All Souls’ Day Plenary Indulgence Extended

Specifically, for this year of 2020, due to the concerns related to the pandemic, the Holy See has extended the plenary indulgence connected with All Souls’ Day and the month of November for the souls in purgatory. (Decree, Apostolic Penitentiary, 22 October 2020).  They are as follows:

• On All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2nd), a plenary indulgence for the souls in purgatory can be gained by a member of the faithful if he or she devoutly visits a church or an oratory and prays an Our Father and the Creed. For 2020, the Holy See has allowed for this visit to be done even only mentally or spiritually if pandemic conditions make the visit unfeasible. In addition, the Holy See has extended this to be possible on any day throughout the month of November. The usual conditions below must also be done. 
• On the dates of November 1-8, a plenary indulgence for the souls in purgatory can be gained by a member of the faithful if he or she visits a cemetery, if only mentally, and prays for the souls of the deceased. For 2020, the Holy See has extended this to be possible on any day throughout the month of November. The usual conditions below must also be done. 
• The Holy See repeats the encouragement that all priests are strongly invited to celebrate three Masses on All Souls’ Day for the souls of the faithfully departed. (Pope Benedict XV, Apostolic Constitution Incruentum Altaris, 10 August 1915)  
• The usual conditions for gaining of a plenary indulgence are:
  • Performance of the prescribed work.
  • Detachment from all sin.
  • Sacramental confession within 20 days but because of the pandemic, as soon as possible is sufficient. (Decree, Apostolic Penitentiary, 19 March 2020)
  • Eucharistic communion within 20 days but because of the pandemic, as soon as possible is sufficient. (Decree, Apostolic Penitentiary, 19 March 2020). 
  • Prayers for the Holy Father.
  • Only one plenary indulgence can be gained per day.