On the evening of December 8, 2005, which marked the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, we were privileged to welcome Archbishop Hunthausen for an evening of reflection on the legacy of the Second Vatican Council. As a young bishop, Archbishop Hunthausen participated in all four sessions of the Council.  The celebration continues in this series of essays by Corinna Laughlin, Director of Liturgy.

Part 1: Preparations for the Council
Explore Pope John XXIII's vision for the council, and the effects Liturgical Renewal was already having in Seattle during the Summer of 1962.

Part 2: The First Session
"To think that I should live to see this day!" Archbishop Connolly wrote of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.  Bishop Gill said:  "Vatican II is a historical moment, but more--history itself moving."

Part 3: The Second Session
Cardinal Frings and Cardinal Ottaviani face off during the debate on collegiality.  Archbishop Connolly reports:  "It was the hottest exchange yet but of course, such things are to be expected for this council is not a sodality meeting."

Part 4: The Third Session
"In these exciting days, the Spirit is no longer whispering his inspirations.  He is working so obviously and calling so loudly that the devout can honestly say, 'It's a great time for a Christian to be alive!'"  Bonus: Read about the renewal of the liturgy in the Archdiocese of Seattle.

Part 5:  The Fourth Session
The Council closes, and the work begins.  Cardinal Suenens says: "Perhaps we can say that we have not yet reached May... nevertheless there can be no doubt that spring has come."  Before the end, Seattle's own Archbishop Connolly addresses the Council Fathers on the subject of priestly obedience. He reports afterwards: "My remarks were considered to be quite apropos, as it were."

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