Plenary Indulgences

[briankarman]

Yesterday, I was reading up on plenary indulgences and I had some questions that I was hoping the very knowledgable and well-informed members of this forum could answer.

1. To gain the plenary indulgence for praying the rosary in church does the praying need to be in a group or can it be prayed alone?
2. The text of the 1968 revision states that one sacramental confession suffices for several plenary indulgences. Not to be legalistic here, but how should one define several?
3. And finally, to gain plenary indulgences you among other conditions must be free from attachment to even venial sin. Can someone explain that for me.

God bless and many thanks in advance to the responses.

 

[Genesis315]

1) To gain the plenary indulgence for praying the rosary in church does the praying need to be in a group or can it be prayed alone?

Group.

1. The text of the 1968 revision states that one sacramental confession suffices for several plenary indulgences. Not to be legalistic here, but how should one define several?

I think you have to meet all the conditions within 8 days and since you can only get one plenary per day, I assume several would mean 8 here.

1. And finally, to gain plenary indulgences you among other conditions must be free from attachment to even venial sin. Can someone explain that for me.

Ok, this is the hardest condition. It doesn’t mean that you have no sins at all on your conscience, but it does mean that you have to be truly resolved not to commit any sins (you’re not “attached” to any sins). Now, this sounds easy–we all would say we don’t want to sin–but in reality, it is really, really hard.

Hope that helps.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Genesis315:

. . .

I think you have to meet all the conditions within 8 days and since you can only get one plenary per day, I assume several would mean 8 here.

. . …

A minor nit pick. The confession could be either before or after the other conditions are met; so would cover 16 days in all.

 

[Genesis315]

Joe Kelley:

A minor nit pick. The confession could be either before or after the other conditions are met; so would cover 16 days in all.

Ooo good point. On a side note, anyone know if where I can find info online about indulgences from before 1968?

 

[briankarman]

Genesis,

You said the rosary must be said in a group at church, but the text of the 1968 revision doesn’t specify that. Where are you getting your info? Thanks again.

 

[Genesis315]

briankarman:

Genesis,

You said the rosary must be said in a group at church, but the text of the 1968 revision doesn’t specify that. Where are you getting your info? Thanks again.

You know, I looked at it again and this is what made me think it had to be a group:
**

48. Recitation of the Marian Rosary (Rosarii marialis recitatio)

A plenary indulgence is granted, if the Rosary is recited in a church or public oratory or in a family group, a religious Community or pious Association; a partial indulgence is granted in other circumstances.

But then, this followed:

The gaining of the plenary indulgence is regulated by the following norms: 1) The recitation of a third part only of the Rosary suffices; but the five decades must be recited continuously. 2) The vocal recitation must be accompanied by pious meditation on the mysteries. 3) In public recitation the mysteries must be announced in the manner customary in the place; for private recitation, however, it suffices if the vocal recitation is accompanied by meditation on the mysteries.

So it looks like private will get it too:thumbsup: **

 

[briankarman]

Thanks Genesis315,

That’s the way I read it, too. But just for further backing I’m going to consult a canon lawyer. I want to be as sure as I can that I’m reading the instructions properly. You’ve been helpful. May God continue to bless you richly.

 

[briankarman]

Hi all,

Does any one know if you can apply a single plenary indulgence to all of purgatory when you pray for the dead or must it be directed to a single person. I know there is no limit on the mercy of God and He can do anything, but does He will this or not. What does the Church teach? Please cite your sources. Thanks, God bless, and take care.

Brian

 

[Krasnaya_Kometa]

Forgive me for being a noob, but what exactly is a Plenary Induljence?

 

[nianka]

Krasnaya Kometa:

Forgive me for being a noob, but what exactly is a Plenary Induljence?

The full remission of all temporal punishment (time spent in purgatory) due to sin in one’s entire lifetime up to that point.
nianka

 

[sweetchuck]

Just so that there be no mistake, I think it bears mentioning that even with a plenary indulgence, ALL MORTAL SINS MUST BE CONFESSED! Indulgences are not to take the place of confession. Indulgences partially or fully remove temporal punishment (purgatory) due to sin, but you still need absolution from a priest to remove eternal punishment (spiritual death by mortal sin).

 

[Ignatius]

sweetchuck:

Just so that there be no mistake, I think it bears mentioning that even with a plenary indulgence, ALL MORTAL SINS MUST BE CONFESSED! Indulgences are not to take the place of confession. Indulgences partially or fully remove temporal punishment (purgatory) due to sin, but you still need absolution from a priest to remove eternal punishment (spiritual death by mortal sin).

As mentioned about, one of the requirements for a plenary indulgence is Sacramental Confession.

God Bless.

 

[DailyBread]

I just wanted to say that you may only recieve one plenary indulgence for yourself daily unless it is within an hour of your death, but can say obtain them for others (only dead, not living) on that same day. Also, One must be in the state of grace when preforming the act. Also, you must be free from any attachment to sin, go to confession within 8 days before or after, recieve communion, and pray for the pope’s intentions.

On the subject of how it frees others in hell, God decides how the grace is dispensed. One great prayer to note is St Gertrude the great given to her by jesus who told her 1000 souls would be released from purgatory every time it is faithfully recited:
"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, those in my own home, and within my family. Amen."