Sacrosanctum Concilium Quotes

“The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services. But other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded from liturgical celebrations, so long as they accord with the spirit of the liturgical action.”
― Pope Paul VI, Sacrosanctum Concilium: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

“In accordance with the centuries-old tradition of the Latin rite, the Latin language is to be retained by clerics in the divine office.”
― Pope Paul VI, Sacrosanctum Concilium: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

“Regulation of the sacred liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church, that is, on the Apostolic See and, as laws may determine, on the bishop. In virtue of power conceded by the law, the regulation of the liturgy within certain defined limits belongs also to various kinds of competent territorial bodies of bishops legitimately established. Therefore no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority.”
― Pope Paul VI, Sacrosanctum Concilium: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

“Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites.”
― Second Vatican Council, Sacrosanctum Concilium: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

“The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows. For the aim and object of apostolic works is that all who are made sons of God by faith and baptism should come together to praise God in the midst of His Church, to take part in the sacrifice, and to eat the Lord's supper.”
― Pope Paul VI, Sacrosanctum Concilium: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

“But in order that the liturgy may be able to produce its full effects, it is necessary that the faithful come to it with proper dispositions, that their minds should be attuned to their voices, and that they should cooperate with divine grace lest they receive it in vain. Pastors of souls must therefore realize that, when the liturgy is celebrated, something more is required than the mere observation of the laws governing valid and licit celebration; it is their duty also to ensure that the faithful take part fully aware of what they are doing, actively engaged in the rite, and enriched by its effects.”
― Second Vatican Council, Sacrosanctum Concilium: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy