November is the month of the faithful departed. Every year the Church makes available special ways of gaining the gift of the plenary indulgence for those who have died. They gain this grace through our intercession, that is, through our labors for them. There are two ways this special grace may be gained:

1. by visiting a cemetery during the first week of November (Nov. 1–8), or
2. by visiting a church on All Souls Day (November 2).

What is unique about these plenary indulgences, is that they can be applied only to someone who has died.

Because of Covid, the Vatican has extended the time when these indulgences can be gained; this year, either of the plenary indulgences for the faithful departed may be gained on any day during November. Only one plenary indulgence may be gained each day.

The usual conditions apply: receive the sacrament of confession (within one week of gaining the indulgence); receive Holy Communion (must be received on the day the indulgence is gained); pray for the Holy Father (for example, one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary”); and make an act of detachment from all sin, even venial sin.

The usual conditions can be satisfied either before or after completing the particular work of the indulgence. That is, visiting the cemetery or a church and praying for the faithful departed can be any time of the day.

• No specific prayers are indicated when visiting a cemetery; it could simply be one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary”. However, other prayers may be appropriate. The deceased person you are praying for does not need to be buried in the cemetery you are visiting. However, it is a commendable practice to pray for a Poor Soul, that is, someone you do not know and has no one to pray for them.
• If you are visiting a church (any Catholic Church or chapel), the prescribed work is to pray one “Our Father” and recite the Creed.

By gaining a plenary indulgence for them, we release poor souls from purgatory and they enter the presence of God; in other words, we gain friends in heaven. Take the time this month to gain plenary indulgences for the faithful departed by visiting a cemetery or a church. This opportunity is available every day of November 2021. May the saints in heaven pray for us.

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The official Decree (PDF) includes instructions how the sick, the elderly and those unable to leave their homes can gain these grace.