Questions regarding indulgences

[Xandria]

Hi everyone!

I have just become Catholic yesterday and now have some questions regarding indulgences.

1. If I apply a plenary indulgence to a specific soul in purgatory (for example my grandmother) would this mean that this soul is going straight to heaven?
2. I know that four conditions have to be fulfilled in order to gain a plenary indulgence (confession, holy communion, a prayer for the pope’s intention, and being free from all attachment to sin). How long before I have to confess again to receive another plenary indulgence?
3. If I only fulfill one of the four requirements, do I already get a partial indulgence?
4. Might be kind of a stupid question, but am I right in assuming that with the prayer for the pope’s intention the monthy prayer intentions are meant?

Thanks a lot!

 

[John_Lilburne]

Hi everyone!

I have just become Catholic yesterday and now have some questions regarding indulgences.

1. If I apply a plenary indulgence to a specific soul in purgatory (for example my grandmother) would this mean that this soul is going straight to heaven?
2. I know that four conditions have to be fulfilled in order to gain a plenary indulgence (confession, holy communion, a prayer for the pope’s intention, and being free from all attachment to sin). How long before I have to confess again to receive another plenary indulgence?
3. If I only fulfill one of the four requirements, do I already get a partial indulgence?
4. Might be kind of a stupid question, but am I right in assuming that with the prayer for the pope’s intention the monthy prayer intentions are meant?

Thanks a lot!

I think you would find the 1967 Apostolic Constitution Indulgentiarum Doctrina helpful. It is at vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_19670101_indulgentiarum-doctrina_en.html .

From the Norms section:

1. Yes. But, from Norm n. 7: “If this disposition is in any way less than complete, or if the prescribed three conditions are not fulfilled, the indulgence will be only partial, except for the provisions contained in n.11 for those who are “impeded.””
2. From Norm n. 8 — “The three conditions may be fulfilled several days before or after the performance of the prescribed work; nevertheless it is fitting that Communion be received and the prayers for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff be said the same day the work is performed.”
   n. 9—A single sacramental confession suffices for gaining several plenary indulgences, but Communion must be received and prayers for the Supreme Pontiff’s intentions recited for the gaining of each plenary indulgence."
   Also from Norm n. 11: “… local Ordinaries can grant to the faithful over whom they exercise authority in accordance with the law, and who live in places where it is impossible or at least very difficult for them to receive the sacraments of confession and Communion, permission to acquire a plenary indulgence without confession and Communion provided they are sorry for their sins and have the intention of receiving these sacraments as soon as possible.”
3. Norm n. 10: “The condition of praying for the Supreme Pontiff’s intentions is fully satisfied by reciting one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary”; nevertheless the individual faithful are free to recite any other prayer according to their own piety and devotion toward the Supreme Pontiff.”

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Hi everyone!

I have just become Catholic yesterday and now have some questions regarding indulgences.

1. If I apply a plenary indulgence to a specific soul in purgatory (for example my grandmother) would this mean that this soul is going straight to heaven?

. . .!

I have read someplace * that the Church’s power only extends to the living. Therefore she can only specify the benefits of an indulgence for the living. It is beneficial to apply them to the souls in Purgatory, but the results are up to God. Knowing that He is Just, Merciful and Loving we can trust Him to make best use of our offerings.*

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. .

1. Might be kind of a stupid question, but am I right in assuming that with the prayer for the pope’s intention the monthy prayer intentions are meant?

Thanks a lot!

to the best of my knowledge praying for his intentions suffices, one does not need to know or specify the particular intention of this month.

Similarly, one must intend to receive or apply an indugence to do so. However, a general intention in the morning to receive or apply all the indulgences one qualifies for that day suffices. One does not need to know the details for a specific indulgence.

The Morning Offering for the Blue Army includes a request for all the indulgences etc for which one qualifies that day and hands them over to Mary to dispose of as she thinks best. I add the prayers for the Pope and leave the rest to her.

 

[Thoma25]

I have read someplace * that the Church’s power only extends to the living. Therefore she can only specify the benefits of an indulgence for the living. It is beneficial to apply them to the souls in Purgatory, but the results are up to God. Knowing that He is Just, Merciful and Loving we can trust Him to make best use of our offerings.*

I believe it is impossible to obtain an indulgence on behalf of another living member of the Church, because they are able to do the satisfactory works and gain merits themselves. The souls in purgatory, however, are unable to acquire any merit, and so rely upon the penances and indulgences of the living on their behalf.

Indulgences can most certainly be applied to the souls in purgatory by way of suffrage. For those obtaining indulgences themselves, they are applied by way of absolution.

I agree that the judgment is left to God. We have no knowledge of the state of souls after death, whether they are in heaven, hell, or purgatory. Further, we don’t know whether God accepts this offering of the indulgence by way of suffrage and appeal, either partially or fully. The most we can do is hope for his mercy, pray and do satisfactory works for their souls.

 

[ljubim]

Congrats!! :extrahappy:

Since the questions have really already been answered, I just want to let you know how awesome indulgences are!! They’ve been called the back door to heaven for a very good reason Technically you could get one plenary indulgence a day: if you go to daily Mass and weekly-ish confession, and do one of the anywhere indulgences: a rosary, the devout reading of scripture, adoration… I think that’s it Plus your perfect contrition (different from and ACT of contrition)

For me sometimes I feel guilty always getting indulgences for myself… for example last time I tried for a plenary indulgence I just put it in Mary’s hands whether or not it would be applied to my soul or not. There’s also a beautiful thing called the Heroic Act of Charity. Look it up!!

Also notable is that we get a seven years indulgence (I know, I know, that’s the old school way, but the way I’ve heard one priest say it is that we can ask God that it be applied this way if He wishes) for the sign of the cross with Holy Water, vs three without. Either way, the sign of the cross is beautiful! Also an indulgenced ejaculation (mini prayer) is the Holy Name, which we can say all the time and have an unknown number of grateful souls in Purgatory praying for us, if we choose to apply it to them.

And tomorrow, if you happen to have a medal or anything blessed by a bishop or the Holy Father, your ‘devout use’ of it will be a plenary indulgence, for the Feast of St.s Peter and Paul. Anything normally blessed will just be partial. Download the list on your phone if you can, in calendar order. It will really help you keep track!!

Apologies if this is off track… I just indulgences. It’s a very lovely application of what Peter binds being loosed in heaven.

 

[Xandria]

Thanks everyone! I believe I have right somewhere a while ago that one confession is “good” for about 2 weeks. After that, one has to confess again to gain another plenary indulgence. Correct?

Regarding Question 1, ok, so nevertheless keep on praying.

Congrats!! :extrahappy:

And tomorrow, if you happen to have a medal or anything blessed by a bishop or the Holy Father, your ‘devout use’ of it will be a plenary indulgence, for the Feast of St.s Peter and Paul. Anything normally blessed will just be partial. Download the list on your phone if you can, in calendar order. It will really help you keep track!!

Apologies if this is off track… I just indulgences. It’s a very lovely application of what Peter binds being loosed in heaven.

Thanks so much for letting me know. I was planning to go to Mass today anyway and I actually do have a rosary that was blessed by the Holy Father.
I found this information:

"The faithful, who devoutly use an article of devotion (crucifix or cross, rosary. scapular or medal) properly blessed by any priest, obtain a partial indulgence.
But if the article of devotion has been blessed by the Sovereign Pontiff or by any Bishop, the faithful, using it, can also gain a plenary indulgence on the feast of the Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, provided they also make a profession of faith according to any legitimate formula.

The above grant is taken from Norm 17 of the [1967] Apostolic Constitution The Doctrine of Indulgences. Also Norm 19 of the Enchiridion [1968]"

What does making a profesion of faith according to any legitimate formula mean? For example praying the creed?

Do I get this plenary indulgence today by praying the rosary blessed by the Holy Father alone at home? Or does it have to be in a church?

Also, everytime I use a blessed rosary by a priest I receive a partial indulgence. Also, if I’m doing it alone at home?

And for a partial indulgence, is there only the indulgenced action neccessary, not communion?

Thank you!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Thanks everyone! I believe I have right somewhere a while ago that one confession is “good” for about 2 weeks. After that, one has to confess again to gain another plenary indulgence. Correct? . . .

That is what I have read. I think it may have been for those who attend daily mass - at least four times a week. Don’t remember the source, but it seemed good. I think it can be two weeks before or after the action for the indulgence; so once a month will about work.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. . .
What does making a profession of faith according to any legitimate formula mean? For example praying the creed?
. . .

It would probably be the Apostles Creed or the Nicene Creed, though any other approved creed would do. I think are repetition of the Baptismal promises would also qualify. But the two common creeds keep it simple.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I believe it is impossible to obtain an indulgence on behalf of another living member of the Church, because they are able to do the satisfactory works and gain merits themselves. The souls in purgatory, however, are unable to acquire any merit, and so rely upon the penances and indulgences of the living on their behalf. … .

I agree. Thanks for adding that.