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October 28, 2021

Vatican extends traditional All Souls' Day indulgences

A family prays next to a relative's grave in a cemetery during All Souls' Day in Khartoum, Sudan, in this Nov. 11, 2014, file photo. With the continuing pandemic, the Vatican has again extended throughout all of November the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence for visiting a cemetery to pray for the dead.

VATICAN CITY -- With the COVID-19 pandemic still underway and with restrictions on gatherings still in place in some countries, the Vatican has again extended the period of time when people can earn a plenary indulgence for visiting a cemetery and praying for the souls of the faithful in purgatory.

Published in Faith
October 23, 2020

Vatican extends time to obtain full indulgences for souls in purgatory

Women are pictured in a file photo praying on All Souls' Day, Nov. 2, at a cemetery in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic response measures restrict most gatherings, the Vatican has extended the usual plenary indulgence to souls in purgatory from just the first week in November to include the entire month.

VATICAN CITY -- Plenary or full indulgences traditionally obtained during the first week of November for the souls of the faithful in purgatory can now be gained throughout the entire month of November, the Vatican said.

Published in Vatican
May 25, 2012

Catholics can gain indulgence by praying for families, going to Milan

This is the logo for the 2012 World Meeting of Families in Milan, Italy, May 30-June 3. Pope Benedict XVI, who will attend the event for three days, is expected to use the occasion to bolster the importance of marriage and family built on Christian values.

VATICAN CITY - Catholics who dedicate themselves to special prayers and efforts to promote the holiness of Christian families can receive special indulgences during the World Meeting of Families May 30-June 2 in Milan.

Pope Benedict XVI authorized the indulgences for those who, "truly repentant and motivated by charity, dedicate themselves to the sanctification of the family," said a decree published May 25 by Cardinal Manuel Monteiro de Castro, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, which deals with indulgences.

Published in Vatican