The most noticeable outcome of the Second Vatican Council was the reform of Catholic liturgy. Of all the Vatican II documents, Sacrosanctum Concilium stands out for its direct impact on the daily lives of Catholics worldwide.
This document, spanning almost 13,000 words, was the first Vatican II text to be published. Its adoption was resoundingly endorsed by the Council fathers, with 2,147 votes to 4, culminating in its promulgation on December 4, 1963.
Speaking on this document, Pope Francis, on August 24, 2017, emphasized that “the reform of the liturgy is irreversible” and urged continued dedication to its implementation.
BREAKING CONVENTION WITH NOMENCLATURE
There’s a longstanding convention of titling Vatican documents with the first few words of their official Latin text. These chosen words often provide a glimpse into the document’s subject matter.
This Vatican II Document, titled ‘Sacrosanctum Concilium’ or ‘Most Sacred Council,’ interestingly diverges from this norm. Its Latin title reveals nothing about its contents; instead, it names the authorship of the document, which is the Council itself.
The intention behind the departure from the convention was to emphasize to the People of God that the liturgy served as the foundation of their discussions and the paramount issue among all others to be addressed.
Br. Sunil Britto CFC
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