vatican council

When the Council opened in October 11th, 1962, the first subject to be treated was the liturgy. By this time, the preparatory commission and the council fathers had the advantage of being able to draw from the expertise on liturgical matters from the liturgical movement. In fact, since 1948, Pius XII had established a liturgical […]

The study of church history has deep implications in the way I experience life as a catholic. One such important implication is the awareness of the fact that our understanding of the tenets of faith develops over time. It comes as a surprise to the uninitiated in church history that even certain things held in […]

The reforms ultimately adopted by the papal commission were guided by five principles illustrated by the papal bull Quo Primum: “First, a single rite for mass and office is to be used throughout the church. Second, the antiquity, quality, and probity of the missal’s contents are to be guaranteed by the work of scholars. Third, […]

The liturgy of the Church has often been described as an organic unity, followed by the assertion that the liturgy, as with any living organism, experiences development and change.1 Many people were disappointed in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council, because of the radically different liturgies that emerged following the implementation of the decrees […]

Next year in October will be the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. In its observance, we’re sure to see a lot of discussion and reflections about its history, teaching, legacy, etc. In the following weeks I would like to post my contribution to the discussion in the form of a […]