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This Sacred Council:  Exploring the Documents of the Second Vatican Council

CSS is pleased to bring you this short study series exploring the Opening Speech and first document, Dei Verbum from the Second Vatican Council.  Most Catholics are familiar with Vatican II and have likely heard the phrase, "…in the spirit of Vatican II…".  However, few Catholics have actually read the documents.  Consequently, the "Spirit of Vatican II" has come to mean many different things depending upon the source.   We encourage all Catholics to take the time to study these important documents for themselves to discover the ideas that accurately reflect the Council teachings.

This Sacred Council Four Volume Set

Normally sells for $14.95 per volume. This four volume set sells for $49.80, a $10 savings!

Set includes:

Volume I: Opening Speech and Dei Verbum

Volume II:  Lumen Gentium

Volume III:  Sacrosanctum Concilium

Volume IV:  Apostolicam Actuositatem

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Pope John XXIII's opening speech laid the foundation for the Council and addressed the the questions such as why the Council had been called, what goals the Council Fathers were to achieve and the relationship to past councils. The Opening Address provies valuable insight into the "mind of the Church"

Dei Verbum, the Word of God, presents Church teaching concerning the ways God has revealed Himself to mankind, the nature of Sacred Scripture and Tradition and the manner God has provided for interpretation and preservation of His revelation without error for all time.

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Lumen Gentium, "Light of the Nations", is one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council. This document examines what Blessed Pope John Paul II tells us  is the primary question of the Council, "Church, what do you say of yourself?"The Council fathers examine the inner nature of the Church and that their approach would be one of continuity and faithfulness to the teachings of previous councils.

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Sacrosanctum Concilium which means "This Sacred Council" has several aims in view: it desires to impart an ever increasing vigor to the Christian life of the faithful; to adapt more suitably to the needs of our own times those institutions which are subject to change; to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ; and to strengthen whatever can help to call the whole of mankind into the household of the Church. The Council therefore sees particularly cogent reasons for undertaking the reform and promotion of the liturgy.

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Volume IV examines two Council documents.

Apostolicam Actuositatem, or Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, focuses on the nature and role of lay service in the life of the Church. What is the Church's mission? How is man's relationship with God expressed and lived out in his relationship with the Church?  How can the laity participate most effectively in the mission of the Church?

Ad Gentes, or Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church focuses on the unique character and requirement of the Church's missionary activity.

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