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Documents of the Second Vatican Council
Sacrosanctum Concilium: On the Sacred Liturgy
It is the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy from the Vatican Council II.
58 pages, Paperback
First published December 4, 1963
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Second Vatican Council
52 books16 followersThe Second Vatican Council (Latin: Concilium Oecumenicum Vaticanum Secundum, informally known as Vatican II) addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first ecumenical council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The council, through the Holy See, formally opened under the pontificate of Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed under Pope Paul VI on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8th December 1965.
Several changes resulted from the council, including the renewal of consecrated life with a revised charism, ecumenical efforts towards dialogue with other religions, and the call to holiness for everyone including the laity, according to Pope Paul VI "the most characteristic and ultimate purpose of the teachings of the Council".
According to Pope Benedict XVI, the most important and essential message of the council is "the Paschal Mystery as the center of what it is to be Christian and therefore of the Christian life, the Christian year, the Christian seasons". Other changes which followed the council included the widespread use of vernacular languages in the Mass instead of Latin, the subtle disuse of ornate clerical regalia, the revision of Eucharistic prayers, the abbreviation of the liturgical calendar, the ability to celebrate the Mass versus populum (with the officiant facing the congregation), as well as ad orientem (facing the "East" and the Crucifix), and modern aesthetic changes encompassing contemporary Catholic liturgical music and artwork, many of which remain divisive among the Catholic faithful.
Several changes resulted from the council, including the renewal of consecrated life with a revised charism, ecumenical efforts towards dialogue with other religions, and the call to holiness for everyone including the laity, according to Pope Paul VI "the most characteristic and ultimate purpose of the teachings of the Council".
According to Pope Benedict XVI, the most important and essential message of the council is "the Paschal Mystery as the center of what it is to be Christian and therefore of the Christian life, the Christian year, the Christian seasons". Other changes which followed the council included the widespread use of vernacular languages in the Mass instead of Latin, the subtle disuse of ornate clerical regalia, the revision of Eucharistic prayers, the abbreviation of the liturgical calendar, the ability to celebrate the Mass versus populum (with the officiant facing the congregation), as well as ad orientem (facing the "East" and the Crucifix), and modern aesthetic changes encompassing contemporary Catholic liturgical music and artwork, many of which remain divisive among the Catholic faithful.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 15, 2021
I decided that I needed to read the Vatican II documents so that I could have a better idea of what the *intent* of the Council was.
Boy. I've only read 1/16 of the documents and I ALREADY love the council. So much. And I HIGHLY RESENT the many "reforms" that took place afterwards that were in the name of Vatican II but were really *not* in line with the intent of the council.
For instance:
-This document SPECIFICALLY STATES that Gregorian Chant & Polyphony, supported by organ, is the music best suited to liturgy.
-The entire, and clearly stated, objective was to take away "needless repetition", and things that had come about in the liturgy through historical accidents, to get a liturgy that's simpler and easier for the faithful to understand and participate in as should be their role in the Mass.
-Latin is still highly encouraged ESPECIALLY for the parts of the Mass.
-The liturgy of the hours is SO still a Thing, AND "is especially suited to being sung".
IF PEOPLE WOULD JUST READ THIS DOCUMENT-
Okay, sorry. I just get very, very passionate about this.
I don't know how to rate this--it's a document of a church Council...but I've only read it once...but it was amazing. 4.5 stars?
Boy. I've only read 1/16 of the documents and I ALREADY love the council. So much. And I HIGHLY RESENT the many "reforms" that took place afterwards that were in the name of Vatican II but were really *not* in line with the intent of the council.
For instance:
-This document SPECIFICALLY STATES that Gregorian Chant & Polyphony, supported by organ, is the music best suited to liturgy.
-The entire, and clearly stated, objective was to take away "needless repetition", and things that had come about in the liturgy through historical accidents, to get a liturgy that's simpler and easier for the faithful to understand and participate in as should be their role in the Mass.
-Latin is still highly encouraged ESPECIALLY for the parts of the Mass.
-The liturgy of the hours is SO still a Thing, AND "is especially suited to being sung".
IF PEOPLE WOULD JUST READ THIS DOCUMENT-
Okay, sorry. I just get very, very passionate about this.
I don't know how to rate this--it's a document of a church Council...but I've only read it once...but it was amazing. 4.5 stars?
April 10, 2016
Why, oh why, do not more pastors attempt to comply with this wonderful guideline for the celebration of the Latin Rite? How on earth did we get out of Vatican II what we got out of it, with a document such as this promulgated as a basis for liturgy? What happened? Apparently we are slowly beginning to adhere to the norms established in this document. The day that we finally fully and universally comply cannot come soon enough.
August 28, 2023
Lots of outlines of practice! Good things. Hopefully I don’t have to memorize them :-)
October 19, 2014
I enjoyed reading this "historical" document. It is one of the four major documents promulgated after Vatican II by Pope Paul VI, this one released in 1963.
Although the document mostly addresses the role of the Church, Bishops and priests in the revision and administration of Church dogma, its main topic is to show the limits and instances of the changes in the Liturgy from the Mother Tongue (Latin) to the vernacular. Hence the historical nature of the document.
Also discussed in this document is the primordial role of the Liturgy in Catholic lives, and how different aspects of the Liturgy can be celebrated either individually (through private prayer and the Office of Hours, for example) and through a communion of peoples, especially at Mass.
The role of artists (including visual arts and music), icons and embellishments in churches and as used in the celebration of the Liturgy is also broached.
Every Catholic should find Sacrosanctum Concilium a worthwhile document with which to familiarize themselves, since its main purpose is the expounding upon of the multiple facets of the Liturgy.
Although the document mostly addresses the role of the Church, Bishops and priests in the revision and administration of Church dogma, its main topic is to show the limits and instances of the changes in the Liturgy from the Mother Tongue (Latin) to the vernacular. Hence the historical nature of the document.
Also discussed in this document is the primordial role of the Liturgy in Catholic lives, and how different aspects of the Liturgy can be celebrated either individually (through private prayer and the Office of Hours, for example) and through a communion of peoples, especially at Mass.
The role of artists (including visual arts and music), icons and embellishments in churches and as used in the celebration of the Liturgy is also broached.
Every Catholic should find Sacrosanctum Concilium a worthwhile document with which to familiarize themselves, since its main purpose is the expounding upon of the multiple facets of the Liturgy.
July 5, 2016
"Active participation": how many times was that included in the document? I wish those words were not ruined by the last 60 years...
Otherwise, it seemed like the document was sound, if a little vague at times. Such high hopes, perhaps, when it was written...
Otherwise, it seemed like the document was sound, if a little vague at times. Such high hopes, perhaps, when it was written...
June 2, 2015
Great call to holiness, and much needed in terms of pastoral instruction.
Especially regarding sacred art and music!
Especially regarding sacred art and music!
September 5, 2023
Realmente criticar un documento que al final resultó ser más preceptivo que declarativo o teológico resulta una empresa condenada a fracasar. En él se establece la necesidad de la liturgia para la vida del cristiano y se busca retomar el oficio de las horas, la importancia de la lectura de la Biblia en la celebración eucarística y se buscó modificar varios ritos de los sacramentos. Desde una perspectiva más desapasionada y después de observar ambos mundos (los defensores y los detractores del concilio Vaticano II), debo reconocer que concuerdo con gran parte de lo manifestado en este documento.
El meollo a la hora de estudiar estos textos del Concilio Vaticano II consiste en destacar que el carácter preceptivo de los documentos no se detiene en ellos mismos sino que se extiende en sinnúmero de bulas, constituciones apostólicas, ordenanzas, etcétera, que si bien aparentemente dan continuidad a lo dicho en aquéllos, muchas veces los modifican. Por ejemplo, la encíclica "Aeterni Patris" instruyó a los seminarios a instruir a sus pupilos en la filosofía tomista como ejemplo del buen pensar cristiano pero no cerraba la puerta a otras aportaciones filosóficas. Sin embargo con Pío X y el codigo de Derecho Canónico, pasamos de aquel punto al hecho de constituir la doctrina de Tomás de Aquino como la filosofía oficial de la Iglesia. Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho.
Considero menester aludir a que después de leer "Sacrosantum Concilium" se debe leer la constitución apostólica "Missale Romanum" de Pablo VI. Aquí varias cuestiones se adicionan a lo dicho por el concilio y se abre la puerta a la derogación de varios puntos que en SC están presentes, como el hecho de que toda la misa ahora deberá estar el lengua vernácula cuando en el aludido documento se habla de hacer las lecturas y algunas oraciones en la lengua del lugar.
Me parece pertinente aludir a que el documento parece tener buenas intenciones, sin embargo la práctica dista mucho de la teoría; y es aquí donde hay que ser más finos con el análisis. Tal vez ni tradis ni modernistas tienen razón a la hora de criticar o afirmar lo dicho en SC e igual debido a la ambiguedad y posterior perversión en la implementación de estos cambios litúrgicos, es posible afirmar que tal vez nunca habrá un momento en que la Iglesia romana alcance los fines deseados en SC porque en sí el documento y la práctica son antitéticos a aquéllos. Con lo cual la solución a los problemas generados serán instrucciones como "Traditiones custodes" o la convocatoria a un nuevo concilio.
El meollo a la hora de estudiar estos textos del Concilio Vaticano II consiste en destacar que el carácter preceptivo de los documentos no se detiene en ellos mismos sino que se extiende en sinnúmero de bulas, constituciones apostólicas, ordenanzas, etcétera, que si bien aparentemente dan continuidad a lo dicho en aquéllos, muchas veces los modifican. Por ejemplo, la encíclica "Aeterni Patris" instruyó a los seminarios a instruir a sus pupilos en la filosofía tomista como ejemplo del buen pensar cristiano pero no cerraba la puerta a otras aportaciones filosóficas. Sin embargo con Pío X y el codigo de Derecho Canónico, pasamos de aquel punto al hecho de constituir la doctrina de Tomás de Aquino como la filosofía oficial de la Iglesia. Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho.
Considero menester aludir a que después de leer "Sacrosantum Concilium" se debe leer la constitución apostólica "Missale Romanum" de Pablo VI. Aquí varias cuestiones se adicionan a lo dicho por el concilio y se abre la puerta a la derogación de varios puntos que en SC están presentes, como el hecho de que toda la misa ahora deberá estar el lengua vernácula cuando en el aludido documento se habla de hacer las lecturas y algunas oraciones en la lengua del lugar.
Me parece pertinente aludir a que el documento parece tener buenas intenciones, sin embargo la práctica dista mucho de la teoría; y es aquí donde hay que ser más finos con el análisis. Tal vez ni tradis ni modernistas tienen razón a la hora de criticar o afirmar lo dicho en SC e igual debido a la ambiguedad y posterior perversión en la implementación de estos cambios litúrgicos, es posible afirmar que tal vez nunca habrá un momento en que la Iglesia romana alcance los fines deseados en SC porque en sí el documento y la práctica son antitéticos a aquéllos. Con lo cual la solución a los problemas generados serán instrucciones como "Traditiones custodes" o la convocatoria a un nuevo concilio.
March 22, 2024
In order to understand Sacrosanctum concilium, we must return to the historical context of the early 20th century. And at the beginning of the last century, there was a turn towards Liturgy and Sacrament in the field of theology: scholars began to undertake sacramental studies and clergy worked on pastoral practice, both of which contributed to this trend. So it is not difficult to understand that two points are emphasised in this document, on the one hand, the return to traditional sources (e.g. textual criticism of prayers) and, on the other hand, the adaptation of tradition to the modern world (e.g. revision, simplification of prayers).
Returning to this paper, we need to understand the following important concepts, which are "the nature of the sacraments", "the present" and "active participation". The first "nature of the sacraments" implies an idealistic position, in which all classes and races receive the sacraments equally, since the nature of the sacraments does not depend on political, economic, etc. The second "present" implies the real presence of Jesus: his presence in the sacraments and in the community; and thirdly, along with the "active participation", the Church of Rome focuses at the same time on the regulation and study of the times and festivals of the sacraments. Both reflect a return to tradition and a position of adapting the Church to the modern world. In addition, art and music are emphasised, which also need to be understood in the context of "active participation".
Finally, we must not forget the introduction at the beginning of the document. There, it is not limited to the Catholic position, but rather to "among all who believe in Christ". So the document was not only disseminated within the Catholic Church, but also influenced Protestantism. Although there has been no lack of conservative scepticism in the Catholic Church, there is no doubt that they have gone further than this document.
Returning to this paper, we need to understand the following important concepts, which are "the nature of the sacraments", "the present" and "active participation". The first "nature of the sacraments" implies an idealistic position, in which all classes and races receive the sacraments equally, since the nature of the sacraments does not depend on political, economic, etc. The second "present" implies the real presence of Jesus: his presence in the sacraments and in the community; and thirdly, along with the "active participation", the Church of Rome focuses at the same time on the regulation and study of the times and festivals of the sacraments. Both reflect a return to tradition and a position of adapting the Church to the modern world. In addition, art and music are emphasised, which also need to be understood in the context of "active participation".
Finally, we must not forget the introduction at the beginning of the document. There, it is not limited to the Catholic position, but rather to "among all who believe in Christ". So the document was not only disseminated within the Catholic Church, but also influenced Protestantism. Although there has been no lack of conservative scepticism in the Catholic Church, there is no doubt that they have gone further than this document.
October 24, 2020
Now I understand a little more why is mass the way it is right now. The document is wonderfull and I can't belive how some liberal groups hijacked it proposed changes to complitly destroy sense of sacred. But God is great and writers of Sacrosanctum Concilium knew what they were doing. Saint Paul Vi pray for us.
January 22, 2020
A lot of good gems in here. The whole book overflows with the beauty of the Catholic liturgy.
December 31, 2016
A 2016 re-read. It's useful because it helps you to see how much of what was put forward by the Second Vatican Council isn't, contrary to popular belief, either:
a. A breakaway from all dogma and doctrine; a license for doing anything and everything, and disregard tradition in a "positive" sense (i.e.: "modernism").
b. A breakaway from all dogma and doctrine; a license for doing anything and everything, and disregard tradition in a negative sense (i.e. "traditionalism").
Both sectors, and anyone would do themselves and everyone in the Church and outside a great service.
a. A breakaway from all dogma and doctrine; a license for doing anything and everything, and disregard tradition in a "positive" sense (i.e.: "modernism").
b. A breakaway from all dogma and doctrine; a license for doing anything and everything, and disregard tradition in a negative sense (i.e. "traditionalism").
Both sectors, and anyone would do themselves and everyone in the Church and outside a great service.
July 8, 2018
Com certeza, a apresentação preparada pela editora tornou a leitura do documento mais clara, mostrando de onde a constituição parte e onde quer chegar. A reforma da Sagrada Liturgia da Igreja Católica teve como um dos propósitos facilitar a participação ativa e frutuosa dos fiéis. A simplificação dos ritos, o uso da língua vernácula e a abundância da Palavra de Deus foram apenas das algumas mudanças realizadas. Foi ressaltada a importância de se dar vida aos ritos, lembrando que a "comunicação litúrgica é comunicação com o divino." .
"Pois [a Sagrada Liturgia] é a primeira e necessária fonte, da qual os fiéis haurem os espírito verdadeiramente cristão." (SC 14)
"Pois [a Sagrada Liturgia] é a primeira e necessária fonte, da qual os fiéis haurem os espírito verdadeiramente cristão." (SC 14)
June 6, 2014
This is helpful in understanding the wholesale destruction of the Church. He made a lot of excellent points and suggestions, but he was too vague in the same way that the counsel was too vague - thus the liberal groups were able to hijack the reform and turn it into something other than what was truly intended. Also Pope Paul VI was a Protestant at heart in some ways. It's because of this writing that we no longer have statues in our churches, and in many cases you can't tell the difference between a Catholic or Protestant church. It's because of his offensive idea that we needed to "restore" the Liturgy to it's "traditional" form that we lost what was actually our tradion - and this idea of restoration didn't just stop at the Liturgy - he wanted to 'restore tradition' in every sphere of Catholic life, but instead he and the counsel destroyed our identity through their misguided archaeologism. We will recover, but it will take a very long time. If they had undertaken a true reform rather than a false 'restoration' we wouldn't be in the mess we've been dealing with for the past 50 years.
April 19, 2022
Vote: 4,00
Class: P-A1 (FP)
(Costituzione sulla Liturgia del Concilio Vaticano II)
Nella liturgia terrena noi partecipiamo per anticipazione alla liturgia celeste che viene celebrata nella santa città di Gerusalemme, verso la quale tendiamo come pellegrini, dove il Cristo siede alla destra di Dio.
Lungimirante rinnovamento della liturgia della Chiesa che, come sempre, “estrae dal suo tesoro cose nuove e cose vecchie".
Nonostante i dolorosi fraintendimenti e gli errori anche gravi a seguito di incomprensioni dello spirito del testo da parte di alcuni, questo documento è stato e sarà una pietra miliare nella storia della Chiesa.
Per un cattolico è un documento da conoscere e meditare a fondo.
[La Chiesa cattolica] in Maria ammira ed esalta il frutto più eccelso della redenzione, ed in lei contempla con gioia, come in una immagine purissima, ciò che essa desidera e spera di essere nella sua interezza
Class: P-A1 (FP)
(Costituzione sulla Liturgia del Concilio Vaticano II)
Nella liturgia terrena noi partecipiamo per anticipazione alla liturgia celeste che viene celebrata nella santa città di Gerusalemme, verso la quale tendiamo come pellegrini, dove il Cristo siede alla destra di Dio.
Lungimirante rinnovamento della liturgia della Chiesa che, come sempre, “estrae dal suo tesoro cose nuove e cose vecchie".
Nonostante i dolorosi fraintendimenti e gli errori anche gravi a seguito di incomprensioni dello spirito del testo da parte di alcuni, questo documento è stato e sarà una pietra miliare nella storia della Chiesa.
Per un cattolico è un documento da conoscere e meditare a fondo.
[La Chiesa cattolica] in Maria ammira ed esalta il frutto più eccelso della redenzione, ed in lei contempla con gioia, come in una immagine purissima, ciò che essa desidera e spera di essere nella sua interezza
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