Sunday, November 2, is All Souls Day, the commemoration of all the faithful departed, when the Church especially emphasizes the need for prayers and good works for the dead. If we observe these guidelines, we the living can obtain graces for the souls in purgatory. These rules apply for All Souls’ Day and the week following.
All Souls’ Day Indulgence
A plenary (“full”) indulgence, which is applicable only to the souls in Purgatory, is granted to the Christian faithful who devoutly visit a church or an oratory on (November 2nd,) All Souls Day.
Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence on All Souls Day:
1. Visit a church and pray for the souls in Purgatory.
2. Say one “Our Father” and the “Apostles Creed” in the visit to the church.
3. Say one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary” for the Holy Father’s intentions (that is, the intentions designated by the Holy Father each month).
4. Worthily receive Holy Communion (on the day or soon thereafter).
5. Make a sacramental confession within 20 days of All Souls Day.
6. For a plenary indulgence, be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin (otherwise, the indulgence is partial, not plenary). N.B. a plenary indulgence may be gained only once on any day. However, a partial indulgence may be gained several times a day, unless something different is explicitly stated.
You can also gain a plenary indulgence once a day by visiting a cemetery each day between November 1 and 8, and praying for the faithful departed there. The columbarium in our Lower Church qualifies as a cemetery.
These indulgences are applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory under the usual conditions.
A partial indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, can be obtained when saying the “Eternal rest” prayer:
“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.
