Popes and Papacy

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John XXIII 50th Related Posts:
1/ I do a post on 50th death anniversary — June 3, 2013.
2/ Bl. John XXIII’s remains in an urn? — June 4, 2013.

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by Darien N. Clark
Virginia Tech Catholic Campus Minister
& Past Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus (Syracuse University)

Yesterday (June 3, 2013) the 50th Anniversary of Blessed John XXIII’s death. The election of Angelo Cardinal Roncalli to the Papacy in 1958 was a surprise. Not the least of whom to Roncalli himself, who had a return train ticket to Venice already purchased an in hand at the time of his election.

Of the many things he is known for, none is more prominent than convening the Second Vatican Council. Vatican II is indisputably a watershed moment in the history of the Church. (At this point, I must also note Pope Paul VI, who continued the council. At his prerogative, the council could have been ceased before its conclusion, so he must also be mentioned). The changes brought about by the council are a controversial topic still in the Church. There are some groups who, in denial of the changes made, have gone as far as separation from the Church (most notably the Society of St.Pius X). There are many facets of John’s Papacy, and the council that were monumental. I would like to focus briefly on two, changes to the Mass and the role of the laity, which have had an incalculable impact on the Church and my own life.

The most obvious change of the liturgical reforms enacted by Sacrosanctum Concilium (the conciliar document which promulgated the liturgical changes) is that Mass is now spoken in the vernacular language. By the 1960′s Latin was not understood by a large portion of the faithful, particularly those whose native tongues are not a Romance language, thus lacking a Latin base. Active participation by the laity in the pews was also a major shift. Previously, most individuals would have devotions, rosary, or some other spiritual device going on in the pews during Mass. SC encouraged the laity to participate, and pay attention to the entire liturgy. For added emphasis, the Celebrants were turned around to face the congregation while saying Mass. What impact did this have? For one, it made Mass, and in particular the Eucharist, more accessible to the laity. It is still a mystery, but one that no longer discourages the laity from actively participating and engaging the Sacrament.

This change has led to a broader change in the overall roll of the laity in the Church. How then, has John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council impacted my life personally? Well, I am a lay person. I am not ordained a Priest or Deacon, I am not in Seminary, I am not a consecrated religious Brother of some religious order. Yet, I still work and actively minister in the Church. My current position is at the Virginia Tech Catholic Campus Ministry. My work and ministry would not be possible without the foundation laid by John XXIII calling the council. He began the work which created the space for me to have the ministry I have. Previously, almost all ministry in the Church was left to the Priests and Sisters. What little role the laity did have was at most administrative, clerical type work. Without Bl. John XXIII and the Council he called, I do not know what I would be doing at present, but certainly not the fulfilling ministry I currently have.