On Partial and Plenary Indulgence - What we need to know and how to obtain it

Whenever we heard the term "plenary indulgence", we might wonder what is it and it's purpose. We do hear it a lot when a Holy Year was announced by the Pope or by a bishop, you might encounter the term on several prayer books and holy sites. I do think it is time to know what it is and what does it do in our salvation. 

An indulgence is defined as "the remission before God of the temporal punishment due for sins already forgiven as far as their guilt is concerned." The first thing to note is that forgiveness of a sin is separate from punishment for the sin. Through sacramental confession we obtain forgiveness, but we aren't let off the hook as far as punishment goes.

Indulgences are two kinds: partial and plenary. A partial indulgence removes part of the temporal punishment due for sins. A plenary indulgence removes all of it. This punishment may come either in this life, in the form of various sufferings, or in the next life, in purgatory. 

Plenary Indulgence is granted through the following conditions: 1.) Availing the Sacrament of Confession, 2.) Reception of Holy Communion and 3.) Praying for the intentions of the Holy Father, the Pope. 

To receive a partial indulgence, the faithful have to recite the prayer or do the act of charity assigned. The faithful have to be in the state of grace at least by the completion of the prescribed work.

The following pious acts are taken from the “Enchiridion of Indulgences” released by the Apostolic Penitentiary were plenary and partial indulgences were attached:

1. Visit to the Patriarchal Basilicas in Rome

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit one of the four Patriarchal Basilicas in Rome, and there recite one Our Father and the Creed.

• on the titular feast;
• on any holy-day of obligation; 
• once a year, on any other day of one's choice.

2. Papal Blessing

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously and devoutly receive, even by radio transmission, the Blessing of the Sovereign Pontiff, when imparted to Rome and the World.

3. Visit to 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. The indulgence is plenary each day from the 1st to the 8th of November; on other days of the year it is partial.

4. Visit to an early Christian Cemetery or 'catacomb'

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit one of the early Christian cemeteries or "'catacomb's."

5. Adoration of the Cross

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who in the solemn liturgical action of Good Friday devoutly assist at the adoration of the Cross and kiss it.

6. Christian Catholic Doctrine

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who take part in teaching or in learning Christian Catholic Doctrine. N.B.: One who in a spirit of faith and charity teaches Christian Catholic Doctrine can gain a partial indulgence This grant confirms the partial indulgence in favor of the teacher of Christian Catholic Doctrine and extends it to the learner.

7. Eucharistic Congress

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly participate in the customary solemn Eucharistic rite at the close of a Eucharistic Congress.

8. Spiritual Exercises (retreats)

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who spend at least three whole days in the spiritual exercises of a retreat.

9. The Moment of Death

To the faithful in danger of death, who cannot be assisted by a priest to bring them the sacraments and impart the Apostolic Blessing with its plenary indulgence. The Holy Mother Church nevertheless grants a plenary indulgence to be acquired at the point of death, provided they are properly disposed and have been in the habit of reciting some prayers during their lifetime. The use of a crucifix or a cross to gain this indulgence is praiseworthy.

The condition: provided they have been in the habit of reciting some prayers during their lifetime supplies in such cases for the three usual conditions required for the gaining of a plenary indulgence. The plenary indulgence at the point of death can be acquired by the faithful, even if they have already obtained another plenary indulgence on the same day.

10. Novena Devotions

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly take part in the pious exercises of a public novena before the feast of Christmas or Pentecost or the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

11. Use of Sacramentals

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 (April 29), provided they also make a profession of faith according to any legitimate formula. 

12. Assistance at Sacred Preaching

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who assist with devotion and attention at the sacred preaching of the Word of God.

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who during the time of a Mission have heard some of the sermons and are present for the solemn close of the Mission.

13. First Mass of newly-ordained Priests

A plenary indulgence is granted to a priest on the occasion of the first Mass he celebrates with some solemnity and to the faithful who devoutly assist at the same Mass.

14. Recitation of the Rosary

A plenary indulgence is granted, if the Rosary is recited in a church or public oratory or in a family group, a religious Community or pious Association; a partial indulgence is granted in other circumstances.

• The gaining of the plenary indulgence is regulated by the following norms:
• The recitation of a third part only of the Rosary suffices; but the five decades must be recited continuously.
• The vocal recitation must be accompanied by pious meditation on the mysteries.
• In public recitation the mysteries must be announced in the manner customary in the place; for private recitation, however, it suffices if the vocal recitation is accompanied by meditation on the mysteries.

15. Reading of Sacred Scripture

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.

16. Veneration of the Saints

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who on the feast of any Saint recite in his honor the oration of the Missal or any other approved by legitimate Authority.

17. Exercise of the Way of the Cross

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who make the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross. In the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross we recall anew the sufferings, which the divine Redeemer endured, while going from the praetorium of Pilate, where he was condemned to death, to the mount of Calvary, where he died on the cross for our salvation. The gaining of the plenary indulgence is regulated by the following norms:

• The pious exercise must be made before stations of the Way of the Cross legitimately erected. For the erection of the Way of the Cross fourteen crosses are required, to which it is customary to add fourteen pictures or images, which represent the stations of Jerusalem.
• According to the more common practice, the pious exercise consists of fourteen pious readings, to which some vocal prayers are added. However, nothing more is required than a pious meditation on the Passion and Death of the Lord, which need not be a particular consideration of the individual mysteries of the stations.
• A movement from one station to the next is required. But if the pious exercise is made publicly and if it is not possible for all taking part to go in an orderly way from station to station, it suffices if at least the one conducting the exercise goes from station to station, the others remaining in their place.
• Those who are "impeded" can gain the same indulgence, if they spend at least one half an hour in pious reading and meditation on the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

18. Visit to the Parochial Church

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit the parochial church:

• On the titular feast;
• On the 2nd of August, when the indulgence of the "Portiuncula" occurs.

Both indulgences can be acquired either on the day designated above or on some other day designated by the Ordinary for the benefit of the faithful.

The same indulgences apply to the Cathedral church and, where there is one, to a Co- Cathedral church, even if they are not parochial churches; they apply to quasi-parochial churches also In visiting the church, it is required, that "one Our Father and the Creed be recited."

19. Visit to a Church or an Altar on the day of its consecration

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who visit a church or an altar on the day itself of its consecration, and there recite one Our Father and the Creed.

20. Visit to a Church or Oratory on All Souls Day

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 piously visit a church, a public oratory or -- for those entitled to use it -- a semipublic oratory.

The above indulgence can be acquired either on the day designated above or, with the consent of the Ordinary, on the preceding or following Sunday or the feast of All Saints.

In visiting the church or oratory, it is required that "one Our Father and the Creed be recited."

21. Visit to a Church or Oratory of Religious on the Feast of the Holy Founder

A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit a church or oratory of Religious on the Feast of the canonized Founder, and there recite one Our Father and the Creed.

22. The Portiuncula Indulgence

To obtain the Portiuncula plenary indulgence, a person must visit the Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels at Assisi, or a Franciscan sanctuary, or any parish with the intention of honoring Our Lady of the Angels. Then perform the work of reciting the Creed and Our Father, pray for the Pope’s designated intentions and aprayer to Our  Lady of the Angels. The faithful should be free, at least intentionally, of attachment to venial and mortal sin, and truly repentant. Make asacramental confession 8 days before or after. Participate at assist at Mass and receive Holy Communion 8 days before or after.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY

(To be prayed on obtaining the Portiuncula Indulgence)

O August Queen of the Heavens, heavenly sovereign of the Angels, Thou who from the beginning received from God the power and the mission to crush the head of Satan, we humbly beseech Thee to send Your holy Legions, so that under Thy command and through Thy power, they may pursue the demons and combat them everywhere, suppress their boldness, and drive them back into the abyss. Who is like God? O good and tender Mother, Thou will always be our love and hope! O Divine Mother, send Thy Holy Angels to defend me and to drive far away from me the cruel enemy. Holy Angels and Archangels, defend us, guard us. Amen.

23. Indulgence for the New Year

Plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who will recite or sung the “Te Deum” on the last day of the year (December 31) and “Veni Creator Spiritus” on the first day of the year (January 1).

24. Holy Door

A Holy Door is a door in a basilica, a cathedral, a shrine or a selected parish that is only opened in a Jubilee year. Pilgrims who pass through it gain a plenary indulgence, as long as the normal requirements are met.

So now we learned how what an indulgence is and how to obtain one, let us take these opportunity to gain them for the good of our soul. As we conclude on this blogpost, here is an old prayer on obtaining these indulgences when we do these pious works. 

PRAYER FOR OBTAINING INDULGENCES

My Lord and my God, I humbly beseech Thee, that in consideration of the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, Thou wilt grant unto me all the indulgences attached to my prayers and works this day. I desire to enter into dispositions necessary to gain these indulgences, that I may satisfy divine justice and assists the souls in purgatory.