Sarah Mitchell
In the Catholic Church, an indulgence is a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for forgiven sins. Indulgences are granted by the Church for specific good works and prayers, and they draw on the treasury of merit accumulated by Jesus's death on the cross and the virtues and penances of the saints. The practice of indulgences has a long history, dating back to the times of the ancient Roman persecutions of Christians. Over the centuries, the use of indulgences has waxed and waned, with reforms in the 20th century abolishing the quantification of indulgences and curbing abuses. Today, indulgences continue to play a role in modern Catholic religious life, with Catholics granted indulgences for saying specific prayers or performing pious exercises. There are two types of indulgences: partial, which remits part of the temporal punishment for sins, and plenary, which remits all temporal punishment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "A remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven" |
| Basis | Draws on the "treasury of merit" accumulated by Jesus's death on the cross and the virtues and penances of the saints |
| Requirements | Must have confessed sins, received absolution, and completed penance |
| Actions | Saying specific prayers, pilgrimage, visiting a particular place, or performing specific good works |
| Purpose | To reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for forgiven sins |
| Types | Partial (remission of part of temporal punishment) and plenary (remission of all temporal punishment) |
| Not | Permission to commit sin, a pardon of future sin, a guarantee of salvation, or a purchaseable pardon |
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What You'll Learn
Pray specific prayers
Praying specific prayers is one way to gain a Catholic indulgence. These prayers can be said in conjunction with receiving the Sacraments of Communion and Penance. The prayers include making an act of faith, hope, charity, contrition, or spiritual communion.
Plenary Indulgences
- "Look down Upon Me, Good and Gentle Jesus" - prayed after Communion, before an image of Christ crucified on a Friday of Lent.
- "Our Father" and "Creed" - recited when devoutly visiting one of the Patriarchal Basilicas in Rome.
- "Prayer for Unity of the Church" - granted when attending a Mission, hearing sermons, and being present for the solemn close of the Mission.
- "Soul of Christ (Anima Christi)" - a prayer that can be prayed to receive a plenary indulgence.
- "Devout reading of Sacred Scriptures" - reading the Bible for at least half an hour.
- "Prayer of the Day Mysteries of the Rosary" - praying the Rosary is one of the actions that can be accompanied by an indulgence.
Partial Indulgences
- "Mental Prayer" - spending time in pious mental prayer.
- "O Sacred Banquet" - a prayer from the Roman Breviary.
- "Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary" - reciting the litany.
- "Sign of the Cross" - making the Sign of the Cross.
- "Act of Spiritual Communion" - according to any pious formula.
- "We Give You Thanks, Lord God Almighty" - a prayer from the Roman Breviary.
- "Holy Mary Help of the Helpless, Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Visit We Beg You O Lord" - prayers from the Roman Breviary.
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Perform good works
To obtain a Catholic indulgence, one must be a Catholic and perform good works. Good works may include charitable deeds, almsgiving, or displaying piety. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines an indulgence as "a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven." This means that an indulgence reduces the amount of punishment one has to undergo for sins that have already been forgiven.
Indulgences are granted by the Church for specific good works and prayers, with the number of indulgences granted being proportional to the devotion with which the good works are performed or prayers recited. For example, a partial indulgence may be granted to those who, in the performance of their duties and when facing life's trials, turn to God with humble confidence and offer some pious invocation. Another example of a partial indulgence is granted to those who perform good works or recite prayers with a contrite heart.
To gain a plenary indulgence, one must perform the charitable work or prayer for which the indulgence is granted and fulfill certain prescribed conditions. These conditions include a complete and whole-hearted detachment from all sin, even venial sin, as well as praying for the intentions of the Pope. The faithful may also receive the Holy Eucharist and participate in Holy Mass, though this is not required. It is also sufficient for these sacred rites and prayers to be carried out within several days before or after the indulgenced act.
It is important to note that the granting of an indulgence does not imply that it can be obtained without effort or genuine repentance on the part of the faithful. The recipient of an indulgence must be free from the guilt of mortal sin and have at least the habitual intention of gaining an indulgence by the act performed.
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Go on a pilgrimage
Going on a pilgrimage is one of the ways to obtain an indulgence in the Catholic faith. An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. In other words, it is a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for sins that have already been forgiven.
To gain an indulgence through pilgrimage, one must visit specific pilgrimage sites. During the 2025 Jubilee Year, Catholics who make a pilgrimage to Rome 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. In addition, an indulgence can be obtained by spending time in prayer at several other churches in Rome, including the Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, the Basilica of St. Sebastian, and the Church of St. Paul at Tre Fontane (the site of St. Paul's martyrdom).
The Apostolic Penitentiary has also granted plenary indulgences for making pilgrimages to churches in Rome connected to great female saints, such as the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena) and St. Brigid at Campo de' Fiori. Bishops in the United States have also announced specially designated Jubilee pilgrimage sites, including cathedrals, basilicas, parish churches, local and national shrines, and monasteries.
Outside of the Jubilee Year, Catholics can gain a plenary indulgence by making a pious pilgrimage to their cathedral or to another church or shrine selected by the local bishop. It is important to note that the gaining of indulgences requires the fulfillment of certain conditions and the performance of prescribed works. These conditions include being in a state of grace, having an interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, receiving the Holy Eucharist, and participating in sacramental Confession and prayer.
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Visit a holy site
Visiting a holy site is one of the ways to obtain a Catholic indulgence. This can be done by making a pilgrimage to a sacred site, such as a church, shrine, or monastery, and devoutly participating in holy Mass.
In Rome, pilgrims can gain indulgences by passing through the holy doors at the four major basilicas: St. Peter's Basilica, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. Mary Major. Visiting any one of these basilicas fulfils the requirement of passing through the holy doors. Additionally, the Church extends the indulgence to those who are ill, elderly, or unable to physically pass through the holy doors. These individuals can unite themselves spiritually by offering their suffering or participating in Mass or confession remotely.
During the Jubilee Year, Catholics are especially encouraged to make pilgrimages to Rome, where they can obtain indulgences by visiting specific churches or practicing works of mercy. The Apostolic Penitentiary has also granted plenary indulgences for making pilgrimages to churches in Rome connected to great female saints, such as the Basilica of Santa Maria.
In the United States, bishops have designated several jubilee pilgrimage sites, including the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., as the only national "Jubilee site". Other sites include cathedrals, basilicas, parish churches, local and national shrines, and monasteries.
It is important to note that, in addition to visiting holy sites, the usual conditions for obtaining an indulgence include detachment from sin, sacramental confession, Holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the pope. These acts should be performed within a certain timeframe, usually within about 20 days before or after the indulgenced act.
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Make restitution
The concept of restitution in Catholic theology is closely tied to the idea of justice and making amends for wrongdoing. It is not merely symbolic reparation but rather signifies an act of commutative justice, requiring exact reparation as far as possible for an injury inflicted on another. This is in keeping with the Seventh Commandment, "Thou shalt not steal."
Restitution, in this context, means restoring the injured party to their former position as much as possible. For example, if someone's property has been damaged or destroyed, the responsible party must compensate them for the value of the damage. This act of restitution is not just about repairing material losses but also applies to violations of spiritual rights, such as innocence, true doctrine, or religious vocation.
In the case of sins, such as theft, the sinner must not only confess and seek forgiveness but also make restitution to the person they have wronged. This act of restitution is seen as a way to shorten the duration of penance. For instance, St. Cummian's Penitential, a seventh-century text, prescribed that a thief should make restitution proportionate to the injury they caused and be reconciled with the person they wronged to reduce their penance significantly.
It is important to note that restitution is not a means to buy forgiveness or a pardon for sins. Instead, it is an act of justice and reparation, ensuring that what belongs to another is restored to them. This act of giving back is an essential part of seeking forgiveness and achieving purification from sin.
In certain cases, such as adultery, the act of restitution may be more challenging to define and execute. While it cannot undo the irreparable injury caused, the sinner should still strive to make whatever reparation they can. This may include monetary compensation if required by lawful authority, but it primarily focuses on restoring justice and righting wrongs.
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Frequently asked questions
An indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment due to sin, the guilt of which has already been forgiven. It is not a pardon or a forgiveness of sin, but rather a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for sins that have already been forgiven.
The Catholic Church grants indulgences to Catholics who say a specific prayer or perform a pious exercise. These exercises may include pilgrimages, visiting a particular place, or performing specific good works. The Church promises to open the treasury of graces for those who pray certain prayers.
There are two types of indulgences: partial and plenary. A partial indulgence is the remission of part of the temporal punishment that a person deserves for their sins. A plenary indulgence is the remission of all temporal punishment that a person deserves for their sins.
