How to obtain a Plenary Indulgence?

“What are we going to do in a pilgrimage to a Jubilee Church? Do we have to say a certain prayer or just enter into the Holy Door? What are the general and specific conditions of obtaining a Plenary Indulgence?”

These are some of the questions I heard people asking as I serve in the few Masses during the opening of the Holy Door of the Jubilee churches in the Archdiocese of Davao. The 7 churches identified by the Archbishop and approved by the Pope are: San Pedro Cathedral, Sto. Rosario, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Calinan, St. Jude Shrine, Sta. Ana Shrine, St. James and Immaculate Conception in Penaplata.

In one of his homilies during the opening of the Jubilee Door, Archbishop Valles recalled that in discussing the plan to celebrate the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines, they thought of the traditional way of declaring only one Jubilee Church. But because of the pandemic, the Bishops decided to ask the Holy Father to have a number of “Churches”, instead of only one Church, to have a Holy Door, which is customary in Church Jubilees, and a Plenary Indulgence. These three items, according to the Archbishop, are ancient customs. Fortunately, the Holy Father approved these three requested conditions. Archbishop Valles added that a Plenary Indulgence is given to a person who makes a pilgrimage to a Jubilee Church and who sincerely and interiorly makes an act of faith.

The general conditions of obtaining a Plenary Indulgence are: first, Sacramental Confession; second, Eucharistic Communion; and third, Prayer for the Intention of the Holy Father. The specific conditions to obtain a Plenary Indulgence are: to take part in the solemn rites by attending the Holy Mass, if available, or at least spend a suitable period of time to pray with the following intention: a) for the fidelity of the Filipino people to their Christian calling; b) for the increase of priestly and religious vocations; and c) for the defense of the family. After which, one may conclude the prayer with: a) the Lord’s Prayer; b) the profession of faith; and an invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To clarify this more, the Archdiocese of Davao will soon release a Primer on Indulgences/Jubilee Door. In this Primer, the General and Specific conditions of obtaining a Plenary Indulgence will be laid down. (JEB)