Monday, October 16, 2006
We're so close to the finish line on Lumen Gentium, so let's wrap it up a bit early.
It gives great joy and comfort to this holy and general Synod that even among the separated (believers) there are some who give due honor to the Mother of our Lord and Saviour, especially among the Orientals, who with devout mind and fervent impulse give honor to the Mother of God, ever virgin.(Cfr. Pius XI, Litt. Encycl. Ecclesiam Dei, 12 nov. 1923: AAS 15 (1923) p. 581. Pius XII, Litt. Encycl. Fulgens corona, 8 sept. 1953: AAS 45 (1953) pp. 590-591.) The entire body of the faithful pours forth instant supplications to the Mother of God and Mother of (humankind) that she, who aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers, may now, exalted as she is above all the angels and saints, intercede before her Son in the fellowship of all the saints, until all families of people, whether they are honored with the title of Christian or whether they still do not know the Saviour, may be happily gathered together in peace and harmony into one people of God, for the glory of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity.
And concludes the constitution:
Each and all these items which are set forth in this dogmatic Constitution have met with the approval of the Council Fathers. And We by the apostolic power given Us by Christ together with the Venerable Fathers in the Holy Spirit, approve, decree and establish it and command that what has thus been decided in the Council be promulgated for the glory of God.
Any overarching sense from the document as a whole? How does it still fit us today? What areas are left for more work in today's Church? Any other comments before we start a look at Sacrosanctum Concilium?
