As we approach the Season of Lent and strive more fully to enter into the celebration of the Eucharist, in which the very presence of the death and resurrection of the Lord is found, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the principals found in the introduction of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of Vatican Council II. This is the first of two weeks reflection. I have written little statements in between the text of the Council. My remarks are in italic script.
Fr. Steve Adrian
Sacrosanctum Concilium – Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy – Second Vatican Council
Promulgated by His Holiness Pope Paul VI On December 4, 1963
INTRODUCTION
This Sacred Council has several aims in view:
These four objectives are the focus of the whole Council. We have here an outline of the Council’s work.
it desires to impart an ever increasing vigor to the Christian life of the faithful; grow deeper in our faith;
The first aim of the Council is internal—that you and I grow in our Christian lives.
to adapt more suitably to the needs of our own times those institutions which are subject to change;
The second aim is to reform the structures of the Church.
to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ;
The third aim is to foster ecumenical union of all Christian churches. Notice: Here, for the first time, Rome refers to Protestant communities as “churches” and not “sects” or “our separated brethren.”.
to strengthen whatever can help to call all humanity into the household of the Church.
The fourth aim is to embark on a strong evangelism effort through out the world. The implication being that the Church is eager to adapt to the cultures and traditions other than European and American.
The Council therefore sees particularly cogent reasons for undertaking the reform and promotion of the Liturgy.
The Council affirms that the primary means to achieve these aims is through a reformed liturgy.
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