Special Divine Mercy Plenary Indulgence

In 2002 Holy Father Pope St. John Paul II decreed a special plenary indulgence for those who take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy on the Sunday following Easter. (If someone is unable to attend these special prayers and devotions, they may recite the Our Father and the Creed before the Blessed Sacrament, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus such as “Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!”) To gain the plenary indulgence, the usual conditions apply, namely:

1) We can only gain a plenary indulgence once a day
2) We must be in the state of grace; that is to say, we must have confessed all mortal sins that we are aware of.
3) We should receive Communion the same day if possible, or at least within a few days.
4) We should pray for the Pope in whatever way we choose but it is recommended we pray one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary.”
5) We should go to Confession within a few days before or after receiving the indulgence, or at least within 20 days. One confession can count towards multiple plenary indulgences, but each plenary indulgence requires a separate new reception of Communion and prayer for the Pope.

Clarifications
*We can apply a plenary indulgence to ourselves or a soul in purgatory, but not to another living person.
*If we wish to apply the plenary indulgence to ourselves, we must be completely detached from all sin, mortal or venial. This does not mean that we never sin but rather that our hearts must be dead set against choosing the foolishness of man’s ways over the grace and wisdom of God’s ways, even if it means suffering the price of righteousness in our jobs, relationships and personal lives. For example, if we convince ourselves that it is not a big deal to tell white lies to get out of awkward situations or to harbor resentments towards people because their behavior does not live up to our judgmental standards, we are still attached to sin. Similarly, sinful addictions to pornography, alcohol, drugs, gambling or stealing money reveal an attachment to sin. If, however, we are employing every resource available to overcome these addictions, such as following a recovery program, having an accountability partner and restructuring our lives to avoid the people and places that enable us to sin, then we can say in good faith that we are not attached to those sins.
*Souls in purgatory have no attachment to sin because they are assured of their eternal salvation. A plenary indulgence will free them of the spiritual sufferings required to purify them for the holiness of heaven.
*St. Louis de Montfort encourages Catholics to entrust all indulgences to the administration of our Blessed Mother. If we trust Mother Mary to apply the indulgences we earn in this life to those souls in Purgatory who most need it, how much more will she reward our trust by finding indulgences and special graces for us and our loved ones when in need?

Recommended Links
Special Decree on Divine Mercy Sunday

Vatican Guidelines on Plenary Indulgences

EWTN Summary of Divine Mercy Sunday

Catholic Conference of Bishops Q&A (including indulgences)