N.B. -- Too much stress cannot be laid on the importance of carefully noting and exactly fulfilling all that may be required for gaining a particular Indulgence. If there is any deviation, even though unintentional, from the strict letter of the specified conditions, no Indulgence can be gained.
To gain the full benefit of a Plenary Indulgence, it is necessary to have a true hatred of every, even venial, sin committed, and to be wholly free from all voluntary attachment to what is sinful.
NOTE. In the case of gaining Indulgences for the dead, the necessity of a state of grace is questioned by some theologians, unless it is specified or implied in the Grant; and therefore, in this particular case, the necessity cannot be insisted upon as absolutely certain; nevertheless, in practice, a state of grace should always be considered of the first importance, the opinion above quoted being" only probable.
The following decisions of the Congregations of Indulgences should be carefully noted:
DECISIONS OF THE SACRED CONGREGATION OF INDULGENCES
STATE OF GRACE
1. A state of grace ought to precede everything, but in case it should not, it must at least be attained before the last of the acts prescribed for the Indulgence is completed. (Raccolta, p. vii.)
2. Although for Partial Indulgences Confession is not usually required as a condition, the usual formula being, "with at least a contrite heart," in case of conscious mortal sin it should precede the other acts; but in case of difficulty in getting to confession an act of true contrition with a firm purpose of confessing suffices. (December 17, 1870.) Under ordinary circumstances, the formula above quoted implies nothing more than a state of grace.
INTENTION
3. A general intention of gaining all Indulgences is sufficient. It should be renewed from time to time, say every morning. (Raccolta, p. viii.)
4. By a further general intention all, or by a particular intention any, Indulgences may be applied to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, either to the Holy Souls in general, or to individual souls (Ib. ) N.B. Indulgences to be applicable to the holy souls require a positive declaration to that effect in the grant. (Cf, Instruction 8, p. i.)
