Question on indulgences

[Lost_one]

Hi,

I have a few questions on indulgences:

The Enchiridion states the following to obtain an indulgence attached to a prayer:

“To gain an indulgence attached to a prayer, it is sufficient to recite the prayer alternately with a companion or to follow it mentally while it is being recited by another.”

Does this mean that if I am alone or no one wants to say a prayer with me I cannot gain the indulgence? What about the indulgence attached to the sign of the cross? Is it considered a prayer? How can one recite it alternately?

Another question is regarding old prayers I found behind cards with saints on them (eg. in memory of a 1st Communion) these are very old (some over 100 years old). Beneath some prayers it is stated that there is an attached indulgence (since they are so old it even states the days remitted, and sometimes they are plenary if i remember correctly) is the indulgence still valid and can it be gained if said alternately with someone else or have they fallen out of use and are no longer valid?

Thank you for your answers,
Fred

 

[bnbkaine]

When it says that it is sufficient, it means that these are the other ways you can gain it. Most of the time we pray whatever prayer to get the indulgence by ourselves; however, it is sufficient to pray alternately with someone or follow along mentally while someone is reciting it.

If a prayer has an indulgence attached to it, even the old ones that have actual days, then they are still valid. The only difference is that the days are now just considered a partial indulgence and a plenary is still a plenary. There aren’t days given to indulgences now.

Hope this helps!

 

[Lost_one]

Thank you for your clarification!

Fred!