ALL SOULS: There are several easy ways to pray for the Souls of the Faithful Departed in the first week of November. The Manual of Indulgences offers several options ( http://www.catholic.org/prayers/indulgw.php ), and these are summarized below. Note that one may gain a plenary indulgence by visiting a cemetery between Nov. 1st – 8th. We have a whole week to pray for our loved ones departed!
- Visit to a Cemetery. Only applicable to the souls in Purgatory when one devoutly visits and prays for the departed. A PLENARY INDULGENCE is bestowed for this work each day between November 1 and November 8.
- “Eternal Rest.” A partial indulgence only to the souls in purgatory. “Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.”
- Visit to a Church or Oratory on All Souls Day. PLENARY INDULGENCE. A plenary indulgence, applicable ONLY to the souls in purgatory, may be obtained by those who, on All Souls Day, piously visit a church, public oratory, or -for those entitled to use it, a semi public oratory. It may be acquired either on the day designated as All Souls Day or, with the consent of the bishop, on the preceding or following Sundayor the feast of All Saints. On visiting the church or oratory it is required that one Our Father and the Creed be recited.