I went to confession on Saturday for divine mercy Sunday but I didn’t get a chance to say the divine mercy novena…I am curious what Jesus said about confession and receiving Holy Communion and complete forgiveness of sins still count when I didn’t say the novena?? If I said the whole novena on divine mercy sunday would it still count?
The Plenary Indulgence is governed by the Church. For Divine Mercy, it is this:
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.
All the decree requires is the devotional participation in the Divine Mercy prayers on the Sunday itself or the Eucharistic Adoration with the prescribed prayers. And of course, the usual conditions: confession, communion, prayers for the Pope’s intention, detachment from sin.
And really, there is nothing particularly special about the plenary indulgence on Divine Mercy Sunday. There is complete forgiveness of mortal sins with every good confession at any time, and one can always obtain a plenary indulgence any day of the year with a host of other indulgenced works (Way of the Cross, public recitation of the Rosary, at least half-hour adoration of the Blessed Sacrament). The Divine Mercy devotion and indulgence is just one more way the Church has opened up the treasury of merit for the faithful.
