A plenary indulgence is a complete remission of the punishment that one would have received as an apology for a sin that has been committed, by God's mercy and grace.

• Parents may try to punish their children severely for the sake of their education, as they want to raise them to be considerate people because of their selfish behavior. By making them suffer a little, they make them realize the seriousness of what they have done. However, as soon as the child realizes his or her own fault, reflects on it, and apologises, the parents immediately waive the punishment and embrace the child lovingly, praising him or her for being honest.

• When we commit a sin, we hurt and sadden God and our neighbors by behaving selfishly. We also forget God's mercy and distance ourselves from him. However, when we sincerely regret the sin we have committed, receive the sacrament of penance, and resolve to move forward as new people, the Church can, on God's behalf, absolve us from making the reparation we should have made, that is, from accepting punishment as a sign of our apology. This is what is called "indulgence." God is pleased with and fully accepts our "sincere and honest attitude of remorse" and our "positive determination to deepen our love." This historical form, which God is full of love for human beings and which we are not aware of, is called "penal indulgence."

• In sending us his Son, Christ, God makes us realize his call to mercy. Christ has forgiven us, freed us from our sins, and redeemed us. In gratitude for this fact, the Church gives Christians public encouragement in the form of "indulgences," or "freedom of reparation," so that they too may love, support, and show solidarity with one another.