Plenary indulgence

[biloute]

I was doing some reading on Britain's Confraternity of St. James site and it said that the plenary indulgence, in addition to during the Holy Years, "is available on St James’s three feast days (23 May – the Apparition; 25 July – his martyrdom; and 30 December – the translation of the relics)." I had not been aware of that. I'm not catholic and have no intention of converting, but I do find the concept interesting.

 

[Paddington Bear]

For those who don't know what a plenary indulgence is:
This means the full remission of all temporal punishment (time spent in purgatory) due to sin in one's entire lifetime up to that point.

From plenary indulgence website:
https://tinyurl.com/krqany4

 

[Bradypus]

provided, obviously that they fulfill all the usual requirements.

For those who are less familiar with the concept it might be useful to read what the Vatican says about "the usual requirements". Indulgences are often misunderstood as a "get out of jail free" card awarded simply for acts like visiting a shrine like Santiago. A little more to it than that.....

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/t...rc_trib_appen_pro_20000129_indulgence_en.html

 

[biloute]

For those who are less familiar with the concept it might be useful to read what the Vatican says about "the usual requirements". Indulgences are often misunderstood as a "get out of jail free" card awarded simply for acts like visiting a shrine like Santiago. A little more to it than that.....

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/t...rc_trib_appen_pro_20000129_indulgence_en.html

What is the state of grace they're talking about? They don't define it.


To gain indulgences, whether plenary or partial, it is necessary that the faithful be in the state of grace at least at the time the indulgenced work is completed.

 

[Bradypus]

What is the state of grace they're talking about? They don't define it.

A complicated question to answer, and one that would probably strain the forum's rules on discussion of religion. In its simplest and most usual definition it means that the person is free from mortal sin - any grave offence which if unrepented and unabsolved may separate the person from the saving grace of God. In practice the term normally implies someone who has made a recent confession and received absolution.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Many people including me find the whole issue of indulgences to be a puzzle and often we think that they are unique to the pilgrimage or to the Jacobean Holy Year.

In fact (to add to the puzzlement) the Enchiridion of Indulgences lists 70 sets of actions which can attract indulgences - these include reading Scripture for 30 minutes, receiving the Pope's blessing to the city of Rome and the world - even by radio, visiting a cemetery between the 1 and 8 November and many other things.

So if you believe in them you can get an indulgence any time, any where as often as you wish without journeying to Santiago!