Pope Pius VII, by a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, dated 14 February 1815, granted the following indulgences to all the faithful who shall practise the devotion of the Three Hours' Agony, on Good Friday, beginning it after midday, and continuing it for the three hours following, up to that moment in which the memory of our divine Redeemer's death is annually recalled.
This pious practice may be performed either in public or in private, alone or with others, under the direction of a priest or other sacred minister, or using any pious book that is approved, and meditating, according to each one's ability, on the great sufferings which our Saviour endured during those three hours, and on the seven words he uttered on the cross, or, instead of this, by reciting psalms, hymns or prayers:
- A plenary indulgence to all the faithful who, being truly penitent, after confession and communion, on Holy Thursday, or during Easter-week, shall devoutly pray, for some time, for the intention of his Holiness;
- An indulgence of 200 days to all who, on every Friday of the year, shall, with devotion, recall the memory of our Saviour's agony, and pray devoutly, for some time, in the manner aforesaid;
- A plenary indulgence, once a month, to be gained on the last Friday of every month by all those who, having meditated and prayed, as directed above, on the previous Fridays of the month, and, being truly penitent, after confession and communion, shall pray devoutly, for some time, for the intention of his Holiness.
(Source: Imprimatur 1903 AD, The New Raccolta Or Collection Of Prayers And Good Works, To Which The Sovereign Pontiffs Have Attached Holy Indulgences, pp. 168-169)
