Plenary Indulgence for the Faithful Departed – 1–8 November 2026

✝ PRAYER FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

Plenary Indulgence for the Departed

1–8 November 2026

The Solemnity of All Saints (1 November) and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, or All Souls' Day (2 November), remind us of the communion between the Church on earth and those who have gone before us. Prayer for the dead and the offering of an indulgence are expressions of Christian charity and hope.

What is a plenary indulgence?

A plenary indulgence is the complete remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. It does not replace sacramental Confession or the forgiveness of sins. From 1 to 8 November, the indulgence attached to visiting a cemetery may be applied only to the faithful departed.

Five conditions for gaining the indulgence

1. Visit a cemetery and pray for the deceased.

The prayer may be offered even silently, in your heart. Have the intention of gaining the indulgence for the departed.

2. Be in a state of grace and receive sacramental Confession.

Confession does not have to take place on the same day as the cemetery visit. One Confession can suffice for several plenary indulgences.

3. Receive Holy Communion.

A separate reception of Holy Communion is required for each plenary indulgence. Receiving Communion on the day of the cemetery visit is recommended.

4. Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.

For example, pray one Our Father and one Hail Mary. A separate prayer for the Pope's intentions is required for each indulgence.

5. Be completely detached from all sin, even venial sin.

This means sincerely rejecting attachment to sin and desiring to live in friendship with God.

Important: Ordinarily, only one plenary indulgence may be gained each day. From 1 to 8 November, each of these indulgences may be offered for the departed. Sacramental Confession may be made within an appropriate period before or after the indulgenced work (commonly described as about 20 days); Holy Communion and prayer for the Pope's intentions must be repeated for each indulgence.

A special opportunity on 2 November

On All Souls' Day, 2 November, a plenary indulgence for the departed may also be gained by devoutly visiting a church or oratory and praying the Our Father and the Creed there. The usual conditions also apply. Under the ordinary rules, this does not mean that two plenary indulgences can be gained on the same day.