Dear James:

Indulgences are no longer described for a certain number of days. Numbering of days actually makes no sense in that there is no such thing as "days" and "time" in purgatory, heaven, or hell. The measurement of time only applies to the material world.

The idea of "days" in indulgences, and of indulgences itself, comes from the early Church when confession and penance were public. A person may receive a penance of, for example, standing in the town square with a sign describing the sin they committed for 365 days. An indulgence might be to mow the grass in the Central Park for 60 days and 300 days would be taken off the 365 penance, leaving only 65 days the person has to stand in the town square.

After this public penance was no longer administered, the tradition indulgence and the number of days was continued by applied spiritually (time off of purgatory) even though, technically, time as we know it does not exist in the spiritual world.

The change in the application of indulgences to remove the designation of a number of days and replace it with the term "partial" was to bring the language in line with the correct theology of the nature of "time" in the spiritual world.

The authority to grant plenary indulgences belongs to the Pope. Bishops, Metropolitans, Patriarchs, Cardinals can grant partial indulgences for those in their respective jurisdictions.

You can see a list of those things which are currently given a partial or plenary indulgence at the 3rd Edition Norms for Indulgences (Enchiridion of Indulgences).

Any indulgence that is allowed that is listed in literature under a number of days is actually a "partial indulgence".

As for Scapulars and Rosaries, and such, it is not necessary to belong to any confraternity, but anyone can gain the indulgences under the normal conditions. Norm 19 states:

The faithful, who devoutly use an article of devotion (crucifix or cross, rosary, scapular or medal) properly blessed by any priest, obtain a partial indulgence.

But if the article of devotion has been blessed by the Sovereign Pontiff or by any Bishop, the faithful, using it devoutly, can also gain a plenary indulgence on the feast of the Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, provided they also make a profession of faith according to any legitimate formula.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Holy Hour) receives an indulgence to anyone regardless of membership in any confraternity.

Those who can gain an indulgence must qualify and be in proper disposition, of course. The norm 22 states:

To be capable of gaining an indulgence for oneself, it is required that one be baptized,

• not excommunicated,
• in the state of grace at least at the completion of the prescribed works, and
• a subject of the one granting the indulgence.

In order that one who is capable may actually gain indulgences,

• one must have at least a general intention to gain them
• and must in accordance with the tenor of the grant perform the enjoined works at the time and in the manner prescribed.

 As mentioned above, take a look at the 3rd Edition Norms for Indulgences (Enchiridion of Indulgences).

 Keep in mind that this document contains the universal norms. As mentioned above, bishops (and some superiors of orders have the equivalent authority of bishops), Metropolitans, Patriarchs, Cardinals can grant partial indulgences for those in their respective jurisdictions. Those local partial indulgences will not be listed in the Enchiridion.

Those local indulgences, however, will be partial. Plenary Indulgences can only be granted by the Holy See, as I understand it.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary