Fr Arockia Rayappan –
A special thanks to R. Pravin Jose, SJ, for collating this article in which six religious sisters from Vidyajyoti College of Theology (Delhi) respond to Pope Francis’ invitation to invest the resources to study, reflect, and meditate on the pastoral guidelines and theological highlights resplendent in the four constitutions of the Second Vatican Council.
The contributors belong to the following Religious Institutes: Sisters of the Announcers of the Lord (SAL); Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN); Sisters of the Holy Cross Menzingen (HCM); Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM); and Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM).
Sister Ankita Robert, SAL: Having read the four constitutions of Vatican II, I find it apt to say that Pope Francis is re-giving life to these writings. Firstly, the document of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy has truly borne fruits in abundance. The participation of the faithful in the Eucharist seems to be more active and alive as more opportunities and efforts are made towards celebrating it, like the translation of it into vernaculars and so on. The document on the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church has truly been fruitful with the fact of synodality. The Church is now, though hierarchical, has become synodal as the people of God. The Church has become also the home of the laity more concretely and remains a very approachable, merciful, and forgiving mother. Considering the document of the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, I am glad to say that though I am a nun, not a seminarian, I now can explore the Sacred Scriptures, help others to read the Word of God, and reflect on it together. The Church has provided many opportunities to the faithful to dwell in God by enabling them to teach catechism and give talks on the Bible and allied spiritual themes, etc. Lay people have now more access to the Word of God now than before. The document of the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, too, has made a greater achievement in its objectives. And above all, I, as a nun, can firmly affirm that Pope Francis lifted the status of women religious who were earlier ignored in the Church. He is still making efforts to appreciate women’s contribution to the Church. He is truly the Pope of Vatican II. May God bless all his efforts to truly make the Church – the people of God as Vatican II had envisaged!
Sr. Swarupa, SCN: As a religious sister and theology student, I am very happy to share my points on the importance of studying the four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council. When we read about the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, we come to know that the liturgy is a community celebration where we express more deeply and richly the incarnate wisdom and the love of God with our active participation. The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church gives an invitation to all the people of God with different vocations to recognize and embrace the beauty of our participation in the mission of the Church. It also gives a universal call to holiness of all groups of people. Love is the only way to respond to this call. Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation encourages all to read and understand the Sacred Scriptures. They are a reflection on the Word of God, Jesus himself who is the ultimate revelation of God. It is the mystery of the Trinity and the action of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and the world. Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World helps us all to know the signs of the times and to interpret them in the light of the Gospels. The Council unambiguously expresses its desire for the Church that it engages in dialogue with the entire human family.
Sister Pat, ICM: Sixty years after the Council, the Church continues to face newer challenges across the globe. One of the most significant contributions of Vat. II Council was that it had laid a greater emphasis on the role of the ordinary faithful in the life of the Church. In today’s modern times, women have a very important role to play in building the Church. Hence women need to be given significant offices and more responsibilities in Church ministries and pastoral actions. On the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Francis encouraged Catholics everywhere to leave behind criticism and anger and to live the faith with joy. He encouraged members of the Church to return “to the council’s pure sources of love” and to “rediscover the council’s passion and renew our own passion for the council”. The study of the constitutions could be the first step that would help us rediscover our passion for the Church and understand its significant history. It would also help our ministry become more effective and thereby make the functioning of the Church even better. The Council continues to challenge the faithful to reform themselves as individuals and communities and to remain in ecclesial and missionary communion with all the believers of Christ spread across the globe. Today religious women who are passionate about their work are in the front-line as far as their various ministries are concerned and have a direct engagement with the people and in so doing they make a marvellous display of fulfilling the goals of Vat. II. More women need to be trained and educated about the Vat. II documents since they know better the needs and expectations of the faithful and their involvement in various activities of the church and its ministry. I believe that through this invitation to study the constitutions, Pope is motivating us all to become sharers in carrying out the mission and responsibilities of the Church together in a synodal spirit and collegial intent.
Sister Prerna Dhurwey, HCM: The Second Vatican Council not only opened the windows of the Church to let the fresh air in but also made her open her eyes to see Her real identity: the Body of Christ, the People of God made of humans journeying together towards the same goal; a group of pilgrims walking together without anyone being either higher or lower to the other but all playing different roles as members of the one and same Body. With the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the liturgy has become an expression of the worship of the whole people and of their deepest yearnings in a language they can understand and express themselves, and in gestures from their culture. The Word of God is not abstract but concrete. It is revealed in history. The Word is also in the Scriptures of other religions, and we can be inspired by them. In the old vision, lay people were much engaged in the life and mission of the Church because they are in the world. With the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, they are given prominence because all are called to holiness and the world is a place of God’s revelation. Since they are in the world, they are important in transforming the world. Lay people are now playing vital roles in the local churches. During the time of Vatican II, feminism was not yet known. Women’s movements were not yet active, but women comprise the People of God as lay faithful. Thankfully, Pope Francis made a step forward by appointing women to important offices of the Vatican. This is a model that local churches can imitate in fulfillment of conciliar aspirations.
Sister Arulda Rose, ICM: The four constitutions of Vatican II documents heavily draw on the Gospel inspiration and teachings as well as traditions arising from sensus fidei et sensus fidelium which deserves to be set on the lampstand to spread their light to the modern world. Vatican II has broadened the meaning of the word “church” as the whole people of God, coming out of the limited circle as Christians vs. Church. It means all the children of God- men and women, young and old. The authority of the church does not solely lie in the hierarchical structure but in full service to humanity by decentralizing its power and by remaining as the shepherd to lead the flock. However, the reality of the clergy still finds fulfillment in hierarchical power and authoritarian leadership many a time. The shepherds who smell the sheep of their flock exist only in documents. Largely, shepherds tend to give pain to the hearts of many people. The Divine Revelation is God’s self-disclosure to participate in the life of the human family and of the whole creation and thus calling forth all to participate in the Trinitarian life. The truth is that in the name of religion, caste, creed, race, power, and position, the faithful are divided by most of the pastors. Reading the signs of the time, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern word has well explained the role of the church in the modern world. It clearly speaks about the joy and hope, the grief and anguish of the people in the world. We have tried to articulate or document the reality of the world from different perspectives and contexts. However, our speed (our planning and actions) is not sufficient to run behind the speed of the world with its modern acceleration towards the ecological, scientific, religious, and political changes, the geo-political games, and above all the understanding of moral conscience in the modern world. Vatican II documents are very rich in their content. Yet there remains a question: “how much are the priests and the religious prepared to read them, understand them, and pass them on to the faithful?” When we are not clear about them or not showing interest in them, we can’t pass on the essence of the documents to the people. Eventually, they remain in the libraries. It is very important that these documents need to be brought and explained to the laity to promote life in the church/ modern world. Today, women are trained at all levels, and feminists are widening their perspectives. The role of women and that of religious women are more in the church. If their roles are clarified and encouraged for the animation of the church, there will be more; and new life is possible in the church. Inclusive language can be used in the new editions. (e.g.) For example, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, 1 reads, “The joy and the hope, the grief and anguish of all men…” Where are the women here?
Sister Josephine Diana, FMM: On Oct. 11, 2022, the opening of the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council marked the launch of renewing and reforming the relationship of the Catholic Church with the world around. Though the ecumenical council accentuated upon the areas of Church doctrines, liturgy, redefining the relationship with the world, the concept of family, religious life, and much more, in the 60 years that have followed, there is still a lack of attention and mindfulness either with the religious or the laity leading to misinterpretation and polarisation causing divisions in the Church. During the 60th anniversary Mass, Pope Francis grieved that though those reforming Church documents sometimes led to deep divisions within the Church, “Are we not called to be servants of all rather than cheering on one side alone?” He continued saying, “That is not how the Lord wants us to be. We are his sheep, his flock, and we can only be so together and as one.” Among all the disparities, the only solution Pope Francis gives us is to cease the “quarrels, gossip and disputes” over the Council reforms, and the people should “live their faith with joy, without grumbling, and criticising.” This is witnessed truly in the response and action of our beloved Pope when he called the entire Church for the synod, re-emphasizing “Communion, Participation, Mission”. Henceforth each baptised citizen of the Church is called to rejuvenate this spirit of reformation within and progress with the Church as a whole, united body, living in faith and joy, fulfilling what the Lord wants her/him to be. This is the Way Forward, the way of hope, faith, and love, the only way towards the destination of the pilgrim Church. The overall outcome of the four Constitutions of Vatican II entails the unity in diversity of the Church. It is a continuous call and plea to safeguard unity in essentials, to be open to accepting the diversity in non-essentials, and to charity in all things. At the 60th anniversary Eucharist, the Pope encouraged members of the Church to return “to the council’s pure sources of love. Let us rediscover the council’s passion and renew our own passion for the council.” This is the right occasion and the right time to explore this Way Forward of the Church documents earnestly and renew our relationship with the Church and the world, not just as an obligation but as an inevitable option.
Arockia Rayappan is a priest of Delhi Archdiocese and a Ph.D. student at Concordia University, Canada. His doctoral research explores practical, resourceful, and sustainable ways to foster social and religious harmony through Basic Ecclesial Communities in the contemporary Indian multi-cultural, pluri-religious, social, economic, and political milieu. He dedicates the articles on Vatican II and Jubilee 2025 to the friends, teachers, professors, formators and spiritual guides at College Platon, Jnana Deepa – Institute of Philosophy and Religion, Papal Seminary, Vishwa Jyoti Gurukul, Vinay Gurukul, Saint Jude Thaddeus’ School, to the victims of the Covid-pandemic, particularly to the late Fr. Isaac who died on April 30, 2021 , during the first wave of Covid-19. The author’s contributions have been published in Indian Catholic Matters, The New Leader, The Voice of Delhi, Dilli Vaani, JDV Times, The Indian Currents, The Herald, The Examiner, News and Views, Ishvani, Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection – VJRT, (Vidyajyoti College, Delhi), The Tablet (Brooklyn, USA), Golden Key – GKA, (Atlanta, USA), and Journal of the Council for Research on Religion – JCREOR, (School of Religious Studies, McGill University, Canada).