Dear Parishioners of St. James:
Praised be Jesus Christ!
With the Solemnity of All Saints (November 1st) and the Memorial of All Souls (November 2nd) approaching it is helpful to review the Church teaching on indulgences. An indulgence is the remission of temporal punishment due to sin (the guilt of which was absolved in the Sacrament of Confession). The punishment due to our forgiven sins can be remitted completely (a plenary indulgence) or partially (a partial indulgence). To receive an indulgence requires a proper state of soul and the intention to apply the benefit to oneself or to a soul (or all souls) in Purgatory.
Our Father in Heaven does not want to punish His children, so He gives us ample opportunity while still on earth to make up for the punishment due to our sins. Certain conditions are required to ensure that one is pursuing the indulgence with the proper intentions. The usual conditions to gain a plenary indulgence are:
~ To perform the indulgenced act itself,
~ To receive or have received the Sacrament of Confession within 20 days before or after the indulgenced act
~ To receive or have received Holy Communion within 20 days before or after the indulgenced act, preferably on the same day as the act
~ To offer prayers for the Pope and his intentions, usually an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be
~ To be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin.
Some examples of acts eligible for a plenary indulgence include: Visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament for 30 minutes; The Most Holy Rosary recited in church or with others; 30 minutes of devout Bible reading; Praying the Stations of the Cross in church; Visiting a cemetery from November 1st – 8th to pray for the faithful departed.
If a person fails to meet all of the conditions listed above, then the indulgence is partial rather than plenary. No prayer is ever wasted; God hears all of our prayers and bestows benefits on His faithful ones. Turn to the Lord and His mercy every day in order to purify yourself and the faithful departed in Purgatory. As we journey in faith seeking greater purity of heart, we will be ever-ready for the divine union to which our Father calls all of His children.
God bless you,
Fr. Geary
Saint James Catholic Church 