Vatican II: Alive at Fifty

• Author / Creator

  Nancy Joan Quan

• This integrative study paper explores three documents from the Second Vatican Council (Lumen Gentium Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Gaudium et Spes Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World and Dei Verbum Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation) from the perspective of a practicing Roman Catholic woman and professional spiritual care provider. A brief history of the Council is presented followed by a literature review of the documents and personal reflection on the integration of relevant theological themes from these documents in the author’s personal and professional life. The guiding principles of Aggiornamento, Ressourcement and Development are examined for how they influenced the spirit of the council. Some of the theological themes addressed are the church as a mystery and the universality of the church, social justice, the common good, revelation of God, the dignity and uniqueness of each person, the Sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist and one’s moral conscience. It was concluded that the documents have had a positive and profound effect on the person and professional practice of this spiritual care provider.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Second Vatican Council
  • Roman Catholic church
  • Spiritual care provider

• Graduation date

  2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Theological Studies

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3SN01J5J

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.