Lay Dominican Novitiate/ O.P. Notes
Lecture given by Dr. Bernardita Garcia, O.P.
An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful 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. (CCC s.1471)
Lecture given by Dr. Bernardita Garcia, O.P.
The gaining of indulgences requires certain prescribed conditions, and the performance of certain prescribed works. To gain indulgences, it is necessary that the faithful be in the state of grace, at least at the time the indulgenced work is completed.
An indulgence can either be partial or plenary. A partial indulgence remits only some of the temporal punishment due to sin, while the plenary indulgence remits all temporal punishment.
A partial indulgence may be acquired as often as one desires. To gain it, one must do the following ("the usual conditions"):
> A person must be in a state of grace, or free of mortal sin; the penitent must have a contrite heart.
> There is sincere intent to receive the indulgence.
> The person performs the prescribed action of the indulgence.
There are three General Grants of partial indulgences and Special Grants:
1st General Grant: A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who, in the performance of their duties and in bearing the trials of life, raise their mind with humble confidence to God, adding - even if only mentally - some pious invocations.
2nd General Grant: A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who in a spirit of faith and mercy give of themselves or of their goods to serve their brothers in need.
3rd General Grant: A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who in a spirit of penance voluntarily deprive themselves of what is licit and pleasing to them.
Special Grants:
> Indulgenced prayers, either recited alone, alternately with a companion, or by following it mentally as another recites it.
> Indulgenced works, such as the devout use of a properly blessed article of devotion (sacramentals: scapulars, medals, etc.), reading Scripture, making the sign of the Cross, visits to the Blessed Sacrament.
Plenary Indulgence
Plenary Indulgences can be acquired only once each day for the same work. The "usual conditions" for receiving plenary indulgences:
> There is sincere intent to receive the indulgence.
> The person receives the Sacrament of Penance within several days before or after the prescribed action of the indulgence, although if possible, the same day is best.
> Reception of the Eucharist, preferably during the same day, or within several days before or after the prescribed action of the indulgence.
> Pray 6 Paters (Our Father's), 6 Aves (Hail Mary's), and 6 Glorias (Glory Be's) for the intentions of the Holy Father. Recently the prescribed number is one of each, but 6 is the traditional number.
> Perform the prescribed action of the indulgence. (For example, during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, a person is required to visit a jubilee church, and enter the Jubilee Door of Mercy)
> Be free from attachment to venial sins. (If it cannot be fulfilled, then only a partial indulgence will be gained.
*** It is appropriate, but not necessary, that Confession and especially communion, and the prayer for the pontiff's intentions are done on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred prayers and rites be carried out within several days before or after the indulgenced act.
Prayer for the pope's intentions is left to the choice of the faithful, but 1 Pater and 1 Ave is suggested.
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.
For the sake of those legitimately impeded, confessors can commute both the work prescribed and the conditions required, except, of course, detachment from even venial sin.
Indulgences can always be applied either to oneself or to the souls of the deceased, but they cannot be applied to other persons living on earth.
> Perform the prescribed action of the indulgence. (For example, during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, a person is required to visit a jubilee church, and enter the Jubilee Door of Mercy)
> Be free from attachment to venial sins. (If it cannot be fulfilled, then only a partial indulgence will be gained.
*** It is appropriate, but not necessary, that Confession and especially communion, and the prayer for the pontiff's intentions are done on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred prayers and rites be carried out within several days before or after the indulgenced act.
Prayer for the pope's intentions is left to the choice of the faithful, but 1 Pater and 1 Ave is suggested.
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.
For the sake of those legitimately impeded, confessors can commute both the work prescribed and the conditions required, except, of course, detachment from even venial sin.
Indulgences can always be applied either to oneself or to the souls of the deceased, but they cannot be applied to other persons living on earth.
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