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Student Work

Church & Sacraments in the 20^th Century
4th period - Religion II - Sacraments

Church Rediscovers it’s roots

Late 1800’s and early 1900’s the church realized it needed to become more modern
By looking at its past, the Church saw that change was needed and this change was brought when Pope John XXIII called the Second Vatican Council

Pope John XXIII

Pope John XXIII was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli on November 25,1881 in Italy.
As a young boy he helped his family with raising crops.
In 1904 he was ordained a priest and in 1905 he was appointed secretary to Bishop Giacomo of Bergamo, Italy.
During WWI Roncalli was drafted into the Italian army as a sergeant.
In 1953 he was named the Patriarch of Venice and was moved up to the rank of cardinal.
When Pope Pius XII died in 1958, Roncalli was elected as Pope, and he chose the name Pope John XXIII.

His election was surrounded by theories claiming that cardinal Giuseppe Siri was the conclave’s (meeting of Cardinals in which to elect a new Pope) first choice.
It was said that the conclave was threatened, with a riot if he became pope.
On May 11,1963 Italian president Antonio Segni awarded Pope John XXIII the Balzan Prize, which is an award given to people or organizations who have made outstanding achievements in the fields of humanities, culture and peace.
On June 3,1963 at the age of 81 Pope John XXIII died and his successor was Pope Paul VI.

Vatican II

Called by Pope John XXIII on January 25,1959 three months after being elected.
It’s announced purpose was spiritual renewal of the church and reconsideration of the church in the modern world
Believed it was time to open the Church to the world around us, letting new ideas in
He invited other Christian Churches to send observers to the council, including Protestant and Orthodox Churches, which was the most spectacular act of the council.
Said it was time to examine all aspects of teachings and practices in an open and direct manner.
The council was divided into four sessions, each with a different agenda, held in four years 1962-1965.

How the Council helped change the church

The council saw that over the years many changes the Church went through helped bring out the true meaning of the sacraments.
These changes were to be kept
Sacraments are visible signs of internal and spiritual grace and remind us of Jesus’ presence.

Continuing Challenge

With the second Vatican Council the church entered a new phase in history and understanding of the sacraments.
The Catholic Church faces one of the same challenges it’s faced in the past, keeping the Church’s teachings on the sacraments true to the spirit of Jesus.

Since the second Vatican Council . . .

The seven sacraments have undergone changes for the specific purpose of pointing more clearly to the main center of belief: JESUS.
The second Vatican Council is also a reminder to the church that the challenge of growth is to remain genuine to one’s spirit while facing inevitable changes that come along.