Vatican II Changes

The Second Vatican Council: Liturgy

The change from Latin to English, in parts of the Mass, has been
singled out because it appears to many to be the most striking
result of the Council's work. But the Council has authorised the use
of the vernacular, the language of the country, not only for parts of
the Mass but also for the administration of every sacrament and
sacramental. It has directed national councils of bishops to
establish liturgical commissions whose task is to produce suitable
translations of liturgical texts, and to promote knowledge and love
of the sacred liturgy.
While local commissions are engaged upon this work, the Central Liturgical Commission
meets in Rome. Its primary function is the revision of the liturgical books. Its secondary
function is to adapt the liturgy to the needs of modern times, and to enable all Catholics to
take part actively in the official worship which the Church offers to God. However rapid and
unexpected these changes might appear, they are in fact intended to be gradual, step by
step, until eventually the renewal of the liturgy has been completed.
Changes are taking place, not for the sake of change, but because the Liturgy is at the centre
of Christian life and worship. It is through the active sharing in these sacred rites that the
faithful, the People of God, "will drink deeply from the source of divine life. They will become
the leaven of Christ, the salt of the earth. They will bear witness to that divine life; the will be
instrumental in passing it on to others."

The Second Vatican Council: The Altar

Where possible, the high altar is to be placed in such a way that Mass
may be offered by the priest facing the people; the altar should stand
away from the wall of the sanctuary, so that room is left to allow the
priest to move around it. The Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a
strong tabernacle, placed at the centre of the high altar; but it maybe
placed upon a side altar, if that side altar is dignified and easily seen.
Again, the tabernacle may be placed on the altar at which Mass is said
facing the people; in this case the tabernacle should be small.
The cross and candlesticks will be placed upon the altar in the customary way; in certain
circumstances, however, the bishop may allow them to be placed alongside the altar. The
sedilia, or seats for the celebrant and sacred ministers, should be easily seen by the faithful,
and the celebrant's sedile should be so placed as to show that he is presiding over the Mass
as the assembly of the People of God. There should be an ambo (lectern or reading-desk) -clearly visible to the faithful; from which the readings from Scripture are to be made. It should
be observed that many of these changes can be effected only when new churches are
planned; where possible, the sanctuary of an existing church should be adapted in
accordance with the Instruction of the Central Commission.

The Second Vatican Council: The Mass

The "secret" prayer before the preface is to be said or sung aloud.

The "Our Father" is said or sung in the vernacular by the people
together with the priest.

The words spoken by the priest when giving Holy Communion have
been shortened to "Corpus Christ" -- "The Body of Christ;" the person
communicating says "Amen" before receiving Holy Communion; and
the priest no longer makes the sign of the Cross with the host.
The Last Gospel is omitted, and the prayers formerly recited at the end of the Mass (the
"Leonine" prayers) are no longer said.

At all Masses attended, the Gospel is to be followed by a homily, or explanation reading

from the Scriptures.
After the Creed, provision is made for what is called the "community prayer" sometimes
called the "prayer of the faithful." In some countries this prayer is already customary; in
most places, however, it has not yet been introduced.
Suitable translations of parts of the Mass (from Latin to the language of the people) are to
be prepared by regional or national councils of bishops. When these translations have
been confirmed by the Holy See (the Vatican), they may be used when Mass is said in the
vernacular.
Another important change concerns the Eucharistic Fast. Until recent years, this Fast was
from midnight. Then it was reduced to three hours. Finally it was altered to a fast of one
hour from food and drink; this hour is to be reckoned from the time when Holy Communion
is to be received, and not from the time Mass starts.

The Second Vatican Council: The Sacraments

The rites themselves are to be modified and adapted to the needs of

modern times, so that the true meaning of sacramental signs may be
readily grasped.
The vernacular (language of the country) may be used for all sacraments.
The ancient ritual for adults who are receiving instruction in the Catholic
faith was called the "catechumenate." This ritual is to be brought into use
once more, and will extend through several distinct stages.
The rite of infant baptism is to be altered, to express the fact that an infant is receiving the
sacrament, and to emphasise the duties of parents and godparents.
Confirmation should be administered within the Mass, following the Gospel and sermon.
Those to be confirmed should renew the promises made at baptism.
The rite and formula for the Sacrament of Penance are to be altered, to give clearer
expression to the nature and effects of this sacrament.
Similar revisions are to be made in the Sacrament of the "Anointing of the Sick." The
Council has ruled that this phrase should be used in preference to the former name,
"Extreme Unction."
The Sacrament of Marriage is to be celebrated within Mass, unless there is a good reason
for the marriage to take place outside Mass.
A new rite has been introduced for the celebration of Matrimony outside Mass.

The Second Vatican Council: The Liturgical Year

The Constitution recalls the unchanging practice of the
Church of celebrating every Sunday the paschal mystery - the mystery of the passion, death, resurrection and
glorifying of Christ the Lord. Sunday is the original feast
day, the centre of the whole liturgical year.
The liturgical year is to be revised, both to preserve the
age-old customs and instructions of the holy seasons, and
also to adapt those customs, where necessary, to the
conditions of modern times. Detailed rules are provided
for this revision; the rules are based upon the pastoral
nature of the liturgy -- the need to keep before the minds
of Christians the mysteries of salvation in Christ.

The Second Vatican Council: Concelebration of Mass

The concelebration of Mass (Mass which is said by more
than one priest) is a custom which has always been found
in the Church it signifies the unity of the priesthood.
Until the Second Vatican Council, however, the custom had
usually been restricted to the Mass for the ordination of a
priest or the consecration of a bishop. The Council has
extended the custom of concelebration to other occasions,
such as the Mass on the evening of Holy Thursday, and
Masses celebrated at meetings of priests.

The Second Vatican Council: Sacred Music

The Council drew attention to the age-old tradition of sacred music
and singing, closely linked to the liturgy; and the Constitution
declares that worship becomes more noble when it is carried out
with solemn singing, especially when the celebrant, ministers and
people take an active part.
Great attention is to be paid to the teaching and practice of sacred
music, in harmony with training and instruction in the liturgy.
Gregorian chant is especially suited to the Roman liturgy, but other kinds of sacred music
must not be excluded. In places where the people have their own characteristic musical
traditions, these traditions also should be incorporated into Christian worship.
In the Latin Church, the pipe organ is recognised as the traditional musical instrument, but
other instruments maybe used provided that they can be adapted for use in divine worship.

The Second Vatican Council: Sacred Art

Things that are set apart for use in divine worship should have
dignity and beauty, because they serve as symbols and signs
of the supernatural world. The highest achievement of the fine
arts is sacred art, which is man's attempt to express the infinite
beauty of God and to direct his mind to God.
Artistic styles vary from one time and place to another. Modern
art is the expression of our times; provided that it is in keeping
with divine worship, a work of modern art and may be used for
sacred use.
Bishops and others responsible for churches and holy places should remove from those
places all objects which lack true artistic value, or which may be out of keeping with divine
worship. Similarly, they should see that the number of statues and pictures should be
moderate, and that they should be placed in such a way that a true sense of proportion is
observed.
All things destined for use in divine worship should have simple dignity; lavish display doe
snot accord with the worship of God.

The Second Vatican Council: The Eastern Churches

The Catholic Church reveres these Eastern Churches, which are "living
witnesses to the tradition which has been handed down from the
apostles through the Fathers." The whole Church of Christ is made up
of a number of particular Churches or rites; many of these Eastern
Churches are joined in full communion with the Apostolic See.
The traditions of each Church should be preserved intact, while adapting itself to the different
necessities of time and place. Each Church has the duty and the right to govern itself
according to its traditional discipline. In each Church the rights and privileges of patriarchs
must be preserved and, where necessary, restored. But all Churches are entrusted to the
supreme pastoral care of the Roman Pope as the successor of Saint Peter.
In certain circumstances Baptism and Confirmation may be administered to people of other
rites, and marriages contracted between Christians of different rites may also be valid, when
the marriage contract is made in the presence of a sacred minister.
The Council recognises the validity of Holy Orders conferred in the Eastern Churches, and
permits Catholics to receive Holy Communion and the Anointing of the Sick from priests of
other rites, when the need arises and when no Catholic priest is available. These permissions
express the desire of the Catholic Church to promote union with the Eastern churches which
are separated from Catholic unity.
The importance which the Holy See attaches to the Eastern Churches, and the great desire
for reunion, were evident throughout the sessions of the Council. Apart from the Greek
Orthodox Church, all the separated Eastern Churches sent observers to the Council.
Patriarchs of Eastern Catholic Churches were given a special place of honour, and some took
a prominent part in Council debates.

The Second Vatican Council: Ecumenism

Over the centuries differences between Christians have led to
profound divisions, but modern times have seen a great
movement towards unity; and the decree begins by saying,
"Christ the Lord founded one Church and one Church only. One
of the principal concerns of this Council is the restoration of unity
among all Christians."
All who have been "justified by faith in baptism" are members of
the Body of Christ; they all have the right to be called Christian.
Catholics are encouraged to join in ecumenical activity, and to meet non-Catholic Christians in
truth and love.
Catholics should not ignore their duty to other Christians.
Theologians and other competent Catholics should study the history, teaching and liturgy of
separated Churches.
In appropriate circumstances prayers for unity should be recited jointly with non-Catholic
Christians. Catholics are to be directed in this by their bishops, subject to the decisions of the
Holy see.
Between the Catholic Church and non-Catholic Christian communities, the bonds of unity are
already strong; their strength must be put to use. The bonds are, chiefly, the fact that
Christians believe in the divinity of Christ and the fact of reverence for God's word revealed in
the Bible.