The constitution Dei Verbum, concerning divine revelation and Sacred Scripture, was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on November 18, 1965, following the Second Vatican Council.
This is a document of extraordinary importance because it places the Word of God and Sacred Scripture (which contains this Word) back at the center of the life of the Church and of every believer.
The 6 chapters of the Constitution can be summarized in 5 points:
- At the heart of revelation is God, who reveals himself and shows his face because, out of love, he wishes to be known by humanity, which seeks him throughout all ages and cultures.
- Jesus is the heart of revelation, its mediator and its fullness. He is the Word of God, the Dei Verbum.
- Scripture and Tradition are not in conflict; rather, they are the two ways in which revelation, completed once and for all, is perpetuated through time.
- The sacred text should be studied scientifically in order to understand its meaning, but it must always be interpreted in the light of the same Spirit who inspired it.
- The faithful must nourish themselves on the treasures of the Word of God through frequent reading of the Scriptures accompanied by prayer, so that a living dialogue may be established between God and humanity.
The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) produced a total of 16 documents: 4 constitutions, 9 decrees, and 3 declarations.
The next Jubilee, proclaimed by Pope Francis, will take place in 2025 and will have hope as its theme (“Pilgrims of Hope” is the title).
At the Holy Father's request, preparations for this great event in the life of the Church will begin this year, which will be dedicated to rediscovering the fundamental themes of the four constitutions of the Second Vatican Council.
The Dicastery for Evangelization, in collaboration with Shalom Publishing House, has produced 34 short study guides, written by experts in language accessible to everyone, to enable those who are not thoroughly familiar with the Council to discover its teaching.
Four volumes of this outstanding work are devoted to exploring Dei Verbum in greater depth.
DISCOVER THE FOUR VOLUMES NOW
