Category Archives: Lumen Gentium

Why did Vatican II address Mary and her role (Lumen Gentium 52-69)? Here’s what the bishops hoped to accomplish: Wherefore this Holy Synod, in expounding the doctrine on the Church, in which the divine Redeemer works salvation, intends to describe … Continue reading →

You’ll probably find these Lumen Gentium sections on Mary, though well-footnoted, to be less dense than what preceded them. Today’s section finds the council bishops laying their case for the Catholic affection for the Mother of God: The Virgin Mary, … Continue reading →

The last several sections of Lumen Gentium treat, as the chapter headings suggests, “THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF GOD IN THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH.“ Sections 52 through 69 serve as a document to itself. It has … Continue reading →

The council does two things here. First, it affirms Catholic teaching on dead believers as elucidated in previous councils. And second, it urges perspective and an elimination of abuses which have been associated with Catholic expression for the dead. Nothing … Continue reading →

Vatican II on saints: a bit of history beginning with martyrs, then working to the veneration of religious, then folks who were just plain good role models. Fully conscious of this communion of the whole Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, … Continue reading →

What the Church teaches on the role of and our relationship with the dead: Until the Lord shall come in His majesty, and all the angels with Him (Cf. Mt. 25, 31.) and death being destroyed, all things are subject … Continue reading →

Lumen Gentium Chapter VII leads off: THE ESCHATOLOGICAL NATURE OF THE PILGRIM CHURCH AND ITS UNION WITH THE CHURCH IN HEAVEN The Church, to which we are all called in Christ Jesus, and in which we acquire sanctity through the … Continue reading →

Closing up the discussion on religious life: Let each of the faithful called to the profession of the evangelical counsels, therefore, carefully see to it that (she or) he persevere and ever grow in that vocation God has given … … Continue reading →

We’ve moved past Vatican II’s look at the call to holiness of all believers, and are into the examination of religious life. Today’s theme seems to center on setting a good example for others. Religious should carefully keep before their … Continue reading →

More on religious life … It is the duty of the ecclesiastical hierarchy to regulate the practice of the evangelical counsels by law, since it is the duty of the same hierarchy to care for the People of God and … Continue reading →

We continue our close examination of Vatican II’s look at religious life in a lightly footnoted section. The faithful of Christ bind themselves to the three aforesaid counsels either by vows, or by other sacred bonds, which are like vows … Continue reading →

Chapter VI is a new horizon in Lumen Gentium, and it treats religious life in the Church. Let’s read first that aspects of religious life are divinely ordained, church-approved and regulated, and that the diversity to which they give rise … Continue reading →

A wrap-up for the “universal call to holiness” begins with an appeal for the greatest gift: “God is love, and he who abides in love, abides in God and God in Him”.(1 Jn. 4, 16.) But, God pours out his … Continue reading →

The council gets specific on what exactly this call to holiness should look like for various members of the Church. First, encouragement that one’s personal gifts will guide: The classes and duties of life are many, but holiness is one-that … Continue reading →

More on the universal call to holiness: The Lord Jesus, the divine Teacher and Model of all perfection, preached holiness of life to each and everyone of His disciples of every condition. He Himself stands as the author and consumator … Continue reading →