The first week of November is dedicated in a special way to remembering the dead, and especially the poor souls in Purgatory. There are plenty of opportunities to seek plenary indulgences especially for the poor souls. We should take special advantage of this time, perchance to bring eternal peace and joy to suffering souls.
Catholics can do more than simply say, “Rest in peace.” We can take action. And to do so is a noble act of charity and mercy.
From the Enchiridion of Indulgences:
1-8 Nov.: Visit a cemetery
An indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed.
The indulgence is plenary each day from the 1st to the 8th of November; on other days of the year it is partial.
2 Nov.: Visit a church or oratory
A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who on the day dedicated to the Commemoration of all the faithful departed, piously visit a church, a public oratory or — for those entitled to use it — a semipublic oratory.
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In visiting the church or oratory, it is required, according to Norm 16 of the same Apostolic Constitution, that “one Our Father and the Creed be recited.”
5 Nov.: First Thursday during the Year for Priests. See this post for more information.
And for more information on indulgences in general, see this post! Recall that there are special conditions to receive a plenary indulgence (if these are not fulfilled, the indulgence will be partial). Also, it is possible to obtain only one plenary indulgence per day, but if we all unite our efforts, we can make a huge difference!
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28 October 2009 at 7:31 PM
saintos
As our Associate Priest would say, “Tis a good and holy thing.”
28 October 2009 at 7:36 PM
Lexington
During the Month of All Souls, please also remember the prayer of Saint Gertrude the Great, which was given to her by Our Lord:
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son Jesus Christ, in union with the most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, said throughout the world today, for all the holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home, and within my family.
It is piously recited to release souls in Purgatory.
Also, as a side note; I am very glad you are doing so much better!
30 October 2009 at 9:07 AM
Liz
I think I know things and then I visit various sites and realize how much it is that I do NOT know. (Or I talk with someone who knows a whole lot more than I do! When my MIL was dying, a friend talked about how she’d pray for my MIL and pray that she — my MIL I mean — would understand what her suffering was about. What? I said — why should she have to suffer? And my friend gave me such a good explanation. Gave me a whole new slant on the Catholic way, I must say.) I feel much the same way about the book “Animals in Heaven? Catholics Want to Know!” by Susi Pittman. It’s not just about animals (she’s an animal activist), it’s also about the tenets of Catholic faith on the subject of life beyond this world for animals and why Catholics may or may not believe in such. There are good stories about saints, and even a call to action for all Catholics to be stewards of creation. Thought provoking — and if you love animals, this is a natural!
7 November 2009 at 3:31 PM
JoAnn
Question???
If you miss the exact day that you are to do the indulgance is it acceotable to do the pray and action on another day of this special week? I missed doing the requested prayers on Nov. 2nd.
7 November 2009 at 10:55 PM
Practicing Catholic
Some plenary indulgences are attached to a specific day, so the indulgenced works must be done on that day.
But there are ways to obtain plenary indulgences every single day. Not just on special days or during special weeks. The only thing special about this week is that plenary indulgences were available for works that ordinarily don’t have plenary indulgences attached.
There are 4 acts that always carry plenary indulgences: praying the Rosary in a church, Eucharistic adoration for at least 30 minutes, reading and meditating upon Scripture for at least 30 minutes, and the Way of the Cross.
Here’s a good summary of plenary indulgences. The links have further details for each.