To gain a Plenary Indulgence (only one per day applicable for a departed soul), the faithful must be in the state of grace, and the following conditions must accompany the prescribed act:
- State of grace at least when performing the indulgenced act.
- Complete detachment from sin, even venial sin.
- Receive the sacrament of confession within 20 days of the act, one confession covers many indulgences.
- Receive the Holy Eucharist within 20 days of the indulgenced act, but one Communion per indulgence.
- Recite prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father (one Our Father and one Hail Mary is suggested as a minimum, but any other additional prayers may be added).
There are many indulgences, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, that can be obtained during the month of November. From the fourth edition of the Enchiridion of Indulgences, 1999:
- A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who:
- On any and each day from November 1 to 8, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only mentally, for the departed.
- On All Souls’ Day (or, according to the judgment of the ordinary, on the Sunday preceding or following it, or on the solemnity of All Saints), devoutly visit a church or an oratory and recite an Our Father and the Creed.