Indulgences

On the Solemnity of Christ the King, it is possible to receive a plenary indulgence by publicly reciting the following act of dedication of the human race to Christ the King. We will have an opportunity to do so today at Mass.

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before You. We are Yours, and Yours we wish to be; but, to be more surely united with You, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Your Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known You; many too, despising Your precepts, have rejected You. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Your Sacred Heart.

Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken You, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned You; grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. 

Grant, O Lord, to Your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and Honor forever. Amen.

November Indulgence

During the first week of November, the Church offers the faithful the possibility of obtaining a plenary indulgence applicable to the holy souls in purgatory. The November indulgence is possible for those who visit a cemetery, offer devout prayers for the deceased, and fulfill the other ‘usual conditions’ for obtaining a plenary indulgence. This is a great mercy both for the faithful departed and for us who pray for them. We can use this as an opportunity for conversion that our departed loved ones may profit by it.

What is an indulgence?

An indulgence, a gift of the mercy of God through the Church, remits before God the temporal punishment due to sin—that is, the purgation of our sins after death—whose guilt has already been forgiven with the Sacrament of Penance.

To obtain a plenary indulgence it is necessary to perform the particular work—for example the recitation on the solemnity of Christ the King of the prayer above or a visit to a cemetery in November 2020—as well as participate in sacramental confession, the reception of Holy Communion and prayer for the intentions of our Holy Father and detachment form even venial sin. If all these conditions are not fulfilled, the indulgence is partial. An indulgence can be obtained for the person himself or herself or may be applied to the beloved dead.