The antecedents of the plenary indulgence date back to the third century. But today they have little to do with the practices carried out in ancient Christianity. Although it retains theological and historical interest.
Since 1983, the Code of Canon Law (can. 992) and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (n. 1471) have defined indulgence in this way:
"An indulgence is the remission before God of the temporal punishment for sins, already forgiven, as to guilt, which a faithful willing and fulfilling certain conditions obtains through the mediation of the Church, which, as the administrator of redemption, distributes and applies with authority the treasure of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints."
It is called plenary indulgence because it fully suppresses this temporal punishment for sins committed and confessed up to that moment.
Cuando un cristiano comete un pecado y se arrepiente, Dios perdona sus pecados, por medio del sacramento de la confesión. Aun así, queda una responsabilidad pendiente por las consecuencias que el pecado haya tenido para la misma persona o para otras, o incluso para la sociedad en general. Esta consecuencia se llama, pena temporal y es una deuda que persiste y que hay que pagar, ya sea en esta vida o en el Purgatorio.
It is called plenary indulgence because it fully suppresses this temporal punishment for sins committed and confessed up to that moment.
Temporary punishment can be reduced through the performance of good works, prayer, Christian acceptance of suffering and the reception of indulgence, which can be partial or plenary.
The Plenary Indulgence offers the repentant and confessed sinner the benefit of totally eliminating the debt he has owed during his life in this world up to that moment. This fully abolishes the penalty to be paid for sins committed and confessed up to that moment. In the absence of plenary indulgence, this penalty would be paid in only two ways: with the sufferings and good works of this life or with a time in purgatory.
On the other hand, partial indulgence removes the temporary penalty partially. We obtain it very often. By giving ourselves a blessing; by praying the Angelus, the Magnificat; by visiting the Blessed Sacrament for a while; by praying the Creed; by making an examination of conscience; by
A lo largo del tiempo, la Iglesia, ha determinado distintas formas para alcanzar la indulgencia plenaria. Hay algunas que se pueden hacer en cualquier momento: media hora de adoración frente al Santísimo, rezar el Vía Crucis, rezar el rosario en familia o en comunidad, leer la Biblia.
We must distinguish between guilt and sorrow. When we sin, that is, when we do wrong against God, the Church, ourselves and/or others, guilt is our responsibility. The penalty, on the other hand, is the consequence of that sin. In confession, God erases the guilt of our sins and part of the penalty that we should serve after death. Throughout life and depending on our sins, there always remains a part of the penalty to be expiated, that penalty that cannot be erased by confession.
You can receive one plenary indulgence per day and ask for it for your soul or for a deceased person.
La Iglesia también permite a los católicos ganar una indulgencia plenaria para las almas familiares o seres queridos que se encuentran en el purgatorio. Puedes ofrecer por un difunto siguiendo los siguientes pasos:
You cannot offer your indulgence for someone who is still alive, even if they are sickfor your time is not up.
Si, durante la última semana de la cuaresma, se puede obtener indulgencia plenaria realizando los actos antes nombrados. Y además realizando diferentes obras enriquecida, solo disponibles durante la Semana Santa:
There are also plenary indulgences for specific moments as happened in the year of faith, where one could visit a Papal Basilica and visit a baptistery or the Jubilee year of mercy, where by performing works of piety, mercy or penance one gained an indulgence.
Hoy en día y durante la pandemia del coronavirus, el Santo Padre anunció el 20 de marzo tres indulgencias plenarias especiales para las personas infectadas con COVID-19 y para quienes las cuidan, incluidos los familiares y el personal médico, y para todos los que rezan por ellos.
The Apostolic Penitentiary also reminds the faithful of the possibility of collective absolution in this time of health emergency. Different forms of plenary indulgence can be obtained:
It can be obtained by:
Esta primera indulgencia plenaria puede ser obtenida por los mencionados anteriormente que, con un espíritu desprendido de todo pecado, ofrecen esta prueba en un espíritu de fe en Dios y caridad hacia sus hermanos y hermanas, y con la voluntad de cumplir las condiciones habituales (confesión sacramental, Comunión Eucarística y oración por las intenciones del Santo Padre) lo antes posible, ya sea, que se unen espiritualmente a la celebración de la Santa Misa a través de los medios de comunicación, rezan el Santo Rosario, el Vía Crucis, Credo, el Padre Nuestro y hacen una invocación piadosa a la Santísima Virgen María.
A second plenary indulgence is available to all the faithful for the duration of the current pandemic under the same conditions, i.e., with the willingness to obtain sacramental absolution, receive Holy Communion and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father as soon as possible.
This second plenary can be obtained by whom:
Third
A third plenary indulgence is available to the faithful on the verge of death. The dying faithful can receive the indulgence if they are properly disposed, that is, have a spirit detached from all sin. In this case, the Church supplements the three usual conditions required (confession, Holy Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father). The use of the crucifix or cross is recommended for this indulgence.
As we see it is not a difficult task to attain plenary indulgence, this is the key to Heaven. Get going and try to get yours today.
On March 12, 1742 Benedict XIV granted plenary indulgence to the medal of St. Benedict if the person fulfills the following conditions:
The medal of St. Benedict is recognized because today it bears his name, and contains on both sides several symbols to which power over evil is attributed.
Today it is believed that the symbolism of the medal is due to a particular moment in the life of the saint. Benedict was living as a hermit in a cave. He was famous for his holiness, so a religious community asked him to take over as Abbot. But some monks did not agree with the discipline he demanded of them. So they tried to kill him with poisoned bread and wine. But St. Benedict made the sign of the cross over these things and knew they were poisoned.
On March 12, 1742, Benedict XIV granted a plenary indulgence to the medal of St. Benedict if the person complies with the following conditions aforementioned conditions and during major holidays
The great feasts established to obtain this grace are:
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary regarding the granting of special indulgences to the faithful in the current pandemic situation, 20.03.2020
