Plenary Indulgences: If Jesus Fully Atoned, Why Do We Have Them? | Fr. Chris Alar, MIC
Plenary Indulgences: If Jesus Fully Atoned, Why Do We Have Them? | Fr. Chris Alar, MIC
In this teaching, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, explains the truth and beauty of plenary indulgences. A good father forgives his child, but forgiveness does not always remove every consequence of what was done. In the same way, God truly forgives our sins through Confession, yet the wounds caused by sin may still need purification and reparation. Purgatory is not simply about suffering for our sins; it is a merciful purification that prepares the soul for the fullness of Heaven. Fr. Chris reminds us that indulgences have often been misunderstood. They are not something we buy or a way to purchase forgiveness. Plenary indulgences are graces given through the Church, flowing from the infinite merits of Jesus Christ and the Communion of Saints, to help repair the temporal effects of sins that have already been forgiven.
Fr. Chris Alar teaches that we can obtain a plenary indulgence by completing the indulgenced work and fulfilling the Church’s conditions: sacramental Confession, receiving Holy Communion, praying for the intentions of the Holy Father, and having complete detachment from sin, even venial sin. During the special days established by the Church, we can also visit a cemetery and pray for the faithful departed, offering the indulgence for a soul in Purgatory. Pray for that soul and ask for God’s mercy. When we pray for the dead, we live the beautiful reality of the Communion of Saints: we help souls through our prayers, and those who reach Heaven can intercede for us. As Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, emphasizes, plenary indulgences are an extraordinary gift of God’s mercy and a powerful way to love our brothers and sisters even beyond death.
Readings for November 6th 2026: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110626.cfm
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Fr. Chris Alar teaches that we can obtain a plenary indulgence by completing the indulgenced work and fulfilling the Church’s conditions: sacramental Confession, receiving Holy Communion, praying for the intentions of the Holy Father, and having complete detachment from sin, even venial sin. During the special days established by the Church, we can also visit a cemetery and pray for the faithful departed, offering the indulgence for a soul in Purgatory. Pray for that soul and ask for God’s mercy. When we pray for the dead, we live the beautiful reality of the Communion of Saints: we help souls through our prayers, and those who reach Heaven can intercede for us. As Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, emphasizes, plenary indulgences are an extraordinary gift of God’s mercy and a powerful way to love our brothers and sisters even beyond death.
Readings for November 6th 2026: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110626.cfm
© 2026 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. All rights reserved.
Fair Use Policy: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/house/fair-use-policy
Enroll your departed loved ones to be remembered in our Masses for All Souls throughout the month of November:
https://shrineofdivinemercy.org/novenas/form?nid=35
Follow Us on Social Media!
📸 Instagram: / thedivinemercy
🔵 Facebook: / divinemercyofficial
【ꚠ】TikTok: / marianfathers
Download our AD FREE app Divine Mercy Plus: https://divinemercyplus.org/our-apps
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