Lenten Small Group Study
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For the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, Pope Francis extended a number of opportunities to receive a plenary indulgence. One option is to participate in a parish study of the documents of the Second Vatican Council. In order to give this opportunity to our parishioners, we will be hosting a Small Group Study of the Second Vatican Council during Lent.
The Second Vatican Council was groundbreaking, truly setting the course for the Church into the new millennium. Unfortunately, most people, including most Catholics, have never read the documents and do not know the wisdom they contain. Indeed, many people have pre-conceived notions when they hear the words "Vatican II." This is why it is extremely important for all Catholics to have at least a basic knowledge of the documents of the council, what they said and how they continue to effect us.
Sessions will begin at 6:00 and run until 7:30, will small groups forming at both St. Albert in Sun Prairie and St Joseph in Waterloo (Stations of the Cross will precede the sessions in the church at St. Albert). We will not have time to cover all of the documents in depth, but in general each session will include a brief explanation of two of the documents followed by small group questions and discussions for each (please see schedule below).
Since the Vatican II can be complicated, if not controversial, in some aspects. To that end, the documents will be presented with as little bias as possible. A number of commentaries will be used in the presentation, and participants are encouraged to read ahead of time. Primary concern would be to read the documents, secondary would be to read commentaries. Links for resources on the left.
We do ask that everyone register beforehand, so that we have room for everyone. If you plan on attending, please call (608-837-7381) or email ([email protected]) the office prior to the first session on March 13. Thank you!
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Clarification about Availability
These sessions will not be live-streamed, nor will they be recorded. Similar to last year's Lenten study on Jesus and the Eucharist, this is meant to be a small group study, facilitated in-person. Since a large portion of the time will be small group discussions, any recording would be mostly quiet, and thus not beneficial for anyone who is not present for the small groups. If you cannot make the scheduled time, it is still good to read the commentaries on your own to learn more about these important documents of our faith.
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Schedule of Sessions (tentative)
Thursday, March 13: Introduction/Ad Gentes (On the Mission Activity of the Church)
Thursday, March 20: Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy)/Orientalium Ecclesiarum (Decree on the Catholic Churches of the Eastern Rite)
Thursday, March 27: Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church)/Unitatis Redintegratio (Decree on Ecumenism)Thursday, April 3: Dei Verbum (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation)/Nostra Aetate (Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions)Thursday, April 10: Gaudium et Spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World)/Dignitatis Humanae (Declaration on Religious Freedom) -
Plenary Indulgences
Even after we confess our sins and are forgiven, we still must pay consequences either here on earth or in purgatory. An indulgence frees the recipient from those consequences. Indulgences cannot be bought, but must be sought sincerely with a desire to live a holy life. A partial indulgence covers part of the punishment due sins; a plenary indulgence removes all due punishment.
In order to gain an indulgence, the faithful must be in the state of grace. A plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day. Indulgences can be applied either to oneself or the the souls of the deceased. There are usual conditions and particular conditions for indulgences.
The usual conditions including: having a complete detachment from sin, even venial sin; sacramental confession (usually within a week); reception of Holy Communion (usually within a week), prayer for the intentions of the pope (usually an Our Father and Hail Mary will suffice). The particular condition, in this case, is to take part in a study of the Second Vatican Council documents.
For more information, please visit here.
