What is an indulgence?
An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful of the Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.
An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin. The faithful can gain indulgences for themselves or apply them to the dead. – from CCC 1471
Plenary Indulgences for All Souls Week
Visiting a Cemetery: An indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally for the departed. Typically, the indulgence is plenary each day from November 1-8; on other days of the year, it is only a partial indulgence.
Visiting a Church on November 2: A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who on the day dedicated to the Commemoration of All The Faithful Departed [November 2 {as well as on the Sunday preceding or following, and on All Saints’ Day}] piously visit a church. In visiting the church, it is required that one Our Father and the Creed be recited.
Indulgence Requirements: To acquire a plenary indulgence, it is necessary also to fulfill the following three conditions: sacramental Confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayer for the intention of the Holy Father while being detached from sin. It is appropriate that the sacramental Confession and especially Holy Communion and the prayer for the Pope’s intentions take place on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act. One sacramental Confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions are required for each plenary indulgence.
The condition of praying for the intention of the Holy Father is fully satisfied by reciting one Our Father and one Hail Mary. Plenary indulgence can be acquired only once in the course of a day.
Prayers for the Poor Souls in Purgatory
Eternal Rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace, Amen.
Lord Jesus, lovingly welcome into Your presence my deceased family, relatives and friends who have completed their journey on this earth and have gone to their rest in the hope of rejoicing with You forever in heaven.
