Plenary indulgence can be obtained at revival

WASHINGTON, D.C. (USCCB) – Participants in the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in July, and Catholics throughout the U.S., have the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence by participating in the events of the eucharistic revival, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, announced April 17.

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and National Eucharistic Congress (July 17-21) are milestone moments in the U.S. bishops’ three-year Eucharistic Revival initiative. 

Archbishop Broglio requested the Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary – the office within the Roman Curia that is charged with the granting and use of indulgences as expressions of divine mercy – that a plenary indulgence be granted to Catholics who participate in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage July 17-21.

He also requested that he or another prelate be designated to impart the apostolic blessing with a plenary Indulgence to the Christian faithful present at the congress. Pope Francis approved the requests.

A plenary indulgence removes all temporal punishment due to a person’s sin.

The plenary indulgence will be granted to the Christian faithful who participate in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage at any point between May 17 and July 16. It will also be granted to the elderly, infirm and all those who cannot leave their homes for a serious reason and who participate in spirit with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, uniting their prayers, pains or inconveniences with Christ and the pilgrimage.

This indulgence is granted under the usual conditions of sacramental confession, eucharistic Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father. The faithful may also apply this indulgence through suffrage for the souls of the faithful departed in purgatory.

The Apostolic Penitentiary also requested that all priests who have been endowed with the appropriate faculties for hearing confessions present themselves willingly and generously in administering the sacrament of penance to all who participate in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.

The second decree authorized Archbishop Broglio – or another prelate of episcopal rank assigned by him – to impart the papal blessing with a plenary indulgence to the Christian faithful who participate in the National Eucharistic Congress, who are truly repentant, and who are motivated by charity. The usual conditions for indulgences – sacramental confession, eucharistic Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father – are also required.

Faithful individuals who, due to reasonable circumstances and with pious intention, have participated in the sacred rites and received the papal blessing through media communications, may also obtain a plenary indulgence.

The National Eucharistic Revival began on Corpus Christi Sunday in 2022 and continues through 2025. Following the congress will be a “Year of Missionary Sending,” in which Catholics from all stages and walks of life will be sent out to share Christ’s love that they have received in encounter with him through the Eucharist. 

For more information on the revival, pilgrimage and congress, visit https://www.eucharisticrevival.org.