COMMEMORATING THE OPENING OF "VATICAN II" AS WE BEGIN CELEBRATING THE "YEAR OF FAITH"............

Marking the Golden Jubilee of the day on which the Second Vatican Council began - today in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City / Rome; His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, presided at a 50th Anniversary concelebrated Mass, joined by a throng of other Bishops, Priests, prelates, patriarchs, and a dozen senior churchmen, who like himself attended the Ecumenical Council half a century ago. Pope Benedict XVI, used the occasion today, to also open the Year Of Faith he has designated beginning with the commemoration of Vatican II.  As a young priest and theology professor Reverend Father Joseph Ratzinger, who is now Benedict XVI, attended the Second Vatican Council, as a theological advisor to Cologne Germany's Archbishop Frings, going on to become a Council expert.  Following the Jubilee Mass in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father joined in the re-enactment of the great procession into St. Peter's Basilica, that inaugurated the Council on October 11, 1962.  Preaching at today's Mass the Pontiff called upon the Faithful to return to both the, "letter", and "authentic spirit", of Vatican II as found in the Council Documents; not the distortions of those who misinterpreted Vatican II as radical breaking with the ancient teachings and practices of the Church.  He said, "The Council did not formulate anything new in matters of faith, nor did it wish to replace anything that was ancient"..."Rather it concerned itself with seeing the same faith might continue to be lived in the present day, that it might remain a living faith in a world of change".  More on the 50th Anniversary of the start of Vatican in the days ahead as this Year Of Faith proceeds............tdp