Gaudium et Spes acknowledged humanity’s search for meaning and
an experience of the divine in a world marked by constant change.
The church offers the men and women of our age, and of every time
and place, the enduring message of the Gospel and arms opened
in friendship to all on the human journey. Moreover, the pastoral
constitution tells us that we are not powerless before the currents of
time, but possess the message of eternal life and salvation in Jesus
Christ. That is something we need to hear again today.
In this Issue
Paul J. Wadell is our guide to exploring Gaudium et Spes, the last of the
conciliar documents to be promulgated at Vatican II on December 7,
1965. His article is so beautiful a summary of the decree’s core ideas
and teachings that you might want to read it slowly and savor it. Father
Norman Pelletier looks at Gaudium et Spes through a very particular
lens — that of religious life. He has spent many years in leadership of
the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament on the international and
provincial levels.
The three short articles in the Eucharist: Living & Evangelizing section
touch on a variety of topics: the origins of the Eucharist (Niranjan
Rodrigo), its ongoing challenge and transforming power (Frank A.
Squitteri), and the reverence which has been shown the mysterium
fidei through the ages (David W. T. Brattston).
Victor M. Parachin suggests 24 very practical ways to enrich your
Gospel living and spirituality this Lent. The church’s great penitential
season has always been about renewing the quality of our Christian
discipleship by getting back to the basics. By doing so, and by God’s
patience and grace, we will arrive at the new life of Easter. The
nourishment of word and sacrament sustain us on the way.
Anthony Schueller, SSS
Editor
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