Plenary Indulgences

What Are Plenary Indulgences?

In his proclamation of the Jubilee of 2025, Pope Francis announced an indulgence would be available to the faithful during the jubilee year. The indulgence, he explained, would be “a way of discovering the unlimited nature of God’s mercy.”

A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remove the temporal punishment due to sin. When we sin, we commit an offense against God, and while we receive forgiveness through the sacrament of reconciliation, the effects of that sin sometimes remain. A plenary indulgence heals that wound, removing all temporal punishment from that sin while a partial indulgence removes some temporal punishment.

How can we receive a Plenary Indulgence?

To receive a plenary indulgence, you must have the intention to gain the indulgence, be in a state of grace, and perform a prescribed work or action. (See below)

General conditions to receive a plenary indulgence include:

1. Receive the sacrament of confession (usually within seven days before or after performing the prescribed work).
2. Receive holy Communion (usually on the day of performing the prescribed work).
3. Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father (usually by reciting an Our Father and a Hail Mary).
4. Be completely detached from our sins (including venial sins).

Prescribed actions during the Jubilee of Hope

In his decree granting an indulgence during the Jubilee year, Pope Francis outlined several possible actions. You can read the decree here, but a summary of some of them is included below.

Undertake a pious pilgrimage

The faithful can obtain the jubilee indulgence by taking a pilgrimage to any sacred jubilee site. Those sites include the four major papal basilicas in Rome, Italy, (St. Peter's Basilica, Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Basilica of Saint Mary Major, and Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls) and three basilicas in the Holy Land, as well as all Catholic cathedrals and basilicas around the world and other churches as designated by diocesan bishops.

In the Diocese of Portland that includes the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, located at 307 Congress Street in Portland, and the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul, located at 122 Ash Street in Lewiston.

While at those sites, pilgrims must participate in Mass, a celebration of the Word of God, the Liturgy of the Hours, the Way of the Cross, the Marian Rosary, the recitation of the Akathist hymn, or a penitential celebration that ends with individual confessions.

Make a pious visit to a jubilee site

The faithful can obtain the jubilee indulgence if they devoutly visit any jubilee site, remain for a suitable period of time (at least 15 minutes), engage in eucharistic adoration and meditation concluding with the Our Father (for instance, before the tabernacle), recite the Profession of Faith (creed) in any legitimate form, and include invocations to Mary (such as the Hail Mary.)

In addition to the papal basilicas in Rome and the basilicas in Holy Land, those sites include all Catholic cathedrals and basilicas, and any church designated a jubilee site by a diocesan bishop. In the Diocese of Portland, that includes the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, located at 307 Congress Street in Portland, and the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul, located at 122 Ash Street in Lewiston.  See Cathedral Mass times / Basilica Mass times.

The U.S. Bishops have also established the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. as a pilgrimage site.

Perform a work of charity

In a special way "during the Holy Year, we are called to be tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind" (Spes non confundit, 10). Therefore, the indulgence is also linked to certain works of mercy and penance, which bear witness to the conversion undertaken. The faithful, following the example and mandate of Christ, are encouraged to carry out works of charity or mercy more frequently, especially in the service of those brothers and sisters who are burdened by various needs.

The faithful will also be able to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence if, with a devout spirit, they participate in popular missions, spiritual exercises, or formation activities on the documents of the Second Vatican Council and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, held in a church or other suitable place, according to the mind of the Holy Father.

Perform penitential acts

The faithful can offer acts of penance such as fasting, abstaining for at least one day from futile distractions (such as social media or television), donating "a proportionate sum of money to the poor," supporting religious or social works, especially in the defense of life in all phases, offering support to migrants, the elderly, the poor, and young people in difficulty, and volunteering in service to your community.

What if I am unable to take the above actions due to age or illness?

The faithful who are truly repentant of sin but who cannot participate in the various solemn celebrations, pilgrimages and pious visits for serious reasons (the elderly, the sick, prisoners, and those who, through their work in hospitals or other care facilities, provide continuous service to the sick), can obtain the Jubilee Indulgence, under the same conditions if, they are united in spirit with the faithful who are participating and if they recite the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any approved form, and other prayers in conformity with the objectives of the holy year.