Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (4 December 1963)
Acta Apostolicae Sedis, vol. 56, pp. 97-138 (1964)
14., paras. 1 & 2. The Council earnestly desires that all the faithful to be lead to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations called for by the very nature of the liturgy. Such participation by the Christian people as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people" (1 Pt. 2:9, see 2:4-5) is their right and duty by reason of their baptism.
In the reform and promotion of the liturgy, this full and active participation by all of the people is the aim to be considered before all else. For it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit and therefore pastors must zealously strive in all their pastoral work to achieve such participation by means of the necessary instruction.
19. With zeal and patience pastors must promote the liturgical instruction of the faithful and also their active participation in the liturgy both internally and externally, taking into account their age and condition, their way of life, and their stage of religious development. By doing so, pastors will be fulfilling their chief duties as faithful stewards of the mysteries of God; and in this matter they must lead their flock not only by word but also be example.
30. To promote active participation, the people should be encouraged to take part by means of acclamations, responses, psalmody, antiphons, and songs, as well as by actions, gestures, and bearing. And at the proper times all should should observe a reverent silence.
43. Zeal for the promotion and restoration of the liturgy is rightly held to be a sign of the providential dispositions of God in our time, a movement of the Holy Spirit in his Church. Today it is a distinguishing mark of the Church's life, indeed of the whole tenor of contemporary religious thought and action. (Remainder omitted.)
48. The Church, therefore, earnestly desires that Christ's faithful, when present at this mystery of faith, should not be as strangers or silent spectators; on the contrary, through a good understanding of the rites and prayers they should take part in the sacred service conscious of what they are doing, with devotion and full involvement. (Remainder omitted.)
54. para. 2. Nevertheless steps should be taken enabling the faithful to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass belonging to them.
English text from Documents on the Liturgy: 1963-1979. Collegeville, Minn.: The Liturgical Press, 1983. pp. 4-27.
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