The prayers of the people and the graces of the trinity collected by Mary and sent to the souls in Purgatory
Plenary indulgences remove all the guilt or debt pending from a soul in purgatory or if it is applied to one of all the debt until it is earned.
It should be remembered that in order to gain plenary indulgence, the execution of the work enriched with indulgence and the fulfillment of the following three conditions are required: sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Roman Pontiff.
It further requires that all affection for sin, even venial, be excluded.
If the work enriched with plenary indulgence is capable of being divided into parts (for example, the Marian Rosary – which is prayed in parts, divided into dozens), the one who for a reasonable cause does not carry out the complete work, can win, by the part you have performed, partial indulgence.
You can only earn one plenary indulgence per day except in the case of life threatening.
But remember the sacrifice of the mass is superior to everything including the indulgences so that a mass will never have an indulgence because it is already complete by itself for the complete sacrifice of Christ in it. So if you have to choose, choose Mass first.
Download the application Releasing Souls from Purgatory that will help you along with other prayers advising you of the moments and days to earn them.
Indulgences that can be earned every day of the year:
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for at least half an hour.
- the pious exercise of the Via Crucis.
- the recitation of the Marian Rosary or of the hymn Akhátistos in a church or an oratory, or in a family, in a religious community, in a pious association and, in general, provided that several faithful gather for a good purpose.
- the pious reading of the Holy Scripture for at least half an hour.
To gain plenary indulgence on Via Crucis, the following is established:
- The pious exercise must be practiced before the legitimately erected Via Crucis stations.
- In order to erect the Via Crucis, fourteen crosses are required, to which it is helpful to add as many pictures or images representing the stations of Jerusalem. (These boxes are not mandatory but crosses are).
- According to the most widespread custom, this pious exercise consists of fourteen pious readings, to which some vocal prayers are added. However, to perform this pious exercise, only the pious meditation of the Passion and Death of the Lord is required, without a consideration being necessary on each of the mysteries of the seasons.
- The passage from one station to another is required.
If the pious exercise is practiced publicly and the movement of all those present cannot be carried out without avoiding the disorder, it is enough that the person who directs the exercise moves to each station, without the others moving from their place. In fact, they will be “pilgrimage” with their eyes, and, even better, with their hearts.
- Those who are legitimately impeded (that is, or those who in no way can meet all the requirements or those who, if able to complete them, would not be without causing or causing others some serious prejudice, such as, for example, leaving of caring for a terminally ill person) can gain the same indulgence, if at least for a time, for example, a quarter of an hour, they devote themselves to the pious reading and meditation of the Passion and Death of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- The pious exercise of the Way of the Cross assimilates, also in regard to the achievement of indulgence, other pious exercises, approved by the competent authority, in which the Passion and Death of the Lord is remembered, maintaining the said fourteen seasons.
With respect to the Rosary, plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful Christian who
- Pray devoutly the Marian Rosary in a church or oratory, or in family, in a religious community, in a pious association and, in general, in any meeting of the faithful; (The Rosary is the most important of the pious exercises in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary).
- Devoutly join the prayer of this prayer carried out by the Supreme Pontiff and broadcast by radio or television. Regarding the plenary indulgence, the following is established: a) The prayer of only a quarter of the Rosary is enough; but the five tens must pray in a row. b) To the vocal prayer must be added the pious meditation of the mysteries. c) In the public prayer, the mysteries must be stated according to the custom admitted in each place; In private prayer, it is enough for the faithful Christian to join the meditation of mysteries to vocal prayer.
Reparation act in the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful Christian who, in the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, publicly prays for the next act of reparation; in any other circumstance the indulgence will be partial.
Most sweet Jesus, whose overflowing charity for men is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Thee, eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries to which Thy loving Heart is everywhere subject. Mindful, alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Thy pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation, not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying far from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow Thee, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the promises of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Thy law.
We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against Thee; we are now determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holydays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against Thee and Thy Saints.
We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Thy Vicar on earth and Thy priests are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of Thy Divine Love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which Thou hast founded. Would that we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood.
We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Thy divine honor, the satisfaction Thou once made to Thy Eternal Father on the Cross and which Thou continuest to renew daily on our Altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Thy Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Thy grace, for all neglect of Thy great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth, we will live a life of unswerving faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the Gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent others from offending Thee and to bring as many as possible to follow Thee.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mother, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to Thee, so that we may all one day come to that happy home, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit Thou livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Act of consecration of the human race to Jesus Christ the King
Plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful Christian who, in the solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ King (on Sunday XXXIV of Ordinary Time), publicly prays the (next) act of consecration of the human race to Jesus Christ the King; in any other circumstance, the indulgence will be partial.
Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thine altar. We are Thine, and Thine we wish to be; but to be more surely united to Thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates ourselves today to Thy Most Sacred Heart.
Many indeed have never known Thee; Many too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart. Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful children, who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children, who have abandoned Thee; Grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.
Be Thou King of all those who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry or of Islamism, and refuse not to draw them into the light and kingdom of God. Turn Thine eyes of mercy towards the children of the race, once Thy chosen people: of old they called down upon themselves the Blood of the Savior; may it now descend upon them a laver of redemption and of life.
Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry; praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; To it be glory and honor forever. Amen.
hymn “Down in adoration falling” (Tantum ergo) on Holy Thursday
Piously recite the stanzas of the hymn “Down in adoration falling” (Tantum ergo) in front of the Blessed Sacrament solemnly exposed after Mass in Domini Dinner on Holy Thursday
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail,
Lo! oe’r 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.
R. Thou hast given them bread from heaven.
V. Having within it all sweetness.
Let us pray: O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament left us a memorial of Thy Passion: grant, we implore Thee, that we may so venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, as always to be conscious of the fruit of Thy Redemption. Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever.
R. Amen.
solemn Eucharistic procession in the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
Plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful Christian who piously participates in the solemn Eucharistic procession, particularly important, in the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, whether this procession takes place inside the temple or is carried out abroad; (Thursday, which is the day of this solemnity, or the following Sunday, to which it is transferred in many countries).
pray “Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus” on Friday of Lent and Good Friday
Plenary indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who piously pray the prayer “Look at me, oh, good and sweet Jesus” before the image of the crucified Christ, after Communion, any Friday of Lent or Friday of the Passion of The Lord.
Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before your face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul pray and beseech you to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment, while I contemplate with great love and tender pity your five wounds, pondering over them within me, calling to mind the words which David, your prophet, said of you, my good Jesus: “They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones.”
Commemoration of the Passion and Death of the Lord (Good Friday)
Plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful Christian who:
- On Holy Friday of the Passion and Death of the Lord piously attend the worship of the cross in the solemn liturgical action. (Only within the framework of said celebration).
- Practice the pious exercise of the Via Crucis or join the one piously practiced by the Supreme Pontiff (in the Roman Colosseum) and which is broadcast on radio or television.
Renew the promises of baptism in the Easter Vigil or baptism anniversary
Renewal of Baptismal Promises. A partial indulgence is granted to those who renew their baptismal promises according to any formula in use; but a PLENARY INDULGENCE is granted if this is done in celebration of the Paschal Vigil or on the anniversary of one’s baptism.
Papal blessing on Easter and Nativity of the Lord
Plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful Christian who receives piously and devoutly, even if only through radio or television, the blessing given by the Supreme Pontiff: Urbi et Orbi, (blessing that is imparted only on the two holiest days of the Year: Easter and Nativity of the Lord)
hymn Veni Creator on the first day of the year or Pentecost
“Come, Holy Spirit, Creator Blest.” PLENARY INDULGENCE if recited on the first of January or on the feast of the Pentecost. Otherwise, a partial indulgence is granted to those who recite it.
Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God’s hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.
Kindle our sense from above,
and make our hearts o’erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.
Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen.
hymn Te Deum, on the last day of the year
The Te Deum.
PLENARY INDULGENCE when recited publicly on the last day of the year. Otherwise a partial indulgence is granted to those who recite the Te Deum in thanksgiving.
I. Praise to the Trinity
We praise thee, O God: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship Thee, the Father everlasting.
To Thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens and all the powers therein.
To Thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry, Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy Glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles praise Thee.
The godly fellowship of the Prophets praise Thee.
The noble army of Martyrs praise Thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge Thee;
The Father of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true, and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost: the Comforter.
II. Praise of Christ
Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man: Thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.
When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father.
We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.
We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in glory everlasting.
III. Prayers
O Lord, save Thy people: and bless Thine heritage.
Govern them and lift them up for ever.
Day by day we magnify Thee; and we worship Thy Name, ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let Thy mercy lighten upon us: as our trust is in Thee.
O Lord, in Thee have I trusted: let me never be confounded.
For the faithful departed
Visit to a Cemetery. Only applicable to the souls in Purgatory when one devoutly visits and prays for the departed. A PLENARY INDULGENCE is bestowed for this work each day between November 1 and November 8.
Visit to a Church or Oratory on All Souls Day.
PLENARY INDULGENCE.
A plenary indulgence, applicable ONLY to the souls in purgatory, may be obtained by those who, on All Souls Day, piously visit a church, public oratory, or -for those entitled to use it, a semi public oratory. It may be acquired either on the day designated as All Souls Day or, with the consent of the bishop, on the preceding or following Sunday or the feast of All Saints. On visiting the church or oratory it is required that one Our Father and the Creed be recited.
Visit to the sacred places
Plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful Christian who visits, and prayerfully prays there the Our Father and the Creed:
one of the four patriarchal basilicas of Rome (St. John Lateran, St. Peter, St. Mary the Greatest, St. Paul extra-walls), be part of a collective pilgrimage, be at least expressing during the visit the affection of subsidiary obedience to the Roman Pontiff;
a minor basilica:
a) in the solemnity of the apostles Peter and Paul,
b) in the solemnity of the holder,
c) on August 2, when the indulgence of the “Portiuncula” coincides,
d) once a year, on the day chosen by the faithful Christian;
in the cathedral church:
a) in the solemnity of the apostles Peter and Paul, on June 29.
b) in the solemnity of the holder, (of said cathedral).
c) in the liturgical celebration of the Chair of St. Peter, apostle, on February 22.
d) at the dedication of the archbasilica of the Holy Savior, (which is that of St. John Lateran, Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, on November 9).
e) on August 2, when the indulgence of the “Portiuncula” coincides;
a sanctuary constituted by the competent authority, whether international, national or diocesan,
a) in the solemnity of the holder,
b) once a year, on the day chosen by the faithful Christian,
c) every time you participate in a collective pilgrimage that takes place in the sanctuary;
the parish church:
a) in the solemnity of the holder,
b) on August 2, when the indulgence of the “Portiuncula” coincides;
a church or an altar on the same day of dedication;
a church or oratory of a religious Institute or of a Society of apostolic life, on the day of its holy founder.
Feast of Mercy
Plenary Indulgence
To ensure that the faithful would observe this day with intense devotion, the Supreme Pontiff himself established that this Sunday be enriched by a plenary indulgence, as will be explained below, so that the faithful might receive in great abundance the gift of the consolation of the Holy Spirit. In this way, they can foster a growing love for God and for their neighbour, and after they have obtained God’s pardon, they in turn might be persuaded to show a prompt pardon to their brothers and sisters.
Pardon of others who sin against us
Thus the faithful will more closely conform to the spirit of the Gospel, receiving in their hearts the renewal that the Second Vatican Council explained and introduced: “Mindful of the words of the Lord: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13,35), Christians can yearn for nothing more ardently than to serve the men of this age with an ever growing generosity and success…. It is the Father’s will that we should recognize Christ our brother in the persons of all men and love them with an effective love, in word and in deed (Pastoral Constitution, Gaudium et spes, n. 93).
Three conditions for the plenary indulgence
And so the Supreme Pontiff, motivated by an ardent desire to foster in Christians this devotion to Divine Mercy as much as possible in the hope of offering great spiritual fruit to the faithful, in the Audience granted on 13 June 2002, to those Responsible for the Apostolic Penitentiary, granted the following Indulgences:
a plenary indulgence, granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honour of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!”);
A partial indulgence, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation.
For those who cannot go to church or the seriously ill
In addition, sailors working on the vast expanse of the sea; the countless brothers and sisters, whom the disasters of war, political events, local violence and other such causes have been driven out of their homeland; the sick and those who nurse them, and all who for a just cause cannot leave their homes or who carry out an activity for the community which cannot be postponed, may obtain a plenary indulgence on Divine Mercy Sunday, if totally detesting any sin, as has been said before, and with the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions, will recite the Our Father and the Creed before a devout image of Our Merciful Lord Jesus and, in addition, pray a devout invocation to the Merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you).
If it is impossible that people do even this, on the same day they may obtain the Plenary Indulgence if with a spiritual intention they are united with those carrying out the prescribed practice for obtaining the Indulgence in the usual way and offer to the Merciful Lord a prayer and the sufferings of their illness and the difficulties of their lives, with the resolution to accomplish as soon as possible the three conditions prescribed to obtain the plenary indulgence.
Duty of priests: inform parishioners, hear confessions, lead prayers
Priests who exercise pastoral ministry, especially parish priests, should inform the faithful in the most suitable way of the Church’s salutary provision. They should promptly and generously be willing to hear their confessions. On Divine Mercy Sunday, after celebrating Mass or Vespers, or during devotions in honour of Divine Mercy, with the dignity that is in accord with the rite, they should lead the recitation of the prayers that have been given above. Finally, since “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Mt 5,7), when they instruct their people, priests should gently encourage the faithful to practise works of charity or mercy as often as they can, following the example of, and in obeying the commandment of Jesus Christ, as is listed for the second general concession of indulgence in the “Enchiridion Indulgentiarum”.
In danger of imminent death
The Moment of Death (In articulo mortis). PLENARY INDULGENCE. EXCEPTION TO THE THREE CONSTANTS. (Verbatim recitation of the grant follows:) “To the faithful in danger of death, who cannot be assisted by a priest to bring them the sacraments and impart the Apostolic Blessing with its plenary indulgence (see can. 468, Sec.2 of Code of Canon Law), Holy Mother Church nevertheless grants a plenary indulgence to be acquired at the point of death, provided they are properly disposed and have been in the habit of reciting some prayers during their lifetime. The use of a crucifix or a cross to gain this indulgence is praiseworthy.” The condition: ‘provided they have been in the habit of reciting some prayers during their lifetime’ supplies in such cases for the three usual conditions required for the gaining of a plenary indulgence.” The plenary indulgence at the point of death can be acquired by the faithful, even if they have already obtained another plenary indulgence on the same day.”
Partial Indulgences
Partial indulgences remove part of the guilt or pending debt of a soul from purgatory or if it applies to one. It should be remembered that to win the partial indulgence, the execution of the work enriched with the indulgence is required, to have the intention of winning it, and at least to repent internally.
There is no limit to earn them on the day.
Partial indulgence adds the remission of the same amount of penalty that the same work earns for the fact of doing it. That is to say that with indulgence one obtains double the remission for the same act as if he did without it.
Download the application Releasing Souls from Purgatory that will help you along with other prayers advising you of the moments and days to earn them.