Blessed John XXIII

Today is the feast day of Blessed John the 23rd, who was the Pope who called for the Second Vatican Council, one of the most important events in the Catholic Church in many centuries.

The first session of the Second Vatican Council began on October 11, 1962.  While this linked article -which will give you more information about Good Pope John -lists his feast day as June 3 (the date of his death), October 11 is obviously also linked to him for the obvious association with Vatican 2.

(Once he's canonized in April, 2104, we'll see what the official, official date is!)

A wonderful anniversary!

On this day forty-nine years ago, Pope John 23rd opened the Second Vatican Council. This gathering of bishops from all over the world happened over the course of 3 autumns, and served to breathe new life into the Roman Catholic Church. It would not be an overstatement to say that it was the most important church event of the 20th century.

For a bit of background information on "Good Pope John", please click here .

And for a neat reflective video on Blessed John 23rd and the opening of Vatican 2, please click here and enjoy for 9 minutes!