Another question about indulgences

[Spyridon]

Under the general grants in the Enchiridion of Indulgences it says things like “a partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who raise their mind to God in pious invocation.”

Does this mean that any Catholic will gain an indulgence even if they are not specifically asking for an indulgence if they do the indulgenced act?

In other words, if you are in a state of grace, and you do or say an indulgenced prayer, you would still obtain the indulgence, correct?

I think it does, but I’m wondering about this and want to be sure.

 

[Arkansan]

I don’t have the source on hand, but I’m pretty sure that the general requirement for gaining indulgences is a habitual intention, rather than an actual or virtual intention. So if a person intends to receive the indulgences available to that person, and never revokes that intention, then they can receive them, even if not consciously thinking about them.

 

[Spyridon]

So if a person intends to receive the indulgences available to that person, and never revokes that intention, then they can receive them, even if not consciously thinking about them.

That sounds to me like what the case is likely to be.

I can’t find it spelled out in the Enchiridion though.

 

[Arkansan]

The Catholic Encyclopedia says that a habitual intention is what is required:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07783a.htm

Dispositions necessary to gain an indulgence:

“It is also necessary to have the intention, at least habitual, of gaining the indulgence.”

 

[Spyridon]

#22 S2 of the Norms in the Enchiridion says:

"2. In order that one who is capable may actually gain indulgences, one must have at least a
general intention to gain them and must in accordance with the tenor of the grant perform the
enjoined works at the time and in the manner prescribed. "

So that answers my question: so long as you have the general intention of gaining indulgences, meet the prerequisite requirements and do the indulgenced act, it is granted to you even if you’re not specifically aware of a prayer you are saying is indulgenced.

Thanks for the help @Arkansan.

The Church truly is gracious and God is good! It’s like they want us to be saved!