Vatican II: The Essential Texts

Documents of the Second Vatican Council

by Second Vatican Council, Norman P. Tanner (Editor), Pope Benedict XVI (Introduction)

By encouraging engagement with the modern world and a refocusing of traditional teaching, the Second Vatican Council brought new life into the practice of Catholicism. The council's impact on the Church is still playing out today, and with many current church issues finding their roots in differing interpretations of Vatican II it has never lost relevance. Vatican The Essential Texts brings together the key documents of the council.
 
As the council is commemorated on its 50th Anniversary, readers will be returning to these source materials to understand the Church's developing positions on its relationship with the secular world and other religions, the role of lay people, human rights and the common good, the liturgy and other still highly relevant issues. In addition to the introductions from Pope Benedict and James Carroll, the documents will also be accompanied by brief historical prefaces from Professor Edward Hahnenberg.

Genres: Catholic, Theology, Nonfiction, Religion

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 4, 2010

About the author

The 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.

Reviews

[J]

The rating is only 3* because the supplemental materials (other than Benedict's excellent introduction) are insanely modernist and deliberately misinterpret the texts they are supposed to be presenting. Well produced package otherwise but avoid if you're looking for good commentary.

[Tom Willis]

I think this is the only collection of Vatican II documents in print currently. It does indeed gather the "essential texts," which every Catholic today should at least attempt to familiarize themselves with. The translation is very readable, although I have encountered some serious disparity between this and other translations.

The editors made the peculiar choice not to capitalize the words "Catholic" and "Christian," as well as the word "Holy" in 'Holy Spirit'. I'm not sure why.

I didn't read the introduction by James Carol.

[Samantha]

This was a very informative book. I do not have a strong religious background so I was able to learn many new things from this book. I strongly recommend Vatican II: The Essential Texts to anyone who is wanting to learn a little bit more about church history.

[Rachel]

The introductory article from James Carroll is extremely problematic and ought to be skipped. However, the introduction by Pope Benedict XVI and the Council documents themselves are good and holy, and ought to be taken to heart.

[NVTony]

Most interesting book. Recommend to anyone interested in Church history. Author knows his subject.

[Nathan Suire]

Essential reading for anyone desiring to know what the Catholic Church officially teaches today.

[Susan]

essential for understanding the church in the 21st century

[Dave Brandt]

It is empowering to know was Vatican 2 was REALLY about.

[BridgetteB]

This book was a slow and difficult read, peppered with verses from the Bible and section titles in Latin. It was very interesting though, and still very much applicable today. I learned a lot.

[Jessica Joyce]

Had to read for class, could be confusing at times but overall really good and provides good perspectives of the church.

[Jon]

I read the Documents years ago but can't remember what edition. So I'll let this one stand in lieu. It is a formidable body of Christian apologia in general and of course an up-to-date outline of the state of the union, or communion rather. I read it specifically so I could define more clearly why I wasn't Roman Catholic. Ultimately it boiled down to its conception of the Eucharist and Mary. There are perhaps better and shorter Catholic authored treatises defining Roman Catholicism, many of them available free online. This is just the one I chose, and I read it before the internet had really gotten on its feet.

[Anette Hillegass]

Very informative and very well written.

[allison]

if I ignore the misogyny this kinda slayed