Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM

The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council. It was the first document issued by the Council, whose purpose was expressed in the opening paragraph: ". . . to impart an ever increasing vigor to the life of the faithful; to adapt more closely to the needs of our age those institutions which are subject to change; to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ; to strengthen whatever can help to call all mankind into the Church's fold" (December 4, 1963).