FEATURE image: Pope St. John 23 (1881-1963). “Pope John XXIII” by jimforest is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

“Giovanni, why don’t you sleep? Is it the Pope or the Holy Spirit who governs the church? It’s the Holy Spirit, no? Well, then, go to sleep, Giovanni!” Wit and Wisdom of Good Pope John, collected by Henri Fesquet.

One day John XXIII visited the Hospital of the Holy Spirit in Rome. Deeply stirred by the pope’s visit, the mother superior whose nuns administered the hospital, went up to introduce herself. “Most Holy Father,” she announced, “I am the Superior of the Holy Spirit!” “Well, I must say you’re lucky,” the pope said. “I’m only the Vicar of Jesus Christ!” Wit and Wisdom of Good Pope John, collected by Henri Fesquet.

1943 – Istanbul, Raffaele Guariglia (1889-1970), ambassador to Turkey, and Msgr. Angelo Roncalli, apostolic delegate in Istanbul. “1943 – Istanbul, Raffaele Guariglia, Ambasciatore in Turchia, e Mons. Angelo Roncalli delegato apostolico ad Istanbul” by realizzato da Stefano Baldi is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Voglio essere buono, ad ogni costo, sempre, con tutti. (“I want to be good, at all costs, always, with everyone.”) Casa Natale di Papa Giovanni, Sotto Il Monte Giovanni XXIII (Bergamo).

1953, Paris, Angelo Roncalli, Apostolic Nuncio in Paris, with some officials of the Embassy. Roberto Gaja (1912-1992), Embassy Counsellor, is the third from the left. “1953, Parigi, Angelo Roncalli, Nunzio Apostolico a Parigi, con alcuni funzionari dell’Ambasciata. Roberto Gaja, Consigliere d’Ambasciata, è il terzo da sinistra” by realizzato da Stefano Baldi is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Una croce mi ci vuole: Signore Gesù aiutami a portarla umilmente e degnamente (“A cross is needed for me: Lord Jesus, help me to carry it humbly and worthily.”) Casa Natale di Papa Giovanni, Sotto Il Monte Giovanni XXIII (Bergamo).

The President of the Italian Republic, Luigi Einaudi (1874-1961), receives His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, Archbishop of Venice. “Il Presidente della Repubblica Luigi Einaudi riceve Sua Eminenza il Cardinale Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, Arcivescovo di Venezia” is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Non cade lacrima dai nostri occhi e non c’è sospiro del nostro cuore senza una riposta di Dio. (“There is no tear that falls from our eyes and no sigh of our heart without a response from God.”) Casa Natale di Papa Giovanni, Sotto Il Monte Giovanni XXIII (Bergamo).

Mi sento più che mai unito ai tanti e tanti che soffrono negli ospedali e nelle case, o sono angustiati in varie forme. (“I feel more than ever united with the many who suffer in hospitals and homes, or are distressed in various forms.”) Casa Natale di Papa Giovanni, Sotto Il Monte Giovanni XXIII (Bergamo).

Una gran medicina per i nostri mali è la buona coscienza, soprattutto l’abbandano nella Provvidenza di Dio. (“A great medicine for our ills is a good conscience, especially its abandonment to the Providence of God.”) Casa Natale di Papa Giovanni, Sotto Il Monte Giovanni XXIII (Bergamo).

Per la pace in famiglia tutto bisogna sacrificare e tutto conviene prendere dalla buona parte. (“For peace in the family everything must be sacrificed and everything should be taken from its good part.”) Casa Natale di Papa Giovanni, Sotto Il Monte Giovanni XXIII (Bergamo).

Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council in 1962. The Council’s proceedings were held in four sessions from 1962 to 1965 as it aimed to define the Church for modern times, or aggiornamento. The First Session was opened by Pope John XXIII in October 1962 and closed in December 1962. John XXIII died on June 3, 1963, and his successor Paul VI (Giovanni Montini) was elected on June 21, 1963. The Second Session, opened by Paul VI in September 1963 closed in December 1963. The Third and Fourth Sessions were also held from September to December in 1964 and 1965, respectively. The Council adjourned on December 8, 1965, which is the feast of The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

Vatican II produced 16 major documents, including Constitutions (4), Decrees (9), and Declarations (3).

Constitutions:
Lumen Gentium: (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church) – Defined Church as the People of God and as sacrament. – promulgated November 21, 1964.
Dei Verbum: (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation) – Cited the Bible and Tradition as sources of divine revelation. – November 18, 1965.
Sacrosanctum Concilium: (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy) – Called for liturgical changes including use of local languages. – December 4, 1963.
Gaudium et Spes: (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World) – Addressed the Church’s engagement with contemporary human life. – December 7, 1963.

Decrees:
Ad Gentes (Mission Activity) – 1965.
Apostolicam Actuositatem (Apostolate of the Laity) – November 18, 1965.
Christus Dominus (Pastoral Office of Bishops) – October 28, 1965.
Inter Mirifica (Media of Social Communications) – December 4, 1963.
Orientalium Ecclesiarum (Eastern Catholic Churches) – November 21, 1964.
Optatam Totius (Priestly Training) – October 28, 1965.
Perfectae Caritatis (Renewal of Religious Life) – October 28, 1965.
Presbyterorum Ordinis (Ministry and Life of Priests) – December 7, 1965.
Unitatis Redintegratio (Ecumenism) – November 21, 1964.

Declarations:
Gravissimum Educationis (On Christian Education) – October 28, 1965.
Nostra Aetate (On the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions): A landmark document that opened dialogue and understanding with other faiths, particularly Judaism and Islam, and addressed universal human spiritual heritage. – October 28, 1965.
Dignitatis Humanae (On Religious Freedom): Affirmed the human right to religious liberty. – December 7, 1965.

Figlioli, cercate più quello che unisce che ciò che divide… (“Little children, seek more what unites than what divides…”) Casa Natale di Papa Giovanni, Sotto Il Monte Giovanni XXIII (Bergamo).

Tutti ricordo e per tutti pregherò. (“I remember everyone and I will pray for everyone.”) Casa Natale di Papa Giovanni, Sotto Il Monte Giovanni XXIII (Bergamo).