How to get a plenary indulgence

Indulgences help us live our Christian lives

By: Juan B

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Updated: December 9, 2025

*Information from Manual of Indulgences from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

Indulgences are a gift from God given through the Church. Our Church teaches that the Sacrament of Confession forgives our mortal sins, but also that these sins still carry punishment in this life and in purgatory (Catechism 1471-1473). A plenary indulgence removes this punishment.

How to gain an indulgence
Please be sure to review these requirements and other info

1. Choose an activity listed below
2. Before starting this activity, internally in your mind declare the intention to complete this act for a plenary indulgence
3. Complete activity
4. Within 20 days before or after, you must complete a sacramental confession (can be used for multiple plenary indulgences)
5. Within 20 days before or after, you must receive Holy Communion (one required for each plenary indulgence)
6. Pray one Our Father and one Hail Mary for the Pope’s intentions (one Our Father and one Hail Mary required for each plenary indulgence)

Activities (*there are other approved options not listed here)
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1. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for at least 30 minutes
2. Completing the Stations of the Cross
3. Saying the Rosary in a Church/oratory, or in a family, or a gathering of the faithful for good purpose
4. Visiting a minor basilica on a day of your choosing (choosing is allowed only once per year)
5. Devout reading or listening of Sacred Scripture for at least 30 minutes

Requirements
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1. You must be baptized, not excommunicated, and in a state of grace when completing the activity
2. You must have no attachment to sin, even venial sin to get a plenary (full) indulgence. If attachment still exists, forgiveness will be partial (as determined by God, but still worth attempting)
3. Only one plenary indulgence can be gained per day

Other info
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1. Plenary indulgences can also be offered for souls of the deceased—a plenary indulgence for a soul in purgatory releases them from purgatory to Heaven
2. For additional reading, please see Manual of Indulgences from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), ISBN-13 : 978-1574554748

Citations:
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USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops), translator. Manual of Indulgences. By Apostolic Penitentiary (of the Vatican), 1999.