As the previous poster said, we cannot receive an indulgence if we have unconfessed mortal sin.
An important thing to understand is that we may still have some temporal (temporary) punishment due for sins even after we have confessed them and received absolution. (A classic analogy: A child breaks a neighbor’s window playing ball. He apologizes; the neighbor readily forgives him. But the child still has to work to help replace the broken window.)
This temporal punishment can be accomplished on earth (by works of charity, acts of penance, prayer, etc.) or in Purgatory.
The Church has a treasury of graces obtained by Christ’s act of redemption. The Church is free to dispense these graces as she pleases, thus her freedom to grant indulgences.
There are two kinds of indulgences: partial and plenary. A partial indulgence, as the name implies, remits part of the punishment due to sin. A plenary (full) indulgence remits all of it.
There are lots of ways to obtain indulgences: certain prayers, like the Rosary; making a holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament; making a retreat; visiting certain holy places; and many more. They are summarized in a book called the
Enchiridion on Indulgences. An old version is available online at
ourladyswarriors.org/ ; click on the word “Indulgences” in the column at the left hand side of the screen. I understand that a newer version has been published, but I have not seen it online yet.
For a plenary indulgence, there are certain “usual conditions” which must be fulfilled along with the indulgenced act. These are:
- Sacramental confession within a short time of when the indulgenced act is performed (I have heard different lengths of time for this, most commonly understood to be within a week before or after).
- Reception of Holy Communion (best done on the same day, but I think it can be done shortly before or after).
- Prayer for the Pope (most people pray an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, but you can pray for the Pope with other prayers of your choosing).
- Detachment from all sin, even venial sin.
These requirements help us understand that an indulgence is not “magic”; it is intended to help us achieve a true conversion of heart, assisted by worthy reception of the sacraments.
When you obtain an indulgence, you can apply it to yourself or to a soul in Purgatory. One exception is the practice of visiting a cemetery and praying for the dead the week beginning with All Souls’ Day; this must be applied to the souls in Purgatory. (I suppose that applying an indulgence to the souls in Purgatory is like giving that child some money to help pay for the broken window!) Obtaining indulgences is a good way to carry out our duty to pray for the dead.
There may be numerous little things you do on a daily basis that obtain indulgences, if you have that intention. I think it is a good idea each morning, with your morning prayer, to say something like: “I offer all the indulgences obtained today for the relief of the souls in Purgatory,” and to include prayers for the Pope in your daily prayers, and to go to Confession every couple of weeks. That way you can take the greatest possible advantage of this treasury of graces.
