1. What is an indulgence?
Indulgence is the remission before God of the temporal penalty due for sins whose fault is already forgiven by the sacrament of Confession.
2. Why does the Church give us indulgences?
The Church, as minister of redemption, authoritatively distributes and applies the treasure of the satisfactions and merits of Christ and of the saints.
3. How are indulgences earned?
To be able to earn indulgences, one must be baptized, not excommunicated and in a state of grace, and perform the prescribed works.
4. What works are prescribed to earn an indulgence?
The prescribed works are to pray the Credo, a Pater, an Ave for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff, to go to confession and to receive communion within the eight days preceding or following.
5. Who are indulgences intended for?
Any devotee who earns an indulgence can apply it to themselves or to the deceased by mode of suffrage, partial or full indulgences.
6. What are the indulgences that we can earn especially in the Militia Immaculatæ?
According to the Brief of Pope Pius XI dated December 18, 1926, the members of the Militia Immaculatae can obtain a plenary indulgence on the following days:
- the day of their enrollment in the MI
- the anniversary of the foundation of the MI (October 16)
- the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
- the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25)
- the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11)
- the anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady at Fatima (May 13)
- the Feast of St Francis of Assisi (October 4)
- the Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (November 27).
Besides the usual conditions for receiving a plenary indulgence (sacramental Confession within eight days, reception of Holy Communion, prayer for the intentions of the Pope, freedom from attachment to any sin), one must renew his promise to adhere to the Statues of the MI and to keep them faithfully.
