Catholic Renewal
Encyclopedia
Catholic Renewal describes changes in the Roman Catholic Church
in the 20th century, which can be classified in three major areas: (1) the approach towards the Bible (from Latin Vulgate
to comprehensive translations of critical editions of texts in original languages), (2) liturgical practices (from the liturgy
in Latin to Mass
in the contemporary language with the active engagement of lay
faithful
) and (3) the role of faith
in Christian life (from an at times very formal and legal approach towards the church to emphasis on the catechumenate and acknowledging individual need for the experience of Divinity
).
Biblical renewal started with Pius XII's 1943 encyclical Divino Afflante Spiritu
after which Catholic translations of the Bible became based directly on the texts found in manuscripts in the original languages. Later documents (of which Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation
published as a result of the Second Vatican Council
can be considered to be of special importance) were encouraged to provide versions of the Bible in the "mother tongues" of the faithful, and urged both clergy
and laity to continue to make Bible study a central part of their lives.
Liturgical
renewal was launched by the Second Vatican Council
, emphasising that "the faithful should be led to that fully conscious and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy" (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
).
Other Second Vatican Council
documents, like the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
, can be considered to be the background for catechumenate renewal which was introduced in many Catholic particular churches
in many forms soon after the Council (of which the Neocatechumenate is probably the best known), and for charismatic renewal
which started in 1967.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in the 20th century, which can be classified in three major areas: (1) the approach towards the Bible (from Latin Vulgate
Vulgate
The Vulgate is a late 4th-century Latin translation of the Bible. It was largely the work of St. Jerome, who was commissioned by Pope Damasus I in 382 to make a revision of the old Latin translations...
to comprehensive translations of critical editions of texts in original languages), (2) liturgical practices (from the liturgy
Liturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
in Latin to Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
in the contemporary language with the active engagement of lay
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
faithful
Faithful (baptized Catholic)
Faithful is a Roman Catholic term referring to those who:The term comes from the Latin word fideles, from fides, faith....
) and (3) the role of faith
Faith
Faith is confidence or trust in a person or thing, or a belief that is not based on proof. In religion, faith is a belief in a transcendent reality, a religious teacher, a set of teachings or a Supreme Being. Generally speaking, it is offered as a means by which the truth of the proposition,...
in Christian life (from an at times very formal and legal approach towards the church to emphasis on the catechumenate and acknowledging individual need for the experience of Divinity
Divinity
Divinity and divine are broadly applied but loosely defined terms, used variously within different faiths and belief systems — and even by different individuals within a given faith — to refer to some transcendent or transcendental power or deity, or its attributes or manifestations in...
).
Biblical renewal started with Pius XII's 1943 encyclical Divino Afflante Spiritu
Divino Afflante Spiritu
Divino Afflante Spiritu is an encyclical letter issued by Pope Pius XII on September 30, 1943. It inaugurated the modern period of Roman Catholic Bible studies by permitting the limited use of modern methods of biblical criticism. The Catholic bible scholar Raymond E...
after which Catholic translations of the Bible became based directly on the texts found in manuscripts in the original languages. Later documents (of which Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation
Dei Verbum
Dei Verbum was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on November 18, 1965, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,344 to 6.23...
published as a result of the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
can be considered to be of special importance) were encouraged to provide versions of the Bible in the "mother tongues" of the faithful, and urged both clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
and laity to continue to make Bible study a central part of their lives.
Liturgical
Liturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
renewal was launched by the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
, emphasising that "the faithful should be led to that fully conscious and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy" (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
Sacrosanctum Concilium
Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, is one of the constitutions of the Second Vatican Council. It was approved by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,147 to 4 and promulgated by Pope Paul VI on December 4, 1963...
).
Other Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
documents, like the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
Lumen Gentium
Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, is one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council. This dogmatic constitution was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,151 to 5...
, can be considered to be the background for catechumenate renewal which was introduced in many Catholic particular churches
Particular Church
In Catholic canon law, a Particular Church is an ecclesial community headed by a bishop or someone recognised as the equivalent of a bishop.There are two kinds of particular Churches:# Local particular Churches ...
in many forms soon after the Council (of which the Neocatechumenate is probably the best known), and for charismatic renewal
Catholic Charismatic Renewal
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a movement within the Catholic Church. Worship is characterized by vibrant Masses, as well as prayer meetings featuring prophecy, healing and "praying in tongues." This movement is based on the belief that certain charismata , bestowed by the Holy Spirit, such as...
which started in 1967.