Chapter I. On Real Indulgences Generally

Real indulgences are those which are attached to pious objects. By the name of pious objects here come: chaplets, rosaries, crosses, crucifixes, small statues, and sacred medals.¹

¹ Beringer-Steinen, I, n. 832.

I. Required matter. Pious objects must be made from solid matter, for example from iron, from wood, especially harder wood, from coral, shell, ivory, marble, etc. But those composed of fragile matter, for example from tin, lead, or glass, are excluded;¹ yet chaplets and rosaries can be made from solid and compact glass, from tin, lead, or crystal,² from polished steel, etc.³ Likewise printed or painted images are excluded. Moreover images must represent Saints canonized in the customary form or inserted in duly approved martyrologies.⁴

¹ Cf. Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, January 24, 1846 (Decreta authentica, n. 333); Sacred Penitentiary, February 17, 1922 (A.A.S. 1922, p. 143).

² Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, February 29, 1820 (Decreta authentica, n. 249, to I and II); August 8, 1859; Sacred Penitentiary, December 21, 1925 (A.A.S. 1926, p. 24).

³ Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, March 22, 1839 (Decreta authentica, n. 271, to II).

⁴ Decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, June 16, 1764 (Decreta authentica, n. 1520); cf. Sacred Penitentiary, February 17, 1922 (A.A.S. 1922, p. 143).

II. Attachment of indulgences.

1. By force of common law Cardinals, from their promotion in Consistory, and Bishops, even titular ones, from the day on which they receive authentic notice of the completed canonical provision, can attach to the things of which we are speaking the indulgences which are customarily granted by the Holy See, that is, the Apostolic or Papal indulgences, as they are called (canon 239, § 1, 5°; canon 349, § 1, 1°). Others also, who receive from the Holy See the simple faculty of blessing rosaries, chaplets, crosses, crucifixes, small statues, and medals, can attach to them only the Apostolic indulgences.¹

Note. Of itself sacramental jurisdiction is not required in order that someone can receive and exercise the faculty of attaching indulgences. Nevertheless the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, June 14, 1901, declared that the faculty of blessing pious objects with application of Apostolic and St. Bridget's indulgences is not validly exercised by one who is not approved for hearing confessions, at least of men.

2. The attachment of indulgences is made in the customary form, that is, by a single sign of the cross over the things to be blessed, with the intention of applying the indulgences, without pronouncing a formula of blessing and without sprinkling holy water;² and this holds even if several things are blessed in a group, which can well be done (n. 499). Sometimes, however, a special form is prescribed, for example for the rosary of St. Dominic and of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

3. To one and the same thing or place several indulgences can be attached under various titles (canon 933), provided, however, that the thing has the form required for each indulgence. Besides, these several indulgences can also be attached to the same thing by a single sign of the cross, unless a special form is prescribed for some indulgence. Thus, for example, to one and the same crucifix there can be attached the Apostolic indulgences and those of the Way of the Cross; to one and the same chaplet of five decades there can be attached the indulgences both Apostolic, and of St. Dominic, and of the Crucigeri.³ But if the matter concerns medals to be blessed in place of scapulars, as many signs of the cross must be made as there are scapulars, and the blessings probably ought to correspond to the individual scapulars; but this blessing can be given, even publicly, by a single sign of the cross for each scapular to several blessed medals, even if they are destined for several persons afterward to be enrolled.⁴

¹ Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, May 29, 1841 (Decreta authentica, n. 291).

² Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, January 7, 1843 (Decreta authentica, n. 313, to II).

³ Stein, op. cit., p. 41.

⁴ Holy Office, June 4, 1913 (A.A.S. 1913, p. 303).

III. How acquisition of indulgences has place was seen above, where there was discussion of real indulgences in particular. Yet recall this: by one and the same work, to which indulgences are attached under various titles, several indulgences cannot be acquired, unless the required work is confession or communion, or unless something else has been expressly provided (canon 933); these things were explained in n. 502.

IV. How cessation of real indulgences happens, see n. 507.

Note. Among real indulgences, the Apostolic or Papal indulgences should be mentioned in particular.

1. Apostolic indulgences are those which, according to a catalogue customarily issued by the Roman Pontiff after his election, are attached to pious objects by the Supreme Pontiff or by a delegate. It is said "to pious objects," namely those of which there was discussion on p. 407, with the matter also observed of which we spoke under I on the page cited. For the catalogue of indulgences attached to the aforesaid objects by Pius XI, see A.A.S. 1922, p. 143.

2. Who can attach the said indulgences to things, and what form is to be used in attaching them, see n. 537.

3. "In order that someone may be able to gain Apostolic Indulgences, it is necessary that he carry upon himself, or decently keep in his house, some one of the things blessed by the Supreme Pontiff himself or by a priest endowed with the faculty."¹ Finally, in order that someone actually gain the indulgences, he must fulfill the prayers or pious works prescribed for each indulgence.

¹ Sacred Penitentiary, February 17, 1922 (A.A.S. 1922, p. 143).