All Souls Day

Plenary Indulgence

A Plenary Indulgence is granted, under the normal conditions, for anyone who visits any cemetery and prays for the dead from November 1-8. One plenary indulgence can be gained on each of these days applicable to a soul in purgatory.

What is a Plenary Indulgence?

A Plenary Indulgence removes all temporal punishment due to forgiven sin (Temporal punishment is the making up for sin to which we are obliged after we are forgiven). A Plenary Indulgence can be applied to one’s self or to anyone who is deceased. A Plenary Indulgence can be gained once per day.

How do I obtain a Plenary Indulgence this November?

One must visit any cemetery and pray for the dead from November 1-8. One plenary indulgence can be gained on each of these days applicable to a soul in purgatory.

One must also complete all three of the normal conditions for gaining any Plenary Indulgence:
1. Sacramental Confession within 20 days of All Souls Day, Nov. 2
2. Eucharistic Communion
3. Prayers for the Pope’s Intention.

On “All Souls Day, we remember in prayer all our brothers and sisters who live in this state of purification. The beautiful and profound doctrine of the communion of saints reminds us of our ecclesial solidarity, not only with the saints in heaven, but also with the souls in purgatory. We are all part of the Mystical Body of Christ: the saints in heaven, the souls in purgatory and we the pilgrim Church on earth. How does this solidarity work? Through prayer and love! We can offer up prayers and good works on behalf of our brothers and sisters in purgatory. Indeed, we have a holy obligation to pray for the dead who may need final purification in order to enter the joy of heaven. The Church has always recommended prayers for the dead.” -Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades