WHAT IS AN INDULGENCE?
“At its core, an indulgence is the faithful asking God for his treasury of merit and mercy for the forgiveness of sins,” said Father Christopher J. Pujol, Co-director of the Office of Worship. “It’s taking the merits of the faithful across the millennia of the saints to the good work we practice today that is stored in heaven, the treasury of heaven, and His treasury is being opened for an individual to receive a full remission and pardon of their sins.”
Father Pujol, who is also Parochial Vicar at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish, Greensburg, and Episcopal Master of Ceremonies, said that when Catholics go to confession, our sins are forgiven but we still owe temporal punishment due to sin, which is purgatory where that temporal punishment will take place.
“Receiving a plenary indulgence is a removal of that temporal punishment. You have to be in a state of grace; that is why there are extra opportunities for confession. You have to have received holy Communion within a certain period of time; you have to pray for the intercessions of the Holy Father.”
One who has fulfilled those conditions can receive a plenary indulgence for themselves or apply it to the soul of a deceased loved one in purgatory..
There are many ways to obtain a plenary indulgence during the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Attend the Jubilee Opening Mass at the Cathedral
The faithful can obtain an indulgence by attending the Solemn Opening Mass of the Jubilee Sunday, Dec. 29, at 3 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, with Bishop Larry J. Kulick.
Making a pilgrimage to Rome
Catholics can obtain a plenary indulgence by visiting at least one of the four major papal basilicas: St. Peter’s Basilica, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major or St. Paul Outside the Walls. Bishop Kulick is conducting a pilgrimage to Rome during Lent. For details, visit: www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/jubilee-of-hope-pilgrimage-2025
Perform works of mercy
Catholics are especially encouraged to practice corporal and spiritual works of mercy during a Jubilee Year. The Apostolic Penitentiary lists visiting prisoners, spending time with lonely, elderly people, aiding the sick or disabled, and helping those who are in need as ways to obtain an indulgence. Practicing works of mercy, it says, is “in a sense making a pilgrimage to Christ present in them.”
Indulgences for works of mercy can be received multiple times throughout the Jubilee Year, even daily, according to the decree.
Fast
Donate “a proportionate sum of money to the poor”
Support religious or social works, especially in defense of life in all phases
Offer support to migrants, the elderly, the poor, young people in difficulty and abandoned children
Volunteer in service to your community
Put the spirit of penance into practice
A jubilee plenary indulgence can be obtained through initiatives that put into practice, in a concrete and generous way, the spirit of penance which is, in a sense, the soul of the jubilee.
Visit your local cathedral
Catholics can gain a plenary indulgence by making a pious pilgrimage to Blessed Sacrament Cathedral for Mass, reconciliation and prayer on the second Saturday of each month.
In order to obtain a plenary indulgence in any of the ways listed above, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
1. Detachment from all sin, even venial.
2. Sacramental confession, holy Communion and prayer for the intentions of the pope. These three conditions can be fulfilled a few days before or after performing the works to gain an indulgence, but it is appropriate that communion and the prayer take place on the same day that the work is completed.
A single sacramental confession is sufficient for several plenary indulgences, but frequent sacramental confession is encouraged in order to obtain the grace of deeper conversion and purity of heart.
For each plenary indulgence sought, a separate holy Communion and a separate prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father are required.
The prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father is left up to the choice of the individual, but an Our Father and Hail Mary are suggested.
