Paenitentiam Agere

On the Need for the Practice of Interior and Exterior Penance

St. John XXIII1962-07-01Current

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Overview

Calls the Church to conversion, prayer, and penance in preparation for the Second Vatican Council.

Why This Document Matters

It places ecclesial renewal within repentance and spiritual preparation rather than institutional planning alone.

Historical Context

Issued by St. John XXIII in 1962, this papal encyclical addresses the pastoral, doctrinal, or governing needs of its period while remaining part of the Church's continuing documentary tradition.

Authority and Status

Genre: Papal Encyclical
Authority class: Papal encyclical
Juridical force: Doctrinal and pastoral
Current status: Current
Promulgated: 1962-07-01

Authoritative papal teaching; the weight of individual statements depends on their wording, subject, continuity, and intent.

Key Points

Spirituality & PrayerMoral TheologyEcclesiology

Major Themes

Spirituality & PrayerMoral TheologyEcclesiology

Related CatholicG33k Resources

Official Text

Paenitentiam Agere

The official document text is hosted by the Holy See. CatholicG33k provides contextual and educational material but does not reproduce the complete Vatican text here.

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