Baptism, first communion, and indulgences

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sw85

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Hello all,

I read recently that First Communion is enriched with a plenary indulgence.

As an adult entrant to the faith I will soon be receiving First Communion along with baptism and confirmation (on Easter Vigil). My concern, though, is that one of the conditions of receiving a plenary indulgence is making use of sacramental confession (see the Enchiridion of Indulgences, “Norms on Indulgences,” paras. 26 and 28). The Enchiridion doesn’t seem to make an exception here, and it seems that simply being in a state of grace (which can also be accomplished by baptism) therefore does not suffice.

Is it safe to assume, then, that the plenary indulgence attached to First Communion accrues only to cradle Catholics, who can do confession before receiving First Communion, and that adult entrants to the Church (like myself) are ineligible to receive that indulgence?
 
sw85 said:
Is it safe to assume, then, that the plenary indulgence attached to First Communion accrues only to cradle Catholics, who can do confession before receiving First Communion, and that adult entrants to the Church (like myself) are ineligible to receive that indulgence?
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See, and I read it more of a “lucky you” you don’t have to go to Confession to be in a state of grace when you receive your First Communion. Unless of course you commit a mortal sin between the two sacraments. :confused:

Maybe someone better versed in Indulgences could help out.
 
Baptism remits all sins (both original sin and personal sin) and their temporal punishments. Therefore, there is nothing to be gained by a plenary indulgence for yourself at first communion, when it is in the same ceremony as baptism and confirmation. (And you can’t put a plenary indulgence in the bank for use at a future time!)

You could ask for a plenary indulgence on behalf of a deceased person. In that case, you would have to go to confession (as you mentioned). Normally, for a plenary indulgence, the confession can be within 8 days before or after the indulgenced act. This document, which I’ve only glanced at, indicates that 20 days might be allowed.
 
My advice, don’t worry about the indulgence at your First Holy Communion. Enjoy it for what it is. Live in the moment and love the Blessed Sacrament.

I used to be wrapped up in trying to get a plenary indulgence. I thought getting an indulgence was hard. For example, In the year of Peter and Paul, I looked for churches that gave the indulgence for a visit.

Then I read up on plenary indulgences. They’re remarkably common. For example, participating in adoration on Holy Thursday (recite Tatum Ergo). You can do the same on Corpus Christi. That’s twice a year where you can get a plenary indulgence. In a way I guess my search for indulgences work, but not how I intended. It turns out that in many cases, I just have to be a good Catholic.

Again, enjoy your First Holy Communion. It’s an extraordinary gift.
 
sw85 said:
Hello all,

I read recently that First Communion is enriched with a plenary indulgence.

As an adult entrant to the faith I will soon be receiving First Communion along with baptism and confirmation (on Easter Vigil). My concern, though, is that one of the conditions of receiving a plenary indulgence is making use of sacramental confession (see the Enchiridion of Indulgences, “Norms on Indulgences,” paras. 26 and 28). The Enchiridion doesn’t seem to make an exception here, and it seems that simply being in a state of grace (which can also be accomplished by baptism) therefore does not suffice.

Is it safe to assume, then, that the plenary indulgence attached to First Communion accrues only to cradle Catholics, who can do confession before receiving First Communion, and that adult entrants to the Church (like myself) are ineligible to receive that indulgence?
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**
Grant 8, Eucharistic And Spiritual Communion**
(Manual of Indulgences, p. 50): A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who 1. receive Holy Communion for the first time or devoutly assist at the first Holy Communion of others; 2. on any of the Fridays of Lent devoutly recite after Communion the prayer En ego, O bone et dulcisime Iesu before a crucifix.

PRAYER BEFORE A CRUCIFIX

Behold, 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, true repentance 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 most Precious Wounds; having before my eyes that which David spoke in prophecy of Thee, O good Jesus: They have pierced my hands and feet; they have numbered all my bones.

A plenary indulgence may be gained by those who have received the Sacraments and who say one Pater, Ave and Gloria for the Pope, and the other usual requirements.
  • Sacramental confession [about 20 days before or after the indulgenced act]. A single sacramental confession suffices for gaining several plenary indulgences; but Communion must be received and prayer for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff must be recited for the gaining of each plenary indulgence.
  • Eucharistic Communion.
  • Prayer for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff. The condition of praying for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff is fully satisfied by reciting one Our Father and one Hail Mary; nevertheless, each one is free to recite any other prayer according to his piety and devotion.
  • It is further required that all attachment to sin, even venial sin, be absent. If the latter disposition is in any way less than perfect or if the prescribed three conditions are not fulfilled, the indulgence will be partial only, saving the provisions given in certain norms.
  • The prayer must be vocal prayer (exceptions for deaf and mute).
 
Edmundus1581 said:
You could ask for a plenary indulgence on behalf of a deceased person. In that case, you would have to go to confession (as you mentioned). Normally, for a plenary indulgence, the confession can be within 8 days before or after the indulgenced act. This document, which I’ve only glanced at, indicates that 20 days might be allowed.
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That’s about 90% of the reason I was asking. 😉 The other 10% is general curiosity.
 
sw85 said:
…
Is it safe to assume, then, that the plenary indulgence attached to First Communion accrues only to cradle Catholics, who can do confession before receiving First Communion, and that adult entrants to the Church (like myself) are ineligible to receive that indulgence?
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It is interesting that one can obtain a plenary, for oneself or for the deceased, but only in conjunction with sacramental Confession. The Confession does not have to be for serious (mortal) sins, but can be for venial sins, and the indulgence is granted at the moment of the fulfillment of all the necessary conditions, one of which is being in a state of grace, and one of the other is the sacramental Confession which could be twenty days later. Since we are not perfect, it is possible that a venial sin could occur within 20 days of Baptism and First Communion.

One can obtain plenary indulgences even if perpetually in a state of grace, through Confession of venial sins with perfect contrition. Failing that, it is a partial indulgence. The purpose of the indulgence is remediation the temporal punishments for sins already forgiven.

Baltimore Catechism NO. 4 has (153): …

In the Sacrament of Penance the sinner is saved from the eternal punishment-that is, Hell-and from part of the temporal punishment. But although the sins have been forgiven, the sinner must make satisfaction to God for the insult offered by his sins.
Therefore, he must suffer punishment in this world or in Purgatory. We call this punishment temporal, because it will not last forever. You can make this satisfaction to God while on earth, and thus avoid much of the temporal punishment by prayers, fasting, gaining indulgences, alms, and good works; and even by bearing your sufferings, trials, and afflictions patiently, and offering them up to God in satisfaction for your sins.

In Baptism both the eternal and temporal debt are washed away; so that if a person just baptized died immediately, he would go directly to Heaven, not to Purgatory: because persons go to Purgatory to pay off the temporal debt. Neither could that person gain an indulgence, because indulgences are only to help us to pay the temporal debt. Neither could that person receive the Sacrament of Penance, because Penance remits only sin committed after Baptism, and that person had no sins to remit, because he died just after receiving Baptism. See, then, the goodness of Our Lord in instituting Baptism, to forgive everything and leave us as free from guilt as our first parents were when God created them.
 
I’ve always wondered, does one have to delberately intend to get an indulgence when doing whatever is required, or do they come automatically, so to speak?
 
paperwight66 said:
Ah. Where does it say that?
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I have wondered the same question. I eventually found it somewhere, and it is as sw85 said - the indulgence must be intentionally requested. I can’t remember where I found it though.
 
Two other considerations for you all: the indulgence need not be plenary, but can be partial. For partial it is not necessary to receive Holy Communion and Holy Confession and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father need not be offered, and complete detachment from all sin is not required. But it is required to be in a state of grace.

Plenary or partial indulgences can always be applied either to oneself or to the souls of the deceased, but they cannot be applied to other persons living on earth. So for those receiving First Communion can obtain a partial indulgence oneself. Partial indulgences are greater or lesser in proportion the amount of perfection and charity exercised.
 
paperwight66 said:
Ah. Where does it say that?
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See the Enchiridion of Indulgences, “Norms on Indulgences,” paragraph 22, section 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.
 
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