Reading Scripture and Indulgence

[decjlc]

I know the difference between plenary and partial indulgences and their requirements, but I’m confused about how long/how many days one must perform the act to obtain the indulgence.

For example, my Bible says this:
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who with the veneration due the divine word make a spiritual reading from Sacred Scripture.
A plenary indulgence is granted, if this reading is continued for at least one half an hour.

Does that mean that (theoretically), one may obtain this indulgence (partial or plenary) once per day if all requirements are met? Or must you read Scripture for X number of days to gain the indulgence?

Just curious. Thank you.

 

[Jon_S_1]

I know the difference between plenary and partial indulgences and their requirements, but I’m confused about how long/how many days one must perform the act to obtain the indulgence.

For example, my Bible says this:
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who with the veneration due the divine word make a spiritual reading from Sacred Scripture.
A plenary indulgence is granted, if this reading is continued for at least one half an hour.

Does that mean that (theoretically), one may obtain this indulgence (partial or plenary) once per day if all requirements are met? Or must you read Scripture for X number of days to gain the indulgence?

Just curious. Thank you.

I think it would help to not be so calculating about indulgence. Treating indulgences like recipe books can put your heart in the wrong place.

Look at it this way.

The church is saying. “Reading the Bible is efficacious and adds to your sanctification”

So the goal is to get in the word. Read the bible. Whether you read one verse or a whole book, healing will be brought to your soul.

Indulgences are a guide to practices that manifest Gods grace. That should be the goal.

When we instead nitpick the details it can easily wash away any grace in the activity.

 

[Sirach2]

A plenary indulgence is granted, if this reading is continued for at least one half an hour.

Does that mean that (theoretically), one may obtain this indulgence (partial or plenary) once per day if all requirements are met? Or must you read Scripture for X number of days to gain the indulgence?

Yes, you are able to receive a plenary indulgence every day, which is a wonderful privilege when you think about it! I often ask that the benefits of my plenary be applied to the Poor Souls in Purgatory, but we don’t know if they will receive a full plenary (in other words, a full remission of all their punishment). Nevertheless, God, in His Mercy will use our gift and apply it according to His will.

The grant is dependent upon reading the scriptures for a half hour, uninterrupted. That means, we can’t read for ten minutes, go about our business, and come back later to fulfill the other 20 minutes. Naturally, we must have received holy communion that day (not necessary to make a new confession) and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father (1 Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be suffices)

 

[decjlc]

I think it would help to not be so calculating about indulgence. Treating indulgences like recipe books can put your heart in the wrong place.

Look at it this way.

The church is saying. “Reading the Bible is efficacious and adds to your sanctification”

So the goal is to get in the word. Read the bible. Whether you read one verse or a whole book, healing will be brought to your soul.

Indulgences are a guide to practices that manifest Gods grace. That should be the goal.

When we instead nitpick the details it can easily wash away any grace in the activity.

I wasn’t being calculating about getting indulgences. I saw it in my Bible and wondered how it actually worked, and since indulgences can be applied to the souls in purgatory, I hardly think that’s calculating if one wants to do it. Perhaps you shouldn’t be so quick to judge someone’s intentions.

 

[decjlc]

Yes, you are able to receive a plenary indulgence every day, which is a wonderful privilege when you think about it! I often ask that the benefits of my plenary be applied to the Poor Souls in Purgatory, but we don’t know if they will receive a full plenary (in other words, a full remission of all their punishment). Nevertheless, God, in His Mercy will use our gift and apply it according to His will.

The grant is dependent upon reading the scriptures for a half hour, uninterrupted. That means, we can’t read for ten minutes, go about our business, and come back later to fulfill the other 20 minutes. Naturally, we must have received holy communion that day (not necessary to make a new confession) and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father (1 Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be suffices)

Thank you very much. That was especially helpful. I couldn’t get the indulgence every day if I wanted to, anyway, because we only have weekly Mass (and communion) on Sundays (small rural parish), but it’s nice to know.

 

[Neofight]

Everyday is harder than it sounds. After the 30 minute reading, you also must pray fir the pope, receive the sacrament of reconciliation, and the Eucharist…that’s a lot to do every day as a member of the laity.

 

[decjlc]

Everyday is harder than it sounds. After the 30 minute reading, you also must pray fir the pope, receive the sacrament of reconciliation, and the Eucharist…that’s a lot to do every day as a member of the laity.

Oh, I understand. Like I said, my parish doesn’t even offer Communion every day, so I’d never be able to get an indulgence daily even if I tried. I was just particularly curious since I’m beginning a Bible reading plan with some others starting tomorrow to read the entire Bible.

Thank you!

 

[Sirach2]

Everyday is harder than it sounds. After the 30 minute reading, you also must pray fir the pope, receive the sacrament of reconciliation, and the Eucharist…that’s a lot to do** every day** as a member of the laity.

That is not correct, Neofight.
The only requirement with regard to confession states that a person may go either 20 days before an indulgenced act is performed, or up to 20 days after, making the entire period without a new confession about 40 days.

There is no requirement to go to confession daily in order to receive the plenary indulgence, whereas holy communion “daily” is needed for each indulgenced act, which may be received only once per day. IOW, if there is a plenary for reading scripture, and you also make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament for a half hour, which also gains a plenary, only one “plenary” indulgence is received, even though both acts are performed in the same day. The *second *act will gain a “partial indulgence.”

 

[Neofight]

That is not correct, Neofight.
The only requirement with regard to confession states that a person may go either 20 days before an indulgenced act is performed, or up to 20 days after, making the entire period without a new confession about 40 days.

There is no requirement to go to confession daily in order to receive the plenary indulgence, whereas holy communion “daily” is needed for each indulgenced act, which may be received only once per day. IOW, if there is a plenary for reading scripture, and you also make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament for a half hour, which also gains a plenary, only one “plenary” indulgence is received, even though both acts are performed in the same day. The *second *act will gain a “partial indulgence.”

I stand corrected. Could you provide your reference on the 20 day rule. Closest I have heard is “soon”. In fact, the Church’s reference for your entire claim would be welcomed so I don’t mislead others.

Peace and all Good!

 

[Sirach2]

I stand corrected. Could you provide your reference on the 20 day rule. Closest I have heard is “soon”. In fact, the Church’s reference for your entire claim would be welcomed so I don’t mislead others.

Peace and all Good!

You may want to bookmark this for future reference.

APOSTOLIC PENITENTIARY
Prot. N. 39/05/I

APOSTOLIC PENITENTIARY to a doubt proposed on 16 February 2005, by the beloved in Christ Fr. (sic.) Colin B. Donovan, STL: <<regarding the force of the norm in “Gift of the Indulgence” which provided that sacramental Confession could be made “about 20 days” before or after the indulgenced work. Did this norm apply only to the Indulgences granted during the Great Jubilee or does it apply in perpetuity, so that even today a plenary indulgence may be gained based on a confession made within “about 20 days before or after the indulgenced work” >>, it is responded: Negative as far as the first part, Affirmative as far as the second (for this was not written under “Specific Aspects of the Jubilee Year”, but in “General remarks on indulgences”).
Given in Rome, from the offices of the Apostolic Penitentiary, 18 February 2005.

 

[decjlc]

Thanks for the clarification regarding Reconciliation.