Live Talks: A pilgrimage towards the Jubilee Year 2025

In our pilgrimage towards the Jubilee Year 2025, described as "an event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church" by Pope Francis, we prepare in one way by reflecting on the four constitutions of the Second Vatican Council, in a series of four talks during October and November 2023. Pope Francis suggests this as a fruitful topic, stating:

The four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, together with the Magisterium of these recent decades, will continue to provide direction and guidance to God’s holy people, so that it can press forward in its mission of bringing the joyful proclamation of the Gospel to everyone.

- LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER POPE FRANCIS FOR THE JUBILEE 2025

‍

What was the Second Vatican Council?

The Second Vatican Council (or Vatican II "two") was the twenty-first ecumenical council of the Catholic Church.  It was convened by Saint John XXIII (23rd) and lasted for four sessions from 1962 through 1965.  It produced a series of documents to direct the life of the Church in the twentieth century and beyond.  Saint John XXIII stated that the purpose of the Council was the “modernisation of the Church after 20 centuries of life.”  

In his opening speech to the Council Pope John XXIII emphasised the theme of aggiornamento (Italian meaning "bringing up to date") by stating that "it is absolutely vital that the Church shall never for an instant lose sight of that sacred patrimony of truth inherited from the Fathers. But it is equally necessary for her to keep up to date with the changing conditions of this modern world.". Sixteen major documents were produced: four dogmatic constitutions, nine decrees and three declarations.

‍

What are the four major constitutions?

• Sacrosanctum Concilium, The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, December 4, 1963.
• Lumen Gentium, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, November 21, 1964.
• Dei Verbum, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, November 15, 1965.
• Gaudium et Spes, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, December 7, 1965.

‍

Pope Francis continued in his letter, "...our pilgrimage towards the Jubilee will express and confirm the shared journey that the Church is called to make, in order to be ever more fully a sign and instrument of unity in harmonious diversity."

The four talks will be given by renowned leaders, teachers and theologians from across the UK, beginning on October 2nd with Fr Guy Nichols Cong Orat of Birmingham Oratory, followed by Fr Richard Ounsworth OP who is Prior of Leicester, then in November Dr Mary McCaughey, Director of Studies at Oscott College will visit, with the series then culminating with our very own Bishop Patrick McKinney, Bishop of Nottingham.

‍

When are the talks?

1. Monday 2nd October 2023 at 7PM in Bulwell - rewatch - ‍(download reading material)‍
2. Wednesday 18th October 2023 at 7PM in Carlton - also broadcast online‍
3. Monday 20th November 2023 at 7PM in Stapleford - also broadcast online‍
4. Thursday 30th November 2023 at 7PM in The Meadows- also broadcast online

‍

‍