CANON LAW ON ACQUIRING INDULGENCES

 A MESSAGE FOR SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY

Can. 925:  In order that a person may be capable of gaining indulgences for himself, he must be baptized, not excommunicated, in the state of grace at least at the end of the prescribed works, and the subject of the grantor.  Moreover, in order that one who is capable may actually gain the indulgences, he must have at least a general intention of acquiring them and must fulfil the prescribed works at the appointed time and in an appropriate manner according to the general sense of the grant.

Can. 926:  A plenary indulgence is understood to be so granted that if one should be unable to gain it fully, he will nevertheless gain it partially, in keeping with the disposition that he has.

Can. 926:  A plenary indulgence, unless it be otherwise expressly stated, can be gained only once a day, even though the prescribed work be performed several times.  A partial indulgence, unless the contrary be expressly stated, can be gained frequently throughout the day, whenever the prescribed work is repeated.

Can 930:  No one gaining an indulgence can apply it to others who are still living; but all indulgences granted by the Roman Pontiff, unless the contrary is evident, are applicable to the souls in purgatory.

Can 931:  The confession which may be required for gaining any particular indulgences can be made within the eight days which immediately precede the day to which the indulgences are appointed; and the Communion may take place on the previous day; or again both conditions may be satisfied within the following eight days.  The faithful who are accustomed, unless lawfully hindered, to approach the sacrament of penance at least twice a month, or to receive Holy Communion in the state of grace and with a right and devout intention daily, although they may abstain from it once or twice during the week, can gain all indulgences, even without the actual confession which would otherwise be necessary for gaining them.

Can 932:  An indulgence cannot be gained by a work to which one is already bound in law or precept, unless it is expressly stated otherwise in the grant of the same; one, however, who performs a work imposed upon him as a sacramental penance and enriched with indulgences, may at one and the same time fulfil his penance and gain the indulgences.

Can 934:  If, in order to gain certain indulgences, prayer in general according to the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff be prescribed, merely mental prayer does not suffice; the vocal prayer, however, may be selected at the choice of the faithful, unless a particular prayer is assigned.  If a particular prayer should be assigned, the indulgences can be gained in whatever language it may be recited.. but the indulgences cease entirely if there has been any addition, omission, or interpolation.  To gain the indulgences it is sufficient to recite the prayer alternately with a companion, or to follow it in one’s mind while it is being recited by another.