Plenary Indulgences

The Latest

A member of the maintenance crew at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., places a seal on the Holy Door at the basilica after Archbishop Timothy Broglio blessed the seal and doors on Dec. 3, 2023.

Archbishop Broglio sealed the Holy Door at the National Shrine. What is a Holy Door?

Dec 4, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The doors at the entrance to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., will... Read more

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Catholics can receive a plenary indulgence by praying before a Nativity scene 

Nov 25, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

From Dec. 8 until Feb. 2, Catholics will be able to receive a plenary indulgence by praying before a Nativity... Read more

St. Francis of Assisi.

On Aug. 2, you can get this St. Francis-themed indulgence

Jul 28, 2023

By Carl Bunderson

The feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula and its associated indulgence is a way to focus on... Read more

The lunette of a side door depicting St. Thomas Aquinas, detail of the facade of the Church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, Italy.

Vatican grants plenary indulgence for St. Thomas Aquinas jubilee celebrations

Jul 15, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The indulgence can be obtained by making a pilgrimage to a holy site connected to the Dominican Order to take... Read more

Original painting of the Divine Mercy, by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski in 1934. Wikimedia Commons 4.0.

Divine Mercy Sunday 2023: Here’s how to obtain a plenary indulgence

Apr 15, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

St. John Paul II and St. Maria Faustina Kowalska both became saints and they were both instrumental in the institution... Read more

Adoration.

Singing this song on Holy Thursday can purify your soul (and save you time in purgatory)

Apr 6, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The “Tantum Ergo” is the last two verses of a Latin hymn written by St. Thomas Aquinas. Read more

Holy Week

How to obtain a plenary indulgence during Holy Week 2023

Apr 3, 2023

By CNA Staff

A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus, Mary, and all the... Read more

Pope Francis opens the Holy Door in L'Aquila, Italy on Aug. 28, 2022.

Pope Francis becomes first pope in more than 700 years to open the Holy Door in L’Aquila

Aug 28, 2022

By Courtney Mares

During a trip to the Italian city of L’Aquila, Pope Francis participated in a centuries-old tradition established by Pope Celestine... Read more

Pope Celestine V was canonized in 1313 and since 1327 has been buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio in L'Aquila.

Saint Celestine V and the Catholic Church's first jubilee

Aug 21, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Peter of Morrone was an unusual choice for pope: He was not a cardinal but a hermit living in a... Read more

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Here’s how to receive a plenary indulgence July 24 on the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Jul 23, 2022

By Maisy Sullivan

All it takes is a phone call, together with confession, Holy Communion, and prayer. Read more

Pope Francis greets the elderly priest-residents of Casa San Gaetano in Rome on June 17, 2016.

Vatican offers plenary indulgence for visiting the elderly on Grandparents’ Day

May 30, 2022

By CNA Staff

The 2nd World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will take place on July 24. Read more

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How to get a plenary indulgence any day this November 2021

Nov 2, 2021

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Did you know that you can get a plenary indulgence any day this November? It’s true. The Vatican has decided... Read more

Cardinale Zuppi prays at a cemetery in San Girolamo della Certosa.

Catholics can get an indulgence for the dead by praying at a cemetery any day this November

Oct 28, 2021

By Courtney Mares

A plenary indulgence remits all temporal punishment due to sin. Read more

The 45th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., Jan. 19, 2018.

Pope Francis grants plenary indulgence for participants in virtual March For Life

Jan 28, 2021

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis has granted a plenary indulgence for those who take part in this year’s March for Life, an annual... Read more

The Childhood of Christ, by  Gerard van Honthorst  (1592–1656). Public domain.

15 ways to gain an indulgence in the Year of St. Joseph

Dec 10, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Until December 2021, there are many new ways that Catholics can receive an indulgence, including entrusting their daily work to... Read more

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe inside the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City on Feb. 15, 2016.

Pope Francis grants plenary indulgence to Catholics marking Guadalupe feast at home

Dec 10, 2020

Pope Francis has granted a plenary indulgence to Catholics celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at home this... Read more

The Teutonic Cemetery, a burial site adjacent to St. Peter's Basilica, on All Soul's Day, Nov. 2, 2017.

Vatican extends plenary indulgence for the dead throughout November

Oct 23, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican has extended the availability of certain plenary indulgences for the souls in Purgatory, amid the coronavirus pandemic and... Read more

Pope Francis waves from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square during an Angelus address.

Pope Francis urges Catholics to follow ‘God’s logic’

Aug 2, 2020

Pope Francis urged Catholics Sunday to follow “God’s logic” by taking responsibility for the welfare of others.  Read more

St. Peter's Basilica. CNA file photo.

Holy See grants indulgence to coronavirus patients and Catholics who pray for them

Mar 20, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary has granted a plenary indulgence for people with COVID-19 and for those who care for them,... Read more

Vatican official highlights confession on All Saints, All Souls Day

Oct 31, 2019

It is fitting for Catholics to go to confession on All Saints Day and All Souls Day, and to pray... Read more