The Church enlightened by the light of this Council - such is Our firm hope - will grow in spiritual riches and, by drawing strength from them for new energies, will look forward to the future. Indeed, with timely "updates" and with a prudent order of mutual collaboration, the Church will make men, families, and peoples really turn their spirit towards heavenly things. This is how the Council becomes the subject of a singular obligation of great gratitude to the Supreme Giver of all good, celebrating with a jubilant song the glory of Christ the Lord, glorious and immortal King of the centuries and peoples.
The supreme interest of the Ecumenical Council is that the sacred deposit of Christian doctrine be guarded and taught in an increasingly effective way. Doctrine, which comprises the whole man, composed of soul and body; and that, to us, pilgrims on this earth, directs us to go towards the heavenly homeland. This shows how our mortal life is to be ordered so that we fulfill our duties as citizens of earth and heaven, and thus achieve the end established by God. From the renewed, serene and calm adherence to all the teachings of the Church, in its integrity and precision, as resplendent mainly in the conciliar acts of Trent and Vatican I, the Christian and Catholic spirit of the entire world awaits to go one step further towards a doctrinal penetration and a formation of consciences that is in a more perfect correspondence with fidelity to authentic doctrine, studying it and exposing it through the forms of research and the literary formulas of modern thought. One thing is the substance of the old doctrine, of the "depositum fidei", and another the way to formulate its expression; and of this we must take great account - with patience, if necessary – by adhering to the norms and requirements of a teaching of a predominantly pastoral nature.
We stand before you, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in your name.
With you alone to guide us,
make yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance
lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in you our unity
so that we may journey together
to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.
All this we ask of you,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Watch the the video presentation by Dr. Peter Meehan and break for discussion as indicated.
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within
both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen.
