Plenary Indulgence- Te Deum

On December 31st a plenary indulgence may be gained by publicly reciting or singing the Te Deum

The usual conditions for gaining a plenary indulgence are the following

(according to the Handbook of Indulgences, 4th edition 1999):

  • State of grace, at least when performing the indulgenced act
  • Sacramental Confession, within 20 days before or after (one confession can be used for multiple indulgences) 
  • Eucharistic communion (Preferably on the day, or the days before or after. One Communion cannot be used for multiple indulgences [partial or plenary]. Reception of one Holy Communion per indulgence)
  • Prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff (certain prayers are not specified, recommended are an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be) 
  • Complete detachment of sin, even venial sin. 
  • Indulgenced act: a special good work with special conditions of place and time

*Of note to gain the plenary indulgence for reciting the Te Deum on December 31st and the plenary indulgence for reciting Veni, Creátor Spíritus January 1st, the faithful must receive Holy Communion on December 31st and January 1st.

TE, Deum laudámus: te Dominum confitémur.
Te ætérnum Patrem omnis terra venerátur.
Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi cæli et univérsae potestátes.

WE, praise thee, O God : we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee : the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud : the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.

Tibi Chérubim et Séraphim incessábili voce proclámant:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dóminus Deus Sábaoth.
Pleni sunt cæli et terra majestátis glóriæ tuæ.

To thee Cherubim and Seraphim : continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy : Lord God of Hosts;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty : of thy glory.

Te gloriósus Apostolórum chorus;
Te Prophetárum laudábilis númerus;
Te Mártyrum candidátus laudat exércitus.

The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.

Te per orbem terrárum sancta confitétur Ecclésia:
Patrem imménsæ majestátis;
Venerándum tuum verum et únicum Fílium;

The holy Church throughout all the world : doth acknowledge thee;
The Father : of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true : and only Son;

Sanctum quoque Paráclitum Spíritum.
Tu Rex glóriæ, Christe.
Tu Patris sempitérnus es Fílius.

Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.

Tu ad liberándum susceptúrus hóminem, non horruísti Vírginis úterum.
Tu, devícto mortis acúleo,
aperuísti credéntibus regna cælórum.

When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man : thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death :
thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.

Tu ad déxteram Dei sedes, in glória Patris.
Judex créderis esse ventúrus.
Te ergo quǽsumus, tuis fámulis súbveni,
quos pretióso sánguine redemísti.
Ætérna fac cum sanctis tuis in glória numerári.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants :
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.