Indulgence

INDULGENCE

In the Jubilee Year of Mercy

When we commit sin there are two effects; the eternal punishment and temporal punishment. The eternal punishment (the guilt of the sin) is removed through sacramental confession, but temporal punishment is not remitted. We have to do proper penance for our sins in order to get remission from the temporal punishment. If we do not do it on this earth, we have to do it after death, in purgatory.

Indulgence is not remission of sins but remission of the temporal punishment of sins already forgiven through sacramental confession.

Who can obtain an Indulgence?

1.     One must be a catholic in communion with the Pope and should have the intention to receive it.

2.     Indulgences can always be applied either to oneself or to the souls of the deceased,

3.     It cannot be applied to other persons living on earth.

4.     A plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day.

Conditions to obtain Indulgence in the year of Mercy

1.     Enter the cathedral/ pilgrim Church through the Holy Door of Mercy

2.     Make a sacramental confession

3.     Receive Holy Communion with reflection on mercy

4.     Make a profession of the faith (Creed)

5.     Pray for the intention of Holy Father (at least 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary & 1 Glory be…)

The faithful will have to fulfill all these five conditions in order to gain indulgence. Conditions No.2 to 5 may be done in 8 days (in either side).

Fr. Mathew John