Indulgences for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

All Souls’ Day and the Toties Quoties Indulgence

From noon on November 1 to midnight on November 2 (a span of 36 hours), the Catholic faithful, as often as they visit a church to pray for the faithful departed, and recite six times during each visit the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for the intentions of the Church, may gain a plenary indulgence applicable only to the souls in purgatory, under the usual conditions of:

Confession (within a week before or after)
Holy Communion (within the day before or up to a week after)

This plenary indulgence may also be gained from noon on the following Saturday to midnight on the following Sunday, but only by those who did not gain it on the preceding November 1 and 2. Note: When November 2 falls on a Sunday, All Souls’ Day is transferred to November 3 and the gaining of the Toties Quoties indulgence begins on Sunday, November 2, at noon, lasting all through the day until midnight on November 3.

Other Indulgences for the Month of November

Those who, within the octave of All Souls’ Day, visit the cemetery in a spirit of piety and devotion and pray, even only mentally, for the departed, may gain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions (confession, Communion, and an Our Father and a Hail Mary for the intentions of the Church (on each day of the octave, applicable only to the Holy Souls in purgatory.

Those who recite prayers or perform other devout exercises for the departed during this month may gain an indulgence of 3 years each day of the month, and a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions, if they perform these devotions daily for the entire month.

Those who during November take part in public services held in a church in intercession for the faithful departed may gain an indulgence of 7 years on each day of the month, and a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions if they do so on at least 15 days.

Indulgences during Other Times of the Year

The Catholic faithful who devoutly offer daily prayers for the souls of the faithful for seven or nine consecutive days may gain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions. An indulgence of 3 years may be gained each day that one recites these prayers.

Those who visit the cemetery and pray for the departed may gain an indulgence of 7 years on any day of the year, applicable only to the departed.

Gregorian Masses

It was revealed to Pope St. Gregory the Great that the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on thirty consecutive days has a special efficacy in releasing a soul from purgatory. Although each Mass in itself is infinite, and hence capable of releasing all the souls from purgatory, it is known only to God how much of that infinite amount of grace is actually applied. Hence, the more Masses offered for a soul in purgatory, the more quickly will that person be released from its fiery punishment.

According to a Jan. 14, 1889, decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, the Gregorian Masses must be offered for one, and not for several deceased persons. The priest who accepts the stipend for the Gregorian Masses is strictly bound to make sure that there is no interruption in the 30-day series. If for some reason he cannot offer the Mass for that intention on a particular day, he must ask another priest to say the Mass so that the series remains continuous.

The usual stipend for the Gregorian Mass series is $650.

Back to top