Indulgences Obtainable for the Souls in Purgatory: All Souls' Day Through November 8th

A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in Purgatory is granted to the faithful who devoutly visit a church or oratory on All Souls Day (November 2nd).

Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence on All Souls Day:

◗ Visit a church and pray for souls in Purgatory.
◗ Say one "Our Father" and the "Apostles Creed" in the visit to the church.
◗ Say one "Our Father" and one "Hail Mary" for the Pope’s intentions (those intentions designated by the Holy Father each month).
◗ Worthily receive Holy Communion (ideally on the same day).
◗ Make a sacramental confession within 20 days of All Souls Day.
◗ For a plenary indulgence, be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin (or the indulgence is partial, not plenary).

You may gain one plenary indulgence a day.

These partial indulgences are applicable only to the souls in Purgatory:

◗ A partial indulgence may be obtained by devoutly visiting a cemetery and praying for the departed, even if the prayer is only mental. One may obtain a plenary indulgence by visiting a cemetery each day between November 1st - 8th.

◗ A partial indulgence may be obtained when the Eternal Rest (Requiem aeternam) is prayed. This may be recited throughout the year, but especially during the month of November:

Requiem aeternam dona ei (eis), Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei (eis). Requiescat (-ant) in pace Amen.

Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

From the Enchiridion of Indulgences.

Some families add the second half of the "Eternal Rest" prayer to the "Prayer Before Meals":

Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from Thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord, Amen. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Pray for the faithful departed throughout the year, not just during November. After these souls in Purgatory are in Heaven, they will intercede on our behalf.

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