REGULATIONS ON INDULGENCES
Issued by the Holy See June 29, 1968
PLENARY INDULGENCES
1
Visit to the Patriarchal Basilicas in Rome
(Basilicarum Patriarchalium in Urbe visitatio)
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit one
of the four Patriarchal Basilicas in Rome, and there recite one Our
Father and the Creed.
1) on the titular feast;
2) on any holyday of obligation;
3) once a year, on any other day of one's choice.
2
Papal Blessing
(Benedictio Papalis)
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously and devoutly receive, even by radio transmission, the Blessing of
the Sovereign Pontiff, when imparted to Rome and the World.
3
Visit to a Cemetery
(Coemeterii visitatio)
An indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to
the faithful, who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only
mentally, for the departed. The indulgence is plenary each day from the
1st to the 8th of November; on other days of the year it is partial.
4
Adoration of the Cross
(Crucis adoratio)
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who in the solemn
liturgical action of Good Friday devoutly assist at the adoration of
the Cross and kiss it.
5
Behold, O good and sweetest Jesus,
(En ego, o bone et dulcissime Iseu)
Behold, O good and sweetest Jesus, I cast myself
upon my knees in Thy sight, and with the most fervent desire of my soul
I pray and beseech Thee to impress upon my heart lively sentiments
of faith, hope and charity, with true repentance for my sins and a most
firm desire of amendment: whilst with deep affection and grief of soul
I consider within myself and mentally contemplate Thy five most precious
Wounds, having before mine eyes that which David, the prophet, long ago
spoke in Thine Own person concerning Thee, my Jesus: They have pierced My hands and My feet, they have numbered all My bones [
Psalm
21, 17, 18].
A plenary indulgence is granted on each Friday of Lent and Passiontide
to the faithful, who after Communion piously recite the above prayer
before an image of Christ crucified;
on other days of the year the indulgence is partial.
6
Eucharistic Congress
(
Eucharisticus conventus)
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly
participate in the customary solemn eucharistic rite at the close of a
Eucharistic Congress.
7
Spiritual Exercises
(
Exercitia spiritualia)
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who spend at least three whole days in the spiritual exercises of a retreat.
8
Most Sweet Jesus------Act of Reparation
(
Iesu dulcissime------Reparationis actus)
The Friday that follows the Second Sunday after Pentecost is the Feast of the
Sacred Heart which brings to mind all the attributes of His Divine Heart. Many
Catholics prepare for this Feast by beginning a Novena to the Sacred
Heart on the Feast of Corpus Christi, which is the Thursday of the week
before. On the Feast of the Sacred Heart itself, we can gain a plenary
indulgence by making an Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart. On all other days, the indulgence is partial.
O sweet Jesus, Whose overflowing charity for men is requited by so much
forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Thy altar
eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries,
to which Thy loving Heart is everywhere subject.
Mindful alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities,
which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Thy pardon and
declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation not only for our own
personal offences, but also for the sins of those, who straying far from the
path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow Thee, their
Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the vows of their Baptism, have cast off the
sweet yoke of Thy law.
We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed
against Thee; we are determined to make amends for the manifold offences against
Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behaviour, for all the foul seductions
laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violation of Sundays
and holidays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against Thee and Thy Saints.
We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Thy Vicar on earth and Thy
priests are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible
acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of Thy Divine love; and lastly for the
public crimes of nations who resist the rights and the teaching authority of the
Church which Thou hast founded.
Would, O Divine Jesus, we were able to wash away such abominations with our
blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Thy Divine honour,
the satisfaction Thou didst once make to Thy eternal Father on the Cross and
which Thou dost continue to renew daily on our altars; we offer it in union with
the acts of atonement of Thy Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious
faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make reparation, as far as we can
with the help of Thy grace, for all neglect of Thy great love and for the sins
we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth we will live a life of
unwavering faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of
the gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power
to prevent others from offending Thee and to bring as many as possible to follow
Thee.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary our model
in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of
expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death
in our duty and the allegiance we owe to Thee, so that we may all one day come
to that happy home, where Thou with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and
reignest God, world without end. Amen.
9
The Moment of Death
(
In articulo mortis)
To the faithful in danger of death, who cannot be assisted by a priest to bring them the sacraments and impart the Apostolic
Blessing with its plenary indulgence (see can. 468, § 2 of Code of
Canon Law), Holy Mother Church nevertheless grants a plenary indulgence
to be acquired at the point of death, provided they are properly
disposed and have been in the habit of reciting some prayers during
their lifetime. The use of a Crucifix or a Cross to gain this
indulgence is praiseworthy.
The condition: provided they have been in the habit of reciting some
prayers during their lifetime supplies in such cases for the three
usual conditions required for the gaining of a plenary indulgence.
The plenary indulgence at the point of death can be acquired by the
faithful, even if they have already obtained another plenary
indulgence on the same day.
The above grant is taken from the Apostolic Constitution The Doctrine of Indulgences, Norm 18.
10
Use of Articles of Devotion
(
Obiectorum pietatis usus)
The faithful, who devoutly use an article of devotion (Crucifix or
Cross, Rosary, Scapular or Medal) properly blessed by any priest,
obtain a partial indulgence.
In order to bless an article of devotion properly the priest uses the
prescribed formula, if there is any; otherwise, he makes a simple Sign
of the Cross toward the article of devotion, laudably adding the words:
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
In practice, a formula is to be used in the public blessing of Scapulars, while a Sign of the Cross suffices for other cases.
But if the article of devotion has been blessed by the Sovereign
Pontiff or by any Bishop, the faithful, using it, can also gain a
plenary indulgence on the Feast of the Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul,
provided they also make a profession of faith according to any
legitimate formula.
11
Assistance at Sacred Preaching
(
Praedicationis sacrae participatio)
[ partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who assist with
devotion and attention at the sacred preaching of the Word of God.]
A
plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who during the time of
a Mission have heard some of the sermons and are present for the solemn
close of the Mission.
12
First Communion
(P
rima Communio)
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, when they receive
Communion for the first time, 6r when they assist at the sacred
ceremonies of a First Communion.
13
First Mass of newly-ordained Priests
(
Prima Missa neosacerdotum)
A plenary indulgence is granted to a priest on the occasion of the
first Mass he celebrates with some solemnity and to the faithful who
devoutly assist at the same Mass.
14
Recitation of the Marian
Rosary [or
Rosary Novena pages]
(
Rosarii marialis recitatio)
A plenary indulgence is granted, if the Rosary is recited in a church
or public oratory or in "a family group, a religious Community or
pious Association; [a partial indulgence is granted in other
circumstances].
"Now the Rosary is a certain formula of prayer, which is made up of
fifteen decades of "Hail Marys" with an "Our Father" before each
decade, and in which the recitation of each decade is accompanied by
pious meditation on a particular mystery of our Redemption."
(
Roman
Breviary)
The name "Rosary," however, is commonly used in reference to only a third part of the fifteen decades.
The gaining of the plenary indulgence is regulated by the following norms:
1) The recitation of a third part only of the Rosary suffices; but the five decades must be recited continuously.
2) The vocal recitation must be accompanied by pious
meditation on the mysteries.
3) In public recitation the mysteries must be announced in the manner
customary in the place; for private recitation, however, it suffices if
the vocal recitation is accompanied by meditation on the mysteries.
4) For those belonging to the Oriental rites, amongst whom this
devotion is not practiced, the Patriarchs can deter- mine some other
prayers in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary (for those of the Byzantine
rite, for example, the Hymn "Akathistos" or the Office "Paraclisis");
to the prayers thus determined are accorded the same indulgences as for
the Rosary.
The Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries
1. The Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary
2. The Visitation of the Virgin Mary to the Parents of St. John the Baptist
3. The Birth of Our Lord at Bethlehem
4. The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple
5. The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple
The Sorrowful Mysteries
1. The Agony of Our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane
2. The Scourging
of Our Lord at the Pillar
3. The Crowning of Our Lord with Thorns
4. The Carrying of the Cross by Our Lord to Calvary
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord
The Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection of Our Lord from the Dead
2. The Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles
4. The Assumption of Our Blessed Lady into Heaven
5. The Coronation of Our Blessed Lady as Queen of Heaven and Earth
15
Jubilees of Sacerdotal Ordination
(
Sacerdotalis Ordinationis celebrationes iubilares)
A plenary indulgence is granted to a priest, who on the 25th, 50th and
60th anniversary of his Ordination renews be- fore God his resolve to
fulfill faithfully the duties of his vocation.
If the priest celebrates a jubilee Mass in some solemn manner, the
faithful, who assist at it, can acquire a plenary indulgence.
16
Diocesan
Synod
(Synodus dioecesana)
A plenary
indulgence is granted to the faithful, who during the time of the diocesan
Synod devoutly visit the church, in which the Synod is being held, and
there recite one Our Father and the Creed.
17
Down
in adoration falling
(Tantum ergo)
Down
in adoration falling,
Lo!
the sacred Host we hail;
Lo!
o'er ancient forms departing,
Newer
rites of grace prevail;
Faith
for all defects supplying,
Where
the feeble senses fail.
To
the everlasting Father,
And
the Son Who reigns on high,
With
the Holy Spirit proceeding
Forth
from each eternally,
Be
salvation, honor, blessing,
Might
and endless majesty. Amen.
V. Thou hast given them bread from Heaven,
R.
Having all sweetness within it.
Let
us pray.
O God, Who in this wonderful Sacrament left us a memorial of Thy
Passion: grant, we implore Thee, that we may so venerate the sacred mysteries
of Thy Body and Blood, as always to be conscious of the fruit of Thy
Redemption. Thou Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
(Roman Breviary)
[A partial
indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly recite the above
strophes.] But a plenary indulgence is granted on Holy Thursday and
on the Feast of Corpus Christi, if they are recited in a solemn manner.
18
Te Deum Laudamus
(Te Deum)
WE
praise Thee, O God; we acknowledge
Thee to be Our Lord.
Thee, the Father everlasting, all the
earth
doth worship.
To Thee all Angels; to Thee the Heavens
and
all the powers.
To Thee the Cherubim and Seraphim
continually
cry:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts.
Heaven
and earth are full of the
majesty of Thy glory.
The
glorious choir of the Apostles praises
Thee.
The admirable company of Prophets
praises
Thee.
The White-robed army of the Martyrs
praises
Thee.
Thee, the holy Church throughout the
world
doth confess:
The
Father of infinite majesty;
Thine adorable, true, and only Son;
Also, the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
Thou, O Christ, art the King of glory.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the
Father.
Thou,
having taken upon Thee to deliver man,
didst not disdain the Virgin's womb.
Thou, having overcome the sting of
death,
hast opened to believers the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God,
in
the glory of the Father.
Thou, we believe, art the judge to come.
We
beseech Thee, therefore, to help Thy servants,
whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy
Precious
Blood.
Make them to be numbered with Thy
Saints
in glory everlasting.
O Lord save Thy people and bless Thine
inheritance.
And govern them, and exalt them forever.
Day
by day we bless Thee.
And we praise Thy name forever; yea,
forever
and ever.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, to keep us
from
sin.
Have mercy on us. O Lord, have mercy on
us.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as
we
have trusted in Thee.
In Thee, O Lord, have I trusted; let me
not
be confounded forever.
Blessed
art thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
And worthy to be praised and glorified
forever.
Let us bless the Father and the Son,
with
the Holy Ghost.
Let us praise and magnify Him forever.
[A partial indulgence is granted
to the faithful, who recite the Te Deum in thanksgiving.] But a
plenary indulgence is
granted,
if the hymn is recited publicly on the last day of the year.
19
Visit
to the Parochial Church
(Visitatio ecclesiae paroecialis)
A
plenary
indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit the parochial
church:
on
the titular feast;
on
the 2nd of August, when the indulgence of the "Portiuncula" occurs.
Both
indulgences can be acquired either on the day designated above or on some
other day designated by the Ordinary for the benefit of the faithful.
The
same indulgences apply to the Cathedral church and, where there is one,
to a Co-Cathedral church, even if they are not parochial churches; they
apply to quasi-parochial churches also.
The
above indulgences are contained in the Apostolic Constitution The Doctrine
of Indulgences, Norm 15, with account being taken at the same time of proposals
made to the Sacred Penitentiary in the meanwhile.
In
visiting the church, it is required, according to Norm 16 of the same Apostolic
Constitution, that "one Our Father and the Creed be recited."
20
Visit
to a Church or an Altar on the day of its consecration
(Visitatio ecclesiae
vel altaris die consecrationis)
A
plenary
indulgence is granted to the faithful, who visit a church or an altar
on the day itself of its consecration, and there recite one Our Father
and the Creed.
21
Visit
to a Church or Oratory on All Souls Day [November 2]
(Visitatio ecclesiae vel oratorii
in Commemoratione omnium fidelium defunctorum)
A
plenary
indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to
the faithful, who on the day dedicated to the Commemoration of all the
faithful departed piously visit a church, a public oratory or-----for those
entitled to use it -----a semipublic oratory.
The
above indulgence can be acquired either on the day designated above or,
with the consent of the Ordinary, on the preceding or following Sunday
or the Feast of All Saints [November 1].
The
above indulgence is contained in the Apostolic Constitution The Doctrine
of Indulgences, Norm 15, with account being taken of proposals made to
the Sacred Penitentiary in the meantime.
In
visiting the church or oratory, it is required, according to Norm 16 of
the same Apostolic Constitution, that "one Our Father and the Creed be
recited."
22
Visit
to a Church or Oratory of Religious on the Feast of the Holy Founder
(Visitatio
ecclesiae vel oratorii Religiosorum die festo Sancti Fundatoris)
A
plenary
indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit a church
or oratory of Religious on the Feast of the canonized Founder, and there
recite one Our Father and the Creed.
23
Pastoral
Visitation
(Visitatio pastoralis)
A partial
indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit a church
or a public or semipublic oratory during the time that a pastoral visitation
is being held; but a
plenary indulgence, to be gained once only,
is granted, if during the time of the visitation they assist at a sacred
function at which the Visitator presides.
24
Renewal
of Baptismal Promises
(Votorum baptismalium renovatio)
[A
partial
indulgence is granted to the faithful, who renew their Baptismal promises
according to any formula in use;]
but a plenary indulgence is granted, if this is done in the celebration
of the Paschal Vigil or on the anniversary of one's Baptism
25
Exercise of the Way of the Cross
(Viae Crucis exercitium)
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who make the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross.
In the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross we recall anew the
sufferings, which the Divine Redeemer endured, while going from the
praetorium of Pilate, where He was condemned to death, to the mount of
Calvary, where He died on the Cross for our salvation.
The gaining of the plenary indulgence is regulated by the following norms:
1) The pious exercise must be made before stations of the Way of the Cross legitimately erected.
2) For the erection of the Way of the Cross fourteen crosses are
required, to which it is customary to add fourteen pictures or images,
which represent the stations of Jerusalem.
3) According to the more common practice, the pious exercise consists
of fourteen pious readings, to which some vocal prayers are added.
However, nothing more is required than a pious meditation on the
Passion and Death of the Lord, which need not be a particular
consideration of the individual mysteries of the stations.
4) A movement from one station to the next is required. But if the pious exercise is made publicly and if it is not
possible for all taking part to go in an orderly way from station to
station, it suffices if at least the one conducting the exercise goes
from station to station, the others remaining in their place.
Those who are "impeded" can gain the same indulgence, if they spend at
least one half an hour in pious reading and meditation on the Passion
and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For those belonging to Oriental rites, amongst whom this pious exercise
is not practiced, the respective Patriarchs can determine some other
pious exercise in memory of the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus
Christ for the gaining of this indulgence.
The Stations of the Cross
STATIONS, LINK 1
STATIONS, LINK 2
STATIONS, LINK 3
1. Jesus is condemned to death
2. Jesus bears His Cross
3. Jesus falls the first time
4. Jesus meets His Mother
5. Jesus is helped by Simon
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
7. Jesus falls a second time
8. Jesus speaks to the holy women of Jerusalem
9. Jesus falls a third time
10. Jesus is stripped of His garments
11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross
12. Jesus dies on the Cross
13. Jesus is taken down from the Cross
14. Jesus is placed in the tomb
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