TheVatican II Documents: An Introduction

Reverend Timothy A. Gadziala, JCL, MA, MDiv

Year 2008

Description: 

This course is intended to be an introduction for the student to the historical nature of this most profound Council of the twentieth century.  An historical analysis will be given into the very reason of the Council and its intention.  Moreover, each of the four Constitutions will be considered as well as the twelve other documents will be reviewed.  Lastly, over forty years has elapsed since the Second Vatican Council; the vision of the Council will be considered through the theological and pontifical lenses of both, the late Pontificate, John Paul II and, the current Holy Father, Benedict XVI.  An overview of the Papal publications and writings of these two Pontiffs will serve as an illustration of the Catholic Churchs vision of the implementation of the Council into the twenty first century.

Resources Needed:  

Doyle, Dennis M.   The Church Emerging from Vatican II.  (Revised Edition) Mystic CT:  Twenty Third Publications, 1992, 2002.

Dullus, Avery. Models of the Church. (Expanded Edition) New York:  Image Books, 1978, 1987.

Flannery, Austin, OP., ed.   Vatican Council II, Volume 1.   Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1975, 1984.

John Paul II.  Crossing the Threshold of Hope.  New York, New York:  Knopf Publishers, 1994.

Grading:

Grading will include at least a midterm and a final exam as well as summary papers to be given, thus showing an understanding of the documents of Vatican II.