Q: Two versions of the Apostolic Pardon are found in the Rite of Pastoral Care and Anointing of the Sick. Version A is:
“Through the holy mysteries of our redemption, may almighty God release you from all punishments in this life and in the life to come. May he open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy.”
Version B is as follows:
“By the authority which the Apostolic See has given me, I grant you a full pardon and the remission of all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Both versions A and B are present in the Continuous Rite (243) and Viaticum outside Mass (201). In both of those circumstances, the Apostolic Pardon takes place after the penitential rite.
On the other hand, only version A of the Apostolic Pardon is found in Viaticum within Mass (195) and the Rite for Emergencies (265).
The small numbers in the book are the paragraphs in the typical version. So, one would expect 201 and 243 to correspond with the same paragraph and 195 and 265 to do the same. When in reality, the corresponding paragraphs are as follows:
195 (green) to 106 (typical)
201 (green) to 106 (typical)
243 (green) to 122 (typical)
265 (green) to 122 (typical)
I prefer to use version B because the language is more definitive and makes it clear to the recipient what is happening at that moment. Was version B omitted from Viaticum within Mass and Rite for Emergencies for a particular reason or was it just an oversight in compilation? Also, why is the pardon after the penitential rite in the Continuous Rite and Viaticum outside Mass and after the final blessing for Viaticum within Mass? Is it in the same order in the typical edition and this is just another compilation oversight? I remember you saying something about how we don’t follow the same order of paragraphs, but both versions of viaticum use paragraph 106 of the typical edition despite taking place at different moments in each rite.
==
A: Thanks for this thoughtful and observant question.
All this should become clearer with the revised English translation, which should be available in the next year or two.
Regarding the indulgence formula at the end of Viaticum within Mass, look at the last line of #184. That’s the source (99f) for the insertion of the indulgence after the blessing of the Mass. In Latin, it cites #106 of the typical edition (195 in the green book), and #106 gives BOTH formulas, so either formula is permitted. I’m not sure why, during Mass, the formula comes after the blessing, but that is what the typical edition calls for.
Regarding the rite for emergencies, the typical edition plainly gives both options. #122 = #106.
By the way, the English translation in force has reversed the order of the two formulas. In Latin, the one you prefer is the first option.