Indulgences Can Be Held For Later Use?

[Eliakim]

Question on indulgences:

 

I have heard when one obtains a plenary or partial indulgence that person can hold on to it until they "unleash" or "cash" it in. 

 

1) Is this correct, and how long may one hold on to it for?  (My initial thought is that when the person falls into mortal sin, it cannot be "cashed", but once they get back into a sate of grace, then they can apply it to themselves or another). 

 

2) Does the person you are applying it to need to be in a state of grace as well, or can one only apply them to souls in purgatory?   

 

thanks,

E

 

[Basilisa Marie]

You can't hold on to an indulgence and just wait to cash it in.

[Nihil Obstat]

The idea of 'holding' an indulgence and 'using' it later sounds like it is veering into superstition, treating the indulgence as some sort of totem or charm. 

[KarenJoanna]

Indulgences remit punishment for sins in the afterlife so it would not really matter if we could cash it whenever we want, it would have the same effect.. But as far as I know, you cannot cash it whenever you want. Once you complete the requirements for the indulgence it is given to you or by your choice, to a soul in purgatory. You cannot give it to someone in this life.

[Eliakim]

alright, may have gotten some misinformation about that then.  Thanks all.