Sacrosanctum Concilium

As the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium was one of the most significant measures enacted by 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.

Mother Church earnestly desires that all 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. Such participation by the Christian people as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people (1 Pet. 2:9; cf. 2:4-5), is their right and duty by reason of their baptism. In the restoration and promotion of the sacred liturgy, this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else; for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit; and therefore pastors of souls must zealously strive to achieve it, by means of the necessary instruction, in all their pastoral work. (SC 14)

Contents

1. General Principles for the Restoration and Promotion of the Sacred Liturgy
2. The Most Sacred Mystery of the Eucharist
3. The Other Sacraments and Sacramentals
4. The Divine Office
5. The Liturgical Year
6. Sacred Music
7. Sacred Art and Sacred Furnishings

Appendix: A Declaration on the Revision of the Calendar

As is customary with Catholic documents, the name of this constitution, "Sacred Council" in Latin, is taken from the first line of the document. The full text in English is available on the Vatican web site at: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en