Learning about Vatican II

Pope John XXIII

The Second Vatican Council lasted from 1962 to 1965. Pope John XXIII initiated the idea for the council and presided over part of it until his death in 1963. His successor Pope Paul VI took over the role and finished the council two years later. In essence, the decisions that resulted from the Second Vatican Council shaped the Church into what it is today.

Pope Paul VI

Persons interested in learning in greater detail about what happened during the Second Vatican Council attended a three part lecture series titled “History and Documents of Vatican II” at the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio this month. The first lecture took place on May 12. It covered “Pope John XXIII and the Aggiornamento” or spirit of openness that was prevalent during the Council.  A week late lecture participants learned about “Documents on Liturgy and Scripture”; a week after that they covered “Documents on the Nature and Mission of the Church”. Friar John Stowe – rector of the Basilica – delivered all three lectures.

(Source of all related images on webpage and homepage: wikipedia.org.)