Nov 02., 2025   /   CATECHESIS, Resources

PLENARY INDULGENCE on ALL SAINTS’ and ALL SOULS’ DAY

What is Plenary Indulgence?

It is the remission of the temporal punishment of our sins even after they are forgiven in sacramental confession. It completely removes this punishment, which is the lingering effect of sin and may otherwise be paid in purgatory.

During the celebration of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day, we can offer the plenary indulgence to one particular dead, by fulfilling particular conditions. The 1967 Apostolic Constitution Indulgentiarum Doctrina lists the three essential conditions that must be fulfilled for any plenary indulgence, plus the need for a complete detachment from sin:

1. Sacramental confession – on the day or within a week
2. Mass and reception of Holy Communion – on the day you intend to obtain the indulgence
3. Prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father (Pope) – usually the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be4. Complete detachment from all sin, even venialWhen the plenary indulgence is offered for the dead:

The ordinary conditions are not enough; you must also carry out a work that the Church has attached a plenary indulgence to when it is offered for a particular dead person:
* Offer a Mass for the soul – attend the Mass
* Pray a rosary, a set of prayers, or a specific intention – for example, “May the soul of [Name] rest in peace.”

(Source: Rev. Fr. Vladimir Echalas, SOLT)

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