During Lent, a time of preparation for Holy Week, we have the opportunity to deepen our personal conversion and obtain special graces. Therefore, from Hospitallers Sisters, we share with you 4 ways to gain a plenary indulgence every day during this season.
But first, we must ask ourselves, what is a plenary indulgence?
An indulgence, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, is the remission before God of the temporal punishment for sins already forgiven. This is achieved through the Church when a faithful fulfills certain conditions. In short, plenary indulgence allows the soul to return to the state it was in when it was baptized.
It is important to note that indulgences can be obtained either for oneself or for the soul of a deceased person, but never for someone living. In addition, there are partial and plenary indulgences.
Pope St. Paul VI affirmed that gaining indulgences in suffrage for the deceased is an excellent sign of charity and helps to focus correctly on the supernatural. This is precisely why seeking a plenary indulgence for others is a great opportunity to make our own the humanity, welcome, universality, love and service that are essential parts of our Hospitaller charism.
Now, how cam I gain a Plenary Indulgence?
It is crucial to remember that you can only gain one plenary indulgence a day, and there are four ways to do this.
Meditating on the Way of the Cross: You can gain a plenary indulgence by personally praying the Way of the Cross or by joining your piety to that of the Supreme Pontiff, either in person or through the media.
Praying the Holy Rosary: You should pray it with devotion in a church, oratory, in a family, in a religious community or in an association of the faithful. It is required to pray at least a quarter of the Rosary in a row and meditate on the mysteries.
Eucharistic Adoration: Visit the Blessed Sacrament for at least half an hour to adore it. You may also recite the hymn “Tantum ergo” after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.
Reading or listening to Sacred Scripture: Read Sacred Scripture with veneration for at least half an hour, or listen to it through an audio or video device.
To gain the plenary indulgence, it is necessary to fulfill three additional conditions: confession of sins, receiving Holy Communion and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father.
From Hospitallers Sisters, we encourage you to deepen our Faith this Lent and gain a Plenary Indulgence for ourselves or our loved ones in Heaven.
