Plenary indulgence if you forget now but remember later?

[Alma]

Suppose I go to Confession, to Mass, receive the Eucharist , spend an hour praying before the Blessed Sacrament and go home.

Then many hours later I realize I forgot to pray for the intentions of the Pope in order to gain the Plenary Indulgence that the Church offers to those who pray before the Blessed Sacrament for half an hour or more. uch:

Should I have asked for it while still in Church? Or is it possible to obtain even hours later at home? And if so, is there a time limit?

Sorry to ask what may be a dumb question, but someone asked me and I just want to make sure I give the right answer.

Thanks in advance!

:tiphat:
Alma

 

[Edmundus1581]

Hi,

According to the Enchiridion of Indulgences it is “fitting” for the prayers for the intentions of the Pope be said and Holy Communion to be received on the same day as the indulgenced work (your visit to the Blessed Sacrament).

So, then the prayer does not have to be at the same time as the visit or communion. It **should **be the same day, but even that is not strictly required.

1. To acquire a plenary indulgence it is necessary to perform the work to which the indulgence is attached and to **fulfill the following three conditions: sacramental confession, eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff. **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 below in Norm
   34 and in Norm 35 concerning those who are “impeded.”

1. The three conditions may be fulfilled several days before or after the performance of the prescribed work; it is, however, fitting that Communion be received and the prayer for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff be said on the same day the work is performed.

:tiphat:
Edmundus

 

[Vico]

Suppose I go to Confession, to Mass, receive the Eucharist , spend an hour praying before the Blessed Sacrament and go home.

Then many hours later I realize I forgot to pray for the intentions of the Pope in order to gain the Plenary Indulgence that the Church offers to those who pray before the Blessed Sacrament for half an hour or more. uch:

Should I have asked for it while still in Church? Or is it possible to obtain even hours later at home? And if so, is there a time limit?

Sorry to ask what may be a dumb question, but someone asked me and I just want to make sure I give the right answer.

Thanks in advance!

:tiphat:
Alma

In addition to the excellent answer by Edmundus1581, I have information on the timing of the sacramental confession. The Vatican has answered a dubium regarding the length of time that a sacramental confession can be applied to a plenary indulgence. The answer is about 20 days before or after.

 

[sw85]

Suppose I go to Confession, to Mass, receive the Eucharist , spend an hour praying before the Blessed Sacrament and go home.

Then many hours later I realize I forgot to pray for the intentions of the Pope in order to gain the Plenary Indulgence that the Church offers to those who pray before the Blessed Sacrament for half an hour or more. uch:

Should I have asked for it while still in Church? Or is it possible to obtain even hours later at home? And if so, is there a time limit?

Sorry to ask what may be a dumb question, but someone asked me and I just want to make sure I give the right answer.

Thanks in advance!

:tiphat:
Alma

The indulgence accrues whenever all the conditions are satisfied, so if you pray for the intentions of the Holy Father last, then that’s when you get the indulgence. As has been pointed out the Enchiridion notes that the prayers for the Holy Father and communion must be received on the same day as the indulgenced work is completed.

 

[Vico]

The indulgence accrues whenever all the conditions are satisfied, so if you pray for the intentions of the Holy Father last, then that’s when you get the indulgence. As has been pointed out the Enchiridion notes that the prayers for the Holy Father and communion must be received on the same day as the indulgenced work is completed.

Rather than must, the word fitting is used. All three conditions may be completed 20 days before or after the indulgenced work. But one must have at least the general intention of obtaining the indulgence.

In the current fourth edition 1999 of the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum: Normae et Concessiones:

N17. 2 To gain an indulgence, one must have at lest the general intention of doing so and must carry out the enjoined works at the stated time and in due fashion, according to the sense of the grant.N20. 1 To gain a plenary indulgence, in addition to excluding all attachment to sin, even venial sin, it is necessary to perform the indulgenced work and fulfill the following three conditions: sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff.

N20. 3 The three conditions may be fulfilled several days before or after the performance of the prescribed work; it is however fitting that Communion be received and the prayer for the intention of the Holy Father be said on the same day the work is performed.

 

[CaptFun]

A Plenary Indulgence may be as close as your own home!

In the front of my New American Bible St. Joseph Edition - on the same page as the Nihil Obstats and Imprimaturs - is a boxed and highlighted Prayer to the Holy Spirit and an instruction via Vatican II that prayer should accompany the study of scripture.

An indulgence is granted for studying the scriptures with due reverence and a plenary indulgence if the “study” lasts one half hour.

I am paraphrasing this (sorry) but – it is nice to know that there is an available channel of grace for a plenary indulgence.

If you have this kind of Bible view it yourself!

 

[sw85]

Rather than must, the word fitting is used. All three conditions may be completed 20 days before or after the indulgenced work. But one must have at least the general intention of obtaining the indulgence.

In the current fourth edition 1999 of the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum: Normae et Concessiones:

N17. 2 To gain an indulgence, one must have at lest the general intention of doing so and must carry out the enjoined works at the stated time and in due fashion, according to the sense of the grant.N20. 1 To gain a plenary indulgence, in addition to excluding all attachment to sin, even venial sin, it is necessary to perform the indulgenced work and fulfill the following three conditions: sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff.

N20. 3 The three conditions may be fulfilled several days before or after the performance of the prescribed work; it is however fitting that Communion be received and the prayer for the intention of the Holy Father be said on the same day the work is performed.

This is true, thank you for the correction.

 

[Alma]

Thank you all! Your answers have been very helpful!

By the way, a Plenary Indulgence is granted today, Feast of the Divine Mercy, to those who fulfill the usual conditions, and also say a prayer to honor the Divine Mercy.

You are still on time!

God bless you!

Alma