How exactly do you go about obtaining indulgences for the dead and for yourself at death?
Hi there,
Your question is really broad, but here is a good summary from
Catholic.org on the general way people get partial and plenary indulgences. I would suggest reading it and then if you have a more specific question ask again in the thread.
Basically, for partial indulgence, which removes some of the punishment for sin for you or another deceased person, you just have to
- have the intention of getting an indulgence - just tell God you want to get one, or make a Morning Offering each day expressing the intention of getting as many as you can that day; and
- do the work specified in the Enchiridion of Indulgences. Here is an older edition of the Enchiridion. I believe everything in it is still in force, but I note that the newer editions have added even more indulgences, including for Divine Mercy Sunday which I think was added after this edition came out;
https://www.basilica.ca/documents/2...nitentiary-The Enchiridion of Indulgences.pdf
- be in the state of grace.
For plenary indulgences, which if done correctly remove all of the punishment for sin committed by you or a deceased person, you have to choose a work that qualifies for the plenary indulgence and then, in addition to 1, 2, 3 above, you also need to
- receive Holy Communion within a few days before or after; you must receive 1 Holy Communion per plenary you want to get, so if you are trying to get 1 plenary for Monday and 1 plenary for Tuesday (since you can only get one plenary each day) you will need to receive 2 Holy Communions; and
- pray for the intentions of the Holy Father; note that you are praying for the INTENTIONS of the Holy Father and not the Holy Father himself. You need to say these prayers out loud and say 1 set of prayers for each plenary you want to get. It is recommended that you say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, and 1 Glory Be; and
- go to confession within a few days before or after; usually the time window is about 20 days before or 20 days after, and one confession can cover approximately 20 plenary indulgences.
The “Big 4” works that qualify for a plenary indulgence are
- saying a Rosary out loud in a church or in a family group;
- doing Stations of the Cross at “approved stations” (generally if they’re in a church, they’re approved)
- reading Scripture for at least 1/2 hour continuously;
- participating in Adoration for at least 1/2 hour continuously.
Partial indulgences are available for Rosary, Stations, Scripture reading, or Adoration that doesn’t meet the above conditions, and also for saying many other prayers, for donating to the basic corporal or spiritual needs of the poor, for spending time in mental prayer, for saying some “pious invocation” throughout your day, etc. Read the Enchiridion for more ways to get them. There’s a lot.
I hope this helps.
no it was more confusing. Doesn’t that have to do with penance after confession? I want to dedicate an indulgence to the dead.
