The Catholic Church grants a plenary indulgence for souls in purgatory—especially from 1–8 November—when the faithful, in a state of grace, visit a cemetery or church and pray (e.g., the Our Father and Creed), along with confession, Holy Communion, detachment from sin, and prayers for the Pope.
What an Indulgence Is
A plenary indulgence removes all temporal punishment due to sin for one soul in purgatory. A partial indulgence removes part of it. These may be offered for the deceased.
To gain a plenary indulgence, the Church requires:
- State of grace at least during the indulgenced act.
- Complete detachment from all sin, even venial.
- Confession within about 20 days before or after.
- Holy Communion within the same timeframe.
- Prayers for the Pope’s intentions (commonly an Our Father and Hail Mary).
- Indulgenced act performed as specified.