November is the month dedicated to the holy souls, and Holy Mother Church offers us two wonderful opportunities to gain special plenary indulgences for them during the first eight days of this month. Read on to find out more!
You can gain a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, every day during the Octave of All Saints (November 1st – 8th) by devoutly visiting a cemetery and praying, even just mentally, for the faithful departed.
You can also gain a plenary indulgence, again only applicable to the holy souls, on All Souls Day (November 2nd) by visiting a church or oratory and reciting an Our Father and Creed.
In addition, the usual conditions for a plenary indulgence apply:
- Sacramental confession;
- Holy Communion;
- Prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father;
- Detachment from sin, even venial sin.
The confession may be completed within a few weeks before or after the indulgenced work and can count for a number of plenary indulgences.
Holy Communion and the prayers for the Holy Father must be done for each work, and while the Church tells us that it is fitting that these conditions be fulfilled on the day of the work, they can be fulfilled several days before or after.
The entire month of November is a special time to pray and sacrifice for the souls in purgatory. Let us especially remember the souls of our loved ones and those who have no one to pray for them. Here are some other excellent works you can do that are highly beneficial to them:
- Offer your intentions at Mass and/or your Holy Communion for them
- Have Masses said at your parish for them
- Pray the Rosary
- Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
- Offer fasting and other sacrifices, even small ones, for them
- Pray the Prayer of St. Gertrude for the holy souls
- Pray this short prayer often: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace, forever and ever. Amen.
