Touchstones of Vatican II from RoncalliCenter
June 21,1963 Giovanni Battista Antonio Maria Montini, 65, archbishop of Milan became Pope Paul VI, assuming the task of VII Council. The Mass of Paul VI and subsequent VII documents completed the task that John XXIII began at the Council's onset. Amid numerous challenges that continue to exist, St. Paul VI brought the Second Vatican Council to its conclusion. The Spirit continues to move us in ways unforeseen and takes us by surprise. Throughout the Vatican II documents and ensuing writings based on the Documents, God continues to move in ways unforeseen. In plain language, the Church (the people of God) in communioin with the institution continues to resound the mantra that opened the Council, "Rejoice Mother Church!"
April 18 VII document Nostra aetate resonates timely post 9/11 era reason & compassion. Reconciliation serves as the agent of grace here & now.
April 18 VII's Decree on Ecumenism made possible shared prayer like today's gathering @ Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston. May we be one. (Jn 17:21)
April 18 Prayers 4 people, victims & town of Waco, Texas. "The grief & anguish of poor & afflicted are the grief & anguish of all Christians." GS1
April 18 Eliminate weapons of violence, eradicate conflict & division, create new approaches of reform in a way worthy of humanity. GS 81, #armsrace
April 18 Political systems cease 2 exercise authority in interest of common good but rather in self interest of a particular faction.GS73 #gunlawfail
April 18 Great survey of What Happened at Vatican II from the book's author John O'Malley, courtesy of Vanderbuilt University. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipOsyg_DGYU
John Paul I
After the death of Pope Paul VI, the electoral college chose Cardinal Albino Luciani, patriarch of Venice, the name John Paul I, known as "the smiling pope," lifting some of the gloom that haunted Pope Paul VI at the end of his papacy.
The new pope took the names of his two immediate predecessors as a sign of respect for both, while choosing as his papal motto the same one he’d had as a bishop—Humilitas.
Unfortunately, while being a warm, intelligent and pastoral pope, John Paul I suffered from serious health conditions. His papacy lasted only 33 days later. During his pre-papal years, Cardinal Luciani addressed many religious and social issues, such as fiscal assistance to children with disabilities and encouraged presbyters to do likewise. He also established family counseling clinics to help poor people deal with marital and financial problems and opposed the idea of worker priests (priests who would hold factory jobs alongside the workers they sought to evangelize), threatened disciplinary measures for priests who supported the communist party, and suspended some priests who endorsed the liberalization of divorce in Italy.
About religious freedom as Vatican II had endorsed it, he said: “The choice of religious belief must be free. The freer and more earnest the choice, the more those that embrace the faith will feel honored. These are rights, natural rights. Rights always come hand in hand with duties. The non-Catholics have the right to profess their religion and I have the duty to respect their right as a private citizen, as a priest, as a bishop, and as a state.”
On becoming pope, John Paul I laid out a six-point program for his pontificate: renew the church by implementing the Second Vatican Council; complete the revision of the Code of Canon Law; remind Catholics of their duty to preach the Gospel; promote religious unity without compromising doctrine; foster dialogue; and seek world peace and social justice.
It was a good plan, but he did not live to see it carried out.
He experienced severe pain several times during the day Sept. 28 but refused to see a doctor. Around 5:30 a.m. the following morning, one of the papal apartment’s nun-housekeepers found him dead: in bed, nightstand light on, with reading material—perhaps the spiritual classic “The Imitation of Christ,” perhaps the text of a talk he was supposed to give that day—still in his hand. Death, it appears, was the result of a pulmonary embolism.
The process that could lead one day to the church’s formal recognition of Pope John Paul I as a saint began in 1990, and Pope Francis beatified him Sept. 4, 2022. In his homily, Pope Francis encouraged us to pray in his predecessor’s own words: “Lord take me as I am, with my defects, with my shortcomings, but make me become what you want me to be.”
St.John Paul II
Following the death of John Paul I, born Karol Wojtyła was elected and chose the name John Paul II on 1978 May, 18. His papacy lasted until his death in 2005.
John Paul II attempted to improve the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the spirit of ecumenism, holding atheism as the greatest threat. He maintained the Church's previous positions on such matters as abortion, artificial contraception, the ordination of women, and a celibate clergy, and although he supported the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, he was seen as generally conservative in their interpretation.[21][22] He put emphasis on family and identity, while questioning consumerism, hedonism and the pursuit of wealth. He was one of the most travelled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate.
As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, John Paul II beatified 1,344,[23] and also canonized 483 people, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries. By the time of his death, he had named most of the College of Cardinals, consecrated or co-consecrated many of the world's bishops, and ordained many priests.[24] He has been credited with fighting against dictatorships for democracy and with helping to end communist rule in his native Poland and the rest of Europe.[25] Under John Paul II, the Catholic Church greatly expanded its influence in Africa and Latin America and retained its influence in Europe and the rest of the world.
On 19 December 2009 John Paul II was proclaimed venerable by his successor, Benedict XVI, and on 1 May 2011 (Divine Mercy Sunday) he was beatified. On 27 April 2014 he was canonised together with John XXIII.[26] Posthumously he has been referred to by some Catholics as "Pope St. John Paul the Great", though that title has no official recognition.[27] He has been criticised for allegedly, as archbishop, having condoned the sexual abuse of children by priests in Poland,[28] though the allegations themselves have been criticized.[29][30]
Under John Paul II, the two most important constitutions of the contemporary Catholic Church were drafted and put in force: the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which, among many things, began an effort to curb sexual abuse in the Catholic Church; and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which among other things clarified the Church's position on homosexuality. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_II
Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI (Latin: Benedictus PP. XVI; Italian: Benedetto XVI; German: Benedikt XVI; born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger; 16 April 1927 – 31 December 2022) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28 February 2013. Benedict's election as pope occurred in the 2005 papal conclave that followed the death of Pope John Paul II. Benedict chose to be known as "Pope emeritus" upon his resignation, and he retained this title until his death in 2022.
Ordained as a priest in 1951 in his native Bavaria, Ratzinger embarked on an academic career and established himself as a highly regarded theologian by the late 1950s. He was appointed a full professor in 1958 at the age of 31. After a long career as a professor of theology at several German universities, he was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising and created a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1977, an unusual promotion for someone with little pastoral experience. In 1981, he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, one of the most important dicasteries of the Roman Curia. From 2002 until he was elected pope, he was also Dean of the College of Cardinals. Before becoming pope, he had been "a major figure on the Vatican stage for a quarter of a century"; he had had an influence "second to none when it came to setting church priorities and directions" as one of John Paul II's closest confidants.
Benedict's writings were prolific and generally defended traditional Catholic doctrine, values, and liturgy. He was originally a liberal theologian but adopted conservative views after 1968.[13] During his papacy, Benedict advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increased secularisation of many Western countries. He viewed relativism's denial of objective truth, and the denial of moral truths in particular, as the central problem of the 21st century. Benedict also revived several traditions, including the Tridentine Mass.[14] He strengthened the relationship between the Catholic Church and art, promoted the use of Latin,[15] and reintroduced traditional papal vestments, for which reason he was called "the pope of aesthetics".[16] Benedict's handling of sexual abuse cases within the Catholic Church and opposition to usage of condoms in areas of high HIV transmission led to substantial criticism from public health officials, anti-AIDS activists, and victim's rights organizations.
On 11 February 2013, Benedict announced his (effective 28 February 2013) resignation, citing a "lack of strength of mind and body" due to his advanced age. His resignation was the first by a pope since Gregory XII in 1415, and the first on a pope's initiative since Celestine V in 1294. He was succeeded by Francis on 13 March 2013 and moved into the newly renovated Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City for his retirement. In addition to his native German language, Benedict had some level of proficiency in French, Italian, English, and Spanish. He also knew Portuguese, Latin, Biblical Hebrew, and Biblical Greek. He was a member of several social science academies, such as the French Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques. He played the piano and had a preference for Mozart and Bach.
The Two Popes written by Anthony McCarten and directed by Fernando Meirelles, based on the play The Pope by Anthony McCarten is a film based on the interaction between Benedict XVI Pope Francis I prior to Benedict’s resignation. Insightful and entertaining film. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Benedict_XVI
Pope Francis I
Francis I, (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) was born on December 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina). He was elected Bishop of Rome and leader of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013 and remains so today. He is the first pope from South America as well as the first from the Jesuit order.
Bergoglio trained as a chemist but after much discernment, studied philosophy and theology and was ordained a priest in 1969. He became the head of Argentina’s Jesuit order in 1973, and became archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. When Benedict XVI resigned from the papacy in 2013 because of age and health concerns, Bergoglio was elected pope and took the name Francis.
3.19.13
2.23.13 Reflections on Fr.James Martin's Together on Retreat, on Evangelization in the Modern World & Lent. Nothing =Nothing
http://roncallicenter.org/blog/2013/2/23/nothing-nothing.html/
2.20.13 EVANGELII NUNTIANDI (On Evangelization In The Modern World) Pope Paul VI,
2.20.13 In our day, what has happened to that hidden energy of the Good News, which is able to have a powerful effect on conscience? Evangeli Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern World). Paul VI
2.20.13 "To what extent and in what way is that evangelical force capable of really transforming the people of this century?" EMW, Paul VI.
2.20.13 What methods will empower the Gospel's effect? Is Church better equipped 2 proclaim Gospel conviction, freedom of spirit & effectiveness?PVI
2.20.13 "We can all see the urgency of giving a loyal, humble and courageous answer to this question, and of acting accordingly." EMW, PVI. Act now.
2.19.13 Vatican II redefined a bishop's role, yet office of the bishop of Rome is unreformed. Exit Signs.http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/exit-signs-1
2.19.13 During Lent penance & reconciliation should be individual, external, social and encouraged. SC110. Find ways at A Concord Pastor at http://concordpastor.blogspot.com/via@ConcordPastor
2/13/13 A winner by Fr. James Martin, S_J. We love this! Be Kind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90g8fVNkPPU&sns=tw … via @youtube
2/11/2013 Prayers for Pope Benedict XVI as he retires from papacy.
2/6/2013 Nemo blizzard: pray for fishermen, police & fire agents, snow removers, health care & agents, homeless & all who care for them. Stay safe.
2/5/2013 Great fun. How to Write a Worship Song (In 5 Minutes or Less) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhYuA0Cz8ls&sns=tw … via @youtube
2/5/2013 Worth Reading: French Bishops On Love and Gay Marriagehttp://thejesuitpost.org/site/2013/02/worth-reading-the-french-bishops-on-love-and-gay-marriage/ …
2/5/2013 "Social media does not exempt us from the standards of human dignity." The new agora: social medihttp://roncallicenter.org/blog/2013/1/29/the-new-agora-social-media.html/
1/24/13 "Be who you are and be that well." St. Francis de Sales.
1/24/13 "Although the sacred liturgy is principally the worship of the divine majesty it like contains much instruction for the faithful." SC 33
1/24/13 Free and reproducable liturgical tool from FDLC: Mystagogical Reflection on the Collects of the RM3. http://www.fdlc.org/Mystagogy/default.htm
1/22/13 Peace is more than absence of war but an effect of right order & thirst for justice. G&S "Who will hear our voice?" NCR http://ncronline.org/node/43326/
1/22/13 "We are created in God's image, share Christ's nature & divine calling and destiny. Basic equality for all." G&S. Include the unborn.
1/22/13 Self evident truths: We are endowed by the Creator with unalienable rights: life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness. Unborn included.
1/19/13 "New approaches based on reforms will give peace." GS 81Vatican Welcomes Obama Gun Control Proposal http://huff.to/11GF97i via @HuffPostRelig
1/19/13 "The first and most necessary gift is charity." LG 42 Lance Armstrong and the Human Need for Grace. Via Huffpost Religion. http://huff.to/11EQsN9
1/16/13 Fanning the flame of VII: This sacred Council desires to impart an ever increasing vigor to the Christian life of the faithful. SC 1
1/16/13 Fanning the flame of VII: This sacred Council desires to adapt more suitable to the needs of our own times those institutions which are subject to change.
1/16/13 Fanning the flame of VII: This sacred Council desires to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ.
1/16/ 13 Fanning the flame of VII: This sacred Council desires 2 strengthen whatever helps 2 call the whole of mankind into the household of Church. SC 1
1/16/13 Fanning the flame of VIIThe Council therefore sees particularly cogent reasons for undertaking the reform and promotion of the liturgy. SC 1
1/16/13 Establish political life on a human basis: encourage an interior sense of justice, good will & service 2 the common good. GS 73
1/16/13 Prayers for the American President, leaders of nations and all who impact the common good. May we be one peoples under God.
1/14/13 Major principle of Vatican II Council: We believe in the inherent goodness of the world and all people. Christ will restore all to himself.
1/14/13 Several keys of VII Council: liturgical renewal, full emphasis on scripture, Church as the people of God, restoration of the catechumenate.
1/14/ More keys of VII Council: restoring permanent diaconate, authority as service of love, ecclesial collegiality, ecumenism, religious liberty.
1/14/13 VII teachings are grounded in sacred scripture and present an updated vision of the Church and its role to restore all things to Christ.
1/14/13 "Documents of Vatican II are a compass with which to orient ourselves in the vast ocean of the third millennium." Blessed John Paul II
1/14/13 "Vatican II documents remain timeless. Their teachings are especially pertinent to the new needs of the Church and globalized society." BXVI
1/1/13 Mission of the Church: People of God inserted into the history of humankind, entering into a true dialogue with world in the Gospel spirit.
1/1/13 Between Incarnation & Parousia, Church rediscovers her place in midst of humanity & cosmos: not reign of God attained but saving sacrament.
12/31/12 VII Touchstone and fiscal cliff: Christians engaged in economic, social progress & struggle for justice & charity contribute 2 prosperity of humanity.GS 72
12/31/12 VII Touchstone: VII: Let them give a shining example to others with skill and experience,sense of values inspired by spirit of poverty.GS 72
12/31/12 May all involved in fiscal cliff decisions be motivated to help all their brothers and sisters in justice, inspired by charity. GS 72
12/29/12 Anniversary of The Massacre of Native Americans at Wounded Knee, South Dakota (1890). Respect for the human family & reconciliation.GS
12/29/12 "Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, bless God's name. He comes with justice and right." Psalm 98. David, c 970, Roman martyrology.
12/29/12 VII & fiscal cliff: Faith casts new light on everything, makes known God's ideal for us, guides minds toward fully human solutions. GS 11
12/29 Memorial: Thomas Becket, patron of the legal system. Pray for Congress as they address the fiscal cliff. Justice & truth, the bottom line.
12/28/12 The Holy Innocents "A voice heard in Rama, weeping & great mourning. Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they are no more." Mt 2:18
12/28/12 Feast of John the Evangelist -- VII Touchstone: Dei Verbum Prologue: "Hearing the word of God reverently and proclaiming it confidently, this holy synod makes its own the words of St. John." 1Jn1:2-3
12/27/12 VII & fiscal cliff: Faith casts new light on everything, makes known God's ideal for us, guides minds toward fully human solutions. GS 11
12.27.12 Feast of John, apostle, evangelist What we have heard, seen with our eyes, looked upon & our hands have touched -life.
12.26.12 Stephen, first martyr (c.34). Deacon, servant and helper, welcoming witness of peace, love, justice in life and death.
12/26/12 Les Miserables. Penned by God through Hugo's writing, this musical film art accesses grace in mercy, justice, forgiveness & love. Recommend!
12/25/12 " A voice is heard in Rama, crying and weeping, Rachel weeping for her children." Continue to pray this night for the people of Newtown, CT.
12/25/12 Because of his boundless love, Jesus became what we are that he might make us to be what he is. Iranaeus, 3rd century. Christmas blessings.
12/24/12 Poignant liturgical environment, robust celebration in word and song, generous collection. Full conscious & active participation = Xmas joy.
12/24/12 Come Lord Jesus to all who hurt tonight, work tonight, go hungry tonight, despair tonight, are alone tonight, who mourn tonight. Come.Amen.
12/21/12 "Lord, you see my unworthiness; help me, you are my hope." December 20, 1902, Journey of a Soul
12/21/12 "Today I have done badly. What else could I have expected? Tomorrow, more attention and more trust in God." Angelo Roncalli, Dec 20,1902 Journey of a Soul
12/21/12 "God is all: I am nothing. Let this do for today." Angelo Roncalli, December 16, 1902 from Journey of a Soul, p 96.
12/21/12 VII Touchstone: The Gospels are our principal source & the life and teaching of the incarnate Word, our Saviour. Christ, our truth. DV 18,19
12/21/12 VII Touchstone:For when the time had fully come (Gal.4:4), the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (Jn 1:14) DV 17
12/20/12 VII: Freedom is often crippled by extreme destitution and can also wither in ivory-tower isolation brought on by overindulgence.GS 31
12/20/12 VII Touchstone: Freedom is strengthened by accepting inevitable constraints of social life, undertake demands of human relationships & service. GS 31
12/19/12 VII Touchstone: Peace is the practice of respect & friendliness and the fruit of love, which goes beyond what justice can achieve. GS 78
12/19/12 VII Touchstone: Peace cannot be achieved on earth until we safeguard people's welfare in mutual trust, freely sharing our minds & gifts.GS78
12/17/12 VII Touchstone: Pastoral liturgical action calls for an enthusiastic restoration of liturgy as sign of God's providence in our time. SC 43
12/17/12 VII Touchstone: Sign of the Spirit in contemporary religious thought & action: liturgical competency & pastoral collaboration. SC 43-46
12/17/12 Critical turn in U.S. Church: Evangelization key to new pastoral plan in Boston | National Catholic Reporter: http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/evangelization-key-new-pastoral-plan-boston#.UM9Tw88G67k.twitter …
Other tweets on Feast of St.Lucy, 12/13/12
St. Lucy, courtesy of Mary MacArthur, Catholic Illustrators Guild. Reminiscent of Ghost of Xmas past. Parallels drawn?pic.twitter.com/GkskNDh2
St. Lucy's Lights, meteor Geminid shower/ Look for lights before dawn, 50 meteors an hour, the shooting stars of God.pic.twitter.com/lbManLEb
12/13/12 Gaudium et Spes: connecting faith & justice, solidarity with the poor & all things that pursue the common good. God's reign.
12/13/12 Laity, living instruments of mission of church, salt of the earth & called to make the church present and fruitful. LG 33
12/12/12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mary stands out among the poor and humble of the Lord who confidently hope for & receive salvation from him. LG 45 Holy Mary, pray for us.
12/10/12: Roncalli on the Road: Vatican II Council 50 years later. Advent retreat, St. Anthony's Church, Mattapoisett, MA. See RC website for details.
12/10/12: Advent reflection: With labor pains, God pushes through the narrow birth canal of darkness & into a great Light that shines in the darkness.
12/10/12: Christ is the light of nations as the Church: sacrament, sign and instrument of communion with God & the human race. LG 1
12/10/12: Spirit dwells in the church & in hearts of the faithful as in a temple, prays & bears witness in them as God's children. LG 4
12/8/12: Mary stands out among the poor and humble of the Lord, who confidently hope and receive salvation from God. Rejoice, O Daughter Zion! LG 55
12/8/12: From the instant of conception with the splendor of unique holiness, the virgin from Nazareth is hailed by the angel as full of grace. LG 56
12/7/12: Change, renewal, new developments within the Church come slowly and inevitably, with human struggle. The Spirit is at work.
12/7/12: In liturgical matters, emphasize a deeper appreciation of liturgical values, rethinking the Church's life of worship.
12/7/12: Emphasize community leading to action in the world and the church's role in transforming the world into the reign of God.
12/7/12: Regard for culture & diversity, adapt & encourage appropriate local custom and tradition where church exists or is planted.
12/6/12: Regard for all non-Christian faith traditions and the freedom of each human heart to choose its own path to God.
12/6/12: Christian unity creating a bridge on those beliefs that gather us into the household of the church, not divide us.
12/4/12: Hallmarks of SC: Mass in vernacular, presider and altar facing assembly, dialogue between assembly and presider, scriptures proclaimed.
12/4/12: 49th anniversary Sacrosanctum Concilium by Vatican II. Full conscious and active participation of liturgy by people at worship. SC 14
11/30/12: Scripture based church in liturgy theology and spirituality. At one table, word of God & body of Christ, all are fed. DV 21.
11/30/12: Spirit of God fully present & active in cultures, peoples, interactions, society, inviting respect & truth in our world.
11/29/12: A well informed conscience is a sanctuary between a person and God, sacred terrain where no one can control or interfere.
11/29/12: God desires to save all people, doing so through an active Spirit in the diversity of peoples & communities in the world.
11/29/12: Shared ecclesial ministry between ordained and lay pastoral ministers by virtue of the baptismal call to mission, service.
11/29/12: Full, conscious, active participation in liturgical and communal celebrations with collegiality and hospitality.
11/29/12: Church as mystery, the whole people of God called to holiness by virtue of their baptism to take on Christ, mind & heart.
11/28/12: "The Lord be with you." "And with your spirit." Today marks the one year anniversary of the implementation of the new Roman Missal.
11/28/12: It is the world as the theater of human history, bearing the marks of its travail, its triumphs and failures." GS 2 Christ in the world.
11/28/12: "The world which the council has in mind is the world of women and men, the entire human family seen in its total environment." G&S 2
11/28/12: Spare no effort to banish every vestige of social and political slavery & to safeguard basic human rights under every political system. G&S 29
11/28/12: "It is for public and private organizations to be at the service of the dignity and destiny of humanity." Gaudium et Spes, 29
11/27/12: "Physical violence, armed might, and political domination provide no solution to the serious problems that affect us." JXXIII
11/27/12: "The council now beginning rises in the Church like daybreak, a forerunner of most splendid light. It is now only dawn." John XXIII, 1959
11/27/12: Reclaiming the treasures in the wisdom of the past and possibilities for the future, the spirit of the Council.
11/27/12: Increase vigor of Christian life; adapt to the needs of the times; foster Christian unity; gather humanity into the church.
11/27/12: Essential elements of SC: In the liturgy, it is the whole assembly that celebrates, lay people who possess a baptismal priesthood.
11/25/12: "The council now beginning rises in the Church like the daybreak, a forerunner of most splendid light." John XXIII Happy birthday Papa Roncalli
11/25/12: Pastoral council; outreach to all Christians & the whole world; revitalize the church. Mission continues: Christ.
11/25/12: "There is only one fount of revelation, the Word of God, the good news announced by prophets and revealed by Christ." Vatican II, Dei Verbum
11/24/12: "The liturgy is the means whereby the faithful may express in their lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ." SC 2 Happy feast!
11/23/12: Leitmotif for a new age and era in the Church: renewal,development, return to the source. 50 years post Counci, principles resound witness.
11/23/12: Increase vigor of faithful Christians;foster Christian unity; adapt to modern needs; draw all into household of Church. SC1
11/22/12: "The musical tradition of the universal church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art." SC112