Vatican II Documents of
Sacrosanctum Concilium
Constitutions on the Sacred Liturgy by Dianne Rachal
Introduction to Vatican II On January 25, 1959, only three months after his election as pope, John XXIII announced his plans for an ecumenical council, the 21st general council in the history of the Catholic Church. The Second Vatican Council formally began on October 11, 1962 and during the next four years over 2,500 bishops and theologians gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica to debate the future of Catholicism. Vatican II was a time of spiritual renewal, a “new Pentecost” that invigorated the Church for its mission in the world. According to John XXIII, the church needed aggiornamento— “updating”—not because the Church felt threatened, as was the case with previous councils, but because the Church desired to share Christ with all people. The second movement of the Council was ressourcement, “return to the sources,” which included the study by historical theologians in the areas of Scripture, liturgy and theologians of the past. The work of the bishops at Vatican II revolved around drafting, debating, amending and approving documents. Before Vatican II convened, preparatory commissions drafted more than 70 papers that were presented to the bishops at the beginning of Vatican II, but these papers were defensive, textbook-like, and aimed at maintaining the status quo. The first order of business for the bishops was approval of a proposal to delay the electing of candidates to the various council committees so that bishops could draw up their own list of candidates instead of rubber-stamping the list given to them. Since there was nothing else on the agenda, the first meeting of the Second Vatican Council was adjourned after only 15 minutes! With broader representation 14 Catholic Connection
on the Council commissions, almost all of the prepared drafts were either rejected, completely rewritten or revised. In the end, 16 documents were produced that reflected a new vision for the Church in the modern world. The 16 documents of Vatican II are divided into four constitutions, nine decrees and three declarations. The constitutions treat doctrinal issues that pertain to the very nature of the Church: liturgy, revelation and the Church in the modern world. Decrees and declarations take up more practical questions or specific areas of pastoral concern. Every document passed with overwhelming majorities—more than half passed with fewer than 10 dissenting votes.
The presidents of the Second Vatican Council are pictured during a council meeting inside St. Peter’s Basilica. (CNS file photo)
Sacrosanctum Concilium Liturgy was the first topic debated at Vatican II, and the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy was the first document to be ratified. Of all the draft documents prepared in advance of the Council, the one on the liturgy was in the best shape. This draft was the result of decades of liturgical historical study and renewal. Fr. Annibale Bugnini, architect of the document, was secretary for the Preparatory Liturgical Commission and a strong proponent of the liturgical movement. During the 15 days of debate on the liturgy the topics that generated the most intense debate were: 1. The use of the vernacular in the liturgy. 2. Whether priests should be allowed to concelebrate Mass. 3. If the laity should be allowed to receive consecrated wine along with the bread. 4. What the role of bishops’ conferences should be in allowing for local adaption. Discussion on these topics revealed a split among the bishops between a majority open to reform and a minority opposed to change. While the minority
was very vocal during the debate, it was not clear just how large the minority opposition was until Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani’s speech ran over the allotted time and his microphone was turned off. Most of the bishops responded with resounding applause giving a clear sign that they did not agree with the minority position. The first vote on the draft of the liturgy document indicated 2,169 in favor and only 46 opposed. The Constitution the Sacred Liturgy was promulgated on December 4, 1963 by an overwhelming majority of 2,147 to 4. The first line of the constitution states the four goals of the “sacred council”: 1) to energize Catholics, 2) to update church institutions, 3) to encourage the unity of all Christians and 4) to reach out to the whole world. In order to achieve these goals the liturgy had to be reformed and promoted. The guiding concern was to promote the active participation of all the faithful. The reform of the liturgy resulted in the most impactful changes of Vatican II: 1. Vernacular language; 2. Communion under both species; 3. Standing for the reception of Communion and receiving in the hand; 4. Concelebration by multiple priests; 5. Altar moved to the center of the sanctuary allowing the priest to face the people; 6. Expanded three-year Sunday Lectionary and two-year weekday Lectionary; 7. Prayer of the Faithful; 8. Sign of Peace; 9. Restored emphasis on the homily; 10. Lay readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy also addressed restoration of the catechumenate for adults, revision of the rite of confirmation, renaming “Extreme Unction” as “Anointing of the Sick”, encouragement of the laity to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, reform of the liturgical year and emphasis on music and art in support of the active participation of the faithful. “The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the church is directed, it is also the source from which all its power flows.” (SC, 10) The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy stands at the head of all the work of the Second Vatican Council—not only chronologically, but also as sign and symbol of the values and priorities of that council. The text for the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy is available online at: www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ ii_vatican_council/index.htm.