Expert: Fr. Michael - 8/9/2006

Question
Hello,

My question regards the last and most difficult requirement for obtaining a plenary indulgence, namely, detachment from all sin.

What precisely does this mean?  Does it mean completing the day of the indulgenced work without sinning?  Feeling no emotional inclination towards any sin?

Is it even possible to ever know, barring private revelation from God or a saint, whether or not one has obtained a plenary indulgence?

Thank you for the help and God bless you.

Answer
       An indulgence is a plenary (complete) or partial remission of the debt of temporal punishment due for the consequences of sin.  Even after sin has been forgiven in the Sacrament of Penance, there is a debt of justice to be paid for the residual harm done.  For example, if one has
spread a calumny about another, the harm done to the person's reputation continues as a result of the sin, even when forgiven.

       Whatever temporal punishment due that has not been satisfied in this life by commensurate degree of prayer, fasting, and good works offered to Almighty God in reparation must be remitted in Purgatory.  From the writings of the Saints and private revelation, it appears that most souls leave this life with a large debt of temporal punishment to be remitted in Purgatory.

       Traditionally, the degree of the debt of sin remitted is indicated relatively in terms of days or years (e.g., 40 days).  This indication does not refer to the number of days or years in Purgatory, since time as we know it does not exist there.  Rather, the figure indicates the
relative remission of so much of the debt of temporal punishment as would be remitted by performing the ancient canonical penances for the equivalent period.

       Indeed, the ancient penances were quite severe, for example, the exclusion from church and heavy penances for the entire Lenten period of forty days for those guilty of significant public sins.  In effect, the indulgences for meritorious works are an absolution of temporal punishment beyond the usually minimal penances that are nowadays
required in the Sacrament of Penance.

       The Church, from the treasury of the merits of Christ and His Saints, provides for the remission of temporal punishment through indulgenced prayers, fasting, and good works.  Usually, such remission may be applied to oneself or to the Holy Souls in Purgatory.  For all
indulgences, one must have the right intention, be in the state of grace, and fulfill the prescribed good work.

       The seven requirements for the gaining of an indulgence are:
       (1) The intention of gaining the indulgence.
       (2) The state of sanctifying grace, with the required reception of the Sacrament of Penance within eight days either before or after the day to which the indulgence is attached.  This confession suffices for the gaining
of all indulgences during this period.
       (3) The fulfillment of the prescribed good work.
       (4) Holy Communion on the eve of the day or within its octave.  Holy Communion once received suffices for gaining several indulgences on the same day, each of which requires the reception of Holy Communion.  If as a result
of long illness or some other physical impediment, a person is unable to receive the prescribed Holy Communion, the confessor may substitute some other pious work.
       (5) Visit to a church.
       (6) Vocal Prayer.  The prescribed prayers must be vocal, that is, the lips most move, and the words must be at least mouthed silently.  Therefore, mental prayer is not sufficient, unless the contrary is expressly stated.
       (7) Prayers for the Pope's Intention.  The pope's intention comprises the exaltation of Holy Mother Church, the propagation of the Faith, the uprooting of heresy, the conversion of sinners, peace and concord among Christian nations, and the other needs of Christianity.  If no set prayers have been prescribed for the intention of the pope, it is sufficient to recite one Pater, one Ave, and one Gloria (six of each for the Toties Quoties indulgence on All Souls Day and on the Sunday following).