Lastly, according to the decree of Sept. 18, 1862, already quoted, the prescribed visit may be changed into some other pious work, in the case of those who are unable to leave their homes on account of chronic maladies, or of any physical impediment, excepting those who live in religious communities. And this commutation may be made by the penitent’s ordinary confessor.
IV. Some pious prayers are generally required among the conditions for gaining plenary indulgences, and sometimes even for partial indulgences. When the indult mentions prayers “for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff,” or “for the usual intentions,” it is understood that some prayers must be said for the spread of the Catholic faith, for the triumph of holy Church, for the conversion of sinners, for peace and union among Christian princes and rulers, and for the extirpation of heresy.
As to the specific form of prayer to be used in such cases, the Sacred Congregation has decided, May 29, 1841, “that the prayers to be said for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff, in order to gain an indulgence, are left to the discretion of individuals, unless some special prayers are mentioned.” But the Sacred Congregation goes on to state that “prayers which are of obligation on other grounds, as, for instance, the Canonical Hours, cannot be understood to satisfy the obligation of praying for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff, in order to gain an indulgence.”
Concerning the time and place in which these prayers may be said, or are to be said, the same
