Miscellaneous Catholic Facts and Resources
INDULGENCES: A Brief on Indulgences: Although mortal sins are forgiven in the Sacrament of Confession, we still have to do penance and shorten our time in Purgatory. A Plenary indulgences “cancels” all our time while a partial indulgence shortens it. We can gain one plenary indulgence a day and they can be applied to purgatory but not another living person. An indulgence is not based on the abuse of God’s mercy of paying into Heaven but doing good works and having the merits of Mary and the Saints applied to you. The Handbook of Indulgences How to Gain Indulgences 1) Have the right intention of gaining the indulgence. 2) Be in the state of grace (Confession 20 days before or after receiving the indulgence. One confession suffices for all indulgences obtained in this period.) 3) Fulfillment of the good work prescribed. 4) Receive Holy Communion within 20 days of gaining the indulgence, for every indulgence desired Communion should be received....