Enchiridion · Grant 9, 2°
Act of contrition
Pray an act of contrition using a legitimate formula.
Time required Length of the chosen legitimate act of contrition
- When
- Any day
- Where
- No special location prescribed
- Who
- All eligible faithful
- Application
- Self or the departed
The prescribed work
- Recite an act of contrition devoutly using a legitimate formula.
- Especially suited to preparation for sacramental confession.
The work and its conditions
The general requirements include at least a general intention, the state of grace by the completion of the work, and a contrite heart. Complete the work as prescribed.
Conditions common to every indulgence
The person gaining an indulgence must be baptized, not excommunicated, and in the state of grace at least when the prescribed works are completed. There must be at least a general intention to gain indulgences, and the prescribed work must be performed at the time and in the manner required by the grant.
Read the full conditions and norms. The cited grant and its specific provisions govern.
Time required
Read each branch with its own conditions. An editorial estimate is not a prescribed minimum.
Prescribed work
Duration varies
Length of the chosen legitimate act of contrition
No fixed number of minutes is prescribed. Legitimate formulas differ; contrition is required, not merely elapsed reading time.
What the time estimate excludes
- Ordinary travel to and from the venue, and waiting outside the prescribed work
- Preparation and separately fulfilled sacramental conditions, except where the prescribed work itself includes Communion or a liturgical celebration
Occasion and source notes
The Manual’s common rule for these prayer texts also applies: use a text approved by the competent ecclesiastical authority (Other Concessions, introduction no. 4).
Prayer texts and resources
Follow the prayer count and formula specified in the requirements.
Source and exact reference
- Enchiridion indulgentiarum, fourth edition (1999)9, 2°; Other Concessions, introduction no. 4
- Manual of Indulgences, approved USCCB English edition (2006), hosted copy9, 2°
Prayer texts and grants have separate source histories. Consult the grant source for the prescribed work, occasion, and conditions.