The Enchiridion Of Indulgences - St. Patrick's Basilica

Preliminary Observations
The Enchiridion Of Indulgences
1. This new edition of the Enchiridion effectively implements Norm 13 of the Apostolic
Constitution: "The Enchiridion of Indulgences is to be revised with a view to attaching
indulgences only to the most important prayers and works of piety, charity and penance."
2. By the most important prayers and works are here meant those, which in the light of
tradition and of the changed conditions of present times are indicated as particularly suited in
helping the faithful to satisfy for the punishments due their sins and, what is of greater
consequence still, in inciting them to a more fervent charity. It was with this principle in view,
that the present new arrangement has been carried out. 1
3. In accordance with traditional practice, participation in the Sacrifice of the Mass and in the
Sacraments is not enriched with indulgences. This is because of the surpassing "sanctifying
and purifying" 2 efficacy, which the Mass and the Sacraments have in themselves.
When, therefore, an indulgence is granted on certain special occasions (such as, first Holy
Communion, the first Mass of a newly ordained priest, or the closing Mass of a Eucharistic
Congress), it is to be understood as attached, not to the participation in the Mass or
Sacraments as such, but to the extraordinary circumstances connected with the participation.
Hence, what the indulgence is intended to promote and, so to speak, to reward are the
personal devotion of the participant, which is the special aim of such celebrations, the giving
of good example to others, and the manifestation of honor to the august mystery of the
Eucharist and to the priesthood.
But an indulgence can be given, as is clear from tradition, to various works of private and
public piety; likewise, works of charity and penance, which must be held as having even
greater importance at the present time, can be so enriched. All these indulgenced works,
however, as for that matter every other good work and every suffering patiently borne, are by
no means to be esteemed apart from the Mass and the Sacraments, the principal sources of
sanctification and purification; 3 for, it is precisely their good works and sufferings that
constitute the oblation, which the faithful join to the oblation of Christ in the Eucharistic
Sacrifice; 4 it is also the Mass and the Sacraments, which move the faithful to perform the
tasks laid upon them in such a way that "they will hold fast in their lives to what they have
received by faith"; 5 on the other hand, it is through the devoted fulfillment of their tasks, that
they become daily ever better disposed to participate fruitfully in the Mass and Sacraments. 6
4. In conformity with the changed conditions of present times, greater value is placed on the
action (opus operantis) of the faithful. For this reason, instead of being a lengthy series of
indulgenced works of piety (opus operatum), more or less extraneous to the daily life of the
1 See Address of Pope Paul VI to College of Cardinals and to Roman Curia on Dec. 23, 1966: A.A.S., 59 (1967),
p. 57.
2 See Apost. Const. The Doctrine of Indulgences, Jan. 1, 1967, n. 11
3 See Apost. Const. The Doctrine of Indulgences, n. 11
4 See II Vatican Council, Dogmatic Const. On the Church, n. 34.
5 Roman Missal, oration of Tuesday within octave of Easter.
6 See II Vatican Council, Const. On Sacred Liturgy, nn. 9-13.
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