The Catechetical Review - Communicating Christ for a New Evangelization

Vatican II, the Catechism and the New Evangelization

Authored by Fr. Matthew Albright in Issue #33.3 of The Sower
On October 12, 1962, the Vatican’s official newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, bore the headline “Chief Aim of the Council: To Defend and Promote Doctrine.” Indeed, the day before, Pope John XXIII delivered his long-anticipated address opening the Second Vatican Council. His words were uplifting and set a tone of openness to dialogue and appreciation for the benefits of progress. Vatican II, he said, was to be “predominantly pastoral in character” and focused on the Church relating effectively to the modern world, since “she must ever look to the present, to the new conditions and new forms of life introduced into the modern world, which have opened new avenues to the Catholic apostolate.” At the same time, the Council was to “to transmit the doctrine, pure and integral,” for “the Church should never depart from the sacred patrimony of truth received from the Fathers.” The Holy Father charged the Council with transmitting the Church’s teachings in the language of God’s 20th Century flock. In 2012, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Council and the 20th year of one of its spiritual offspring: the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The rest of this online article is available for current subscribers.

Start your subscription today!


This article is from The Sower and may be copied for catechetical purposes only. It may not be reprinted in another published work without the permission of Maryvale Institute. Contact [email protected]

Articles from the Most Recent Issue

RCIA & Adult Faith Formation: Forming Missionary Disciples as Prophets and Witnesses
By Scott Elmer
In 2017, the bishops of the United States held a convocation focused on unpacking and applying Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”). It was a beautiful moment of solidarity around the essential mission of the Church. Throughout the convocation, the bishops often repeated the mantra “We all are missionary... Read more
Catholic Schools: “What Am I Doing?” Reflections on Teaching with Fascination
By Bryce Crandall
As the students cleared out of my classroom at the end of the day, I leaned back in my chair, staring at the peeling painter’s tape framing a poster in the front of the class of Christ washing the feet of his apostles. It hadn’t been a bad day, but it hadn’t been a good day, either. My colleague—a good friend who accompanies me, sharing concerns... Read more
Encountering God in Catechesis: The Attraction of Holiness
By Catechists' Personal Testimonies
When I close my eyes I can still see her. The woman who had just stepped to the front of the room preferred not to use the microphone, but her soft voice just didn’t carry in the small meeting area seating a posse of teenagers. We were on retreat, one of the few required prior to our confirmation. “Maria” had just arrived that morning. I had spent... Read more

Pages

Watch Tutorial Videos

We've put together several quick and easy tutorial videos to show you how to use this website.

Watch Now