Vigils Reading

A reading from “Lumen Gentium” of

THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL

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The Lord Jesus, having prayed at length to the Father, called to himself

those he desired and appointed twelve to be with him, whom he might send to

preach the kingdom of God. These Apostles he established in the form of a

College or permanent assembly, at the head of which he placed Peter who was

chosen from amongst them. He sent them first of all to the children of Israel and

then to all peoples, so that, sharing in his power, they might make all peoples his

disciples and sanctify and govern them. Thus they would spread the Church,

administer it under the guidance of the Lord, and shepherd it until the end of

the world. They were fully confirmed in this mission on the day of Pentecost

according to the Lord’s promise: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit

descends on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea

and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

So, just as by the Lord’s decree St Peter and the rest of the Apostles

constitute a unique apostolic College, so the Roman Pontiff, Peter’s successor,

and the Bishops, the successors of the Apostles, are related with and united to

one another. By ancient discipline the Bishops throughout the whole world lived

in communion with one another and with the Roman Pontiff in a bond of unity,

charity and peace; they also held Councils in order to settle together, in a

decision rendered balanced and equitable by the advice of many, all questions of

major importance.

Both these facts show clearly the collegiate character and structure of the

episcopal order, which is confirmed by the holding of Ecumenical Councils in

the course of the centuries. Indeed, pointing to it also quite clearly is the custom,

dating from very early times, of summoning a number of Bishops to take part in

the elevation of one newly chosen to the highest sacerdotal office. A man is

made a member of the episcopal body by sacramental consecration and

hierarchical communion with the head and members of the College.

This College, composed of many members, is the expression of the

diversity and universality of the People of God. It also shows the unity of the

flock of Christ because it is assembled under one head. In it the Bishops, whilst

loyally respecting the primacy and preeminence of their head, exercise their

own proper authority for the good of their faithful and of the whole Church,

whose organic structure and harmony are strengthened by the continued

influence of the Holy Spirit.

The supreme authority over the whole Church, which this College

possesses, is exercised in a solemn way in an Ecumenical Council. Every

Ecumenical Council is confirmed or at least recognized as such by the successor

of Peter and it is the prerogative of the Roman Pontiff to convoke such Councils,

to preside over them and to confirm them.