Missal, Collect from the Common of the B.V.M. during the Easter Season)
Maria, Mater gratiae
Mary, Mother of grace and Mother of mercy, shield me from the enemy and receive me at the hour of my death.
Memorare, O piissima Virgo Maria
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
(Liturgy of the Hours, Ordinary for Night Prayer)
Salve, Regina
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy; Hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
(Liturgy of the Hours, Night Prayer)
Sancta Maria, succurre miseris
Holy Mary, succor the miserable, help the fainthearted, comfort the sorrowful, pray for thy people, plead for the clergy, intercede for all women consecrated to God; may all who keep thy holy commemoration feel now thy help and protection.
Sub tuum praesidium
We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
(Liturgy of the Hours, Night Prayer)
PRAYERS TO ONE’S GUARDIAN ANGEL
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly invoke the care of their guardian Angel with a duly approved prayer (e.g. Angele Dei).
Angele Dei
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom his love entrusts me here, enlighten and guard, rule and guide me. Amen.
PRAYERS IN HONOR OF ST. JOSEPH
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who invoke St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with a duly approved prayer (e.g., Ad te, beate Ioseph).
Ad te, beate Ioseph
To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the helpof your most holy spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities. O most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness. As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.
PRAYERS IN HONOR OF THE APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite the prayer Sancti Apostoli Petre et Paule.
Sancti Apostoli Petre et Paule
Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, intercede for us.
Guard your people, who rely on the patronage of your apostles Peter and Paul, O Lord, and keep them under your continual protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYERS IN HONOR OF THE SAINTS AND BLESSEDS
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who on the memorial of any saint listed in the calendar recite in that saint’s honor the prayer taken from the Missal or another one approved by legitimate authority.
NOVENAS, LITANIES, AND THE LITTLE OFFICES
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who:
- devoutly assist at public novenas (e.g., prior to the Solemnities of the Nativity of the Lord, or of Pentecost, or of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary);
- devoutly recite approved litanies (e.g., of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and of the Saints);
- piously recite an approved little office (e.g., of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception, or St. Joseph).
PRAYERS OF THE EASTERN CHURCHES
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who, in accordance with particular times and circumstances, devoutly recite one of the following prayers: a Prayer of Thanksgiving (from the Armenian tradition); Evening Prayer, Prayer for the Faithful Departed (from the Byzantine Tradition); the Prayer of the Shrine, the Prayer “Lakhu Mara” known as To You, O Lord, (from the Chaldean Tradition); a Prayer for the Offering of Incense, Prayer to Glorify Mary, the Mother of God (from the Coptic Tradition); Prayer for the Remission of Sins, Prayer for Following in the Footsteps of Christ (from the Ethiopian Tradition); Prayer for the Church, Prayer After the Celebration of the Liturgy (from the Maronite Tradition), and the Intercessions for the Faithful Departed from the Liturgy of St. James (from the Syro-Antiochian Tradition).
PRAYERS FOR BENEFACTORS
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who, moved by supernatural gratitude, devoutly recite a duly approved prayer for benefactors (e.g., Retribuere dignare, Domine).
Retribuere dignare, Domine
May it please you, O Lord, to reward with eternal life all those who do good to us for your Name’s sake. Amen.
PRAYERS FOR PASTORS
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who:
- in a spirit of filial devotion, devoutly recite any duly approved prayer for the Supreme Pontiff (e.g., the Oremus pro Pontifice);
- similarly, devoutly recite a prayer taken from the Missal for the bishop of an eparchy or diocese on the occasion of the beginning of his pastoral ministry or on its anniversary.
Oremus pro Pontifice
V. Let us pray for our Sovereign Pontiff N.
R. The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not to the will of his enemies.
PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION AND ACTS OF THANKSGIVING
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who,
1° at the beginning and the end of the day,
2° in starting and completing their work,
3° before and after meals,
devoutly offer some legitimately approved prayer of supplication and act of thanksgiving (e.g., Actiones nostras; Adsumus; Agimus Tibi gratias; Benedic, Domine; Domine, Deus Omnipotens; Exaudi nos; the Te Deum; the Veni Creator; the Veni Sancte Spiritus; Visita, quaesumus, Domine).
Actiones nostras
Direct, we beseech thee, O Lord, all our actions by thy holy inspiration, carry them on by thy gracious assistance, that every word and work of ours may always begin from thee and by thee be happily ended. Amen.
(A prayer for imploring divine assistance before any work)
(Roman Missal, Thursday after Ash Wednesday, Collect; Liturgy of the Hours, Monday of the 1st week, Morning Prayer)
Adsumus
We have come, O Lord, Holy Spirit, we have come before you, hampered indeed by our many and grievous sins, but for a special purpose gathered together in your name.
Come to us, be with us, and enter our hearts.
Teach us what we are to do and what ought to concern us; show us what we must accomplish, in order that, with your help, we may be able to please you in all things.
May you alone be the author and the finisher of our judgments, who alone with God the Father and his Son possess a glorious name.
Do not allow us to disturb the order of justice, you who love equity above all things. Let not ignorance draw us into devious paths. Let not partiality sway our minds or respect of riches or persons pervert our judgment.
But unite our hearts to you by the gift of your grace alone, that we may be one in you and never forsake the truth; as we are gathered together in your name, so may we in all things hold fast to justice tempered by mercy, that in this life our judgment maynever be at variance with you and in the life to come we may attain to everlasting rewards for deeds well done. Amen.
(Prayer before a meeting dealing with matters of common interest)
Agimus tibi gratias
We give You thanks, Almighty God, for all your blessings: who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
(A prayer of thanksgiving)
Benedic, Domine
Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Book of Blessings, no. 785)
Domine, Deus omnipotens
Lord, God Almighty, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day. Defend us today by your mighty power, that we may not fall into any sin, but that all our words may so proceed and all our thoughts and actions be so directed, as to be always just in your sight. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Liturgy of the Hours, Monday Morning Prayer of Week Two)
Exaudi nos
Hear us, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God; and graciously send your holy angel from heaven to watch over, to cherish, to protect, to abide with, and to defend all who dwell in this house. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
(Liturgy of the Hours, Pentecost Sunday)
Visita, quaesumus, Domine
Visit, we beg you, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive from it all snares of the enemy: let your holy Angels dwell herein, to keep us in peace; and let your blessing be always upon us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Liturgy of the Hours, Night Prayer for Solemnities)
Download the Releasing Souls from Purgatory application that will help you along with other prayers advising you of the times and days to win them.