- What is an indulgence?
An indulgence is the taking away of all or part of the temporal punishment due to sin.
2. What is temporal punishment due to sin?
Even though forgiveness of sins frees us from the penalty of eternal punishment in hell, divine justice requires some punishment in this life in reparation for our forgiven sins.
We are subject to this purifying punishment either in this life or in Purgatory. An indulgence is a remission of all or some of that debt of temporal punishment. It is given as a spiritual favor for some prayer or good work.
3. What do you have to do to gain an indulgence?
You have to —
a) be free from mortal sin;
b) say the paryer or do the work in which the indulgence is attached;
c) have the intention of gaining the indulgence, and
d) fulfill all the conditions laid down by the Church for each indulgence
4. What is a plenary indulgence?
One that remits all temporal punishment
5. What is a partial indulgence?
One that remits some of the temporal punishment.
6. What are some of the prayers and good works for which the Church grants an indulgence?
Making a sign of the cross, praying the Rosary, using holy water, making the Way of the Cross.
Cf., A Catechism for Adults, p 81, By Rev Wm Cogan, revised edition 2000 A.D., Aurora, Illinois.
Cogan Productions published iin accord with The Catechism of the Catholic Church — “Indulgences” CCC #1422-1498