Includes bibliographical references.

Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 21 November 1964 -- Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum, 18 November 1965 -- Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium, 4 December 1963 -- Pastoral Constitutions on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 7 December 1965 -- Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church Christus Dominus, 28 October 1965 -- Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests Presbyterorum Ordinis, 7 December 1965 -- Decree on the Training of Priests Optatam Totius, 28 October 1965 -- Decree on the Up-To-Date Renewal of Religious Life, Perfectae Caritatis, 28 October 1965 -- Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People Apostolicam Actuositatem, 18 November 1965 -- Decree on the Church's Missionary Activity Ad Gentes Divinitus, 7 December 1965 -- Decree on Ecumenism Unitatis Redintegratio, 21 November 1964 -- Decree on the Catholic Eastern Churches Orientation Ecclesiarum, 21 November 1965 -- Decree on the Mass Media Inter Mirifica, 4 December 1963 -- Declaration on Religious Liberty Dignitatis Humanae, 7 December 1965 -- Declaration on the Relation of the Church Non-Christian Religious Nostra Aetate, 28 October 1965 -- Declaration on Christian Education Gravissimum Educationis, 28 October 1965

The Church's twenty-one ecumenical councils have been crucial to its understanding of its biblical heritage. They have taken place less frequently in recent centuries, only three since 1517: Trent (1545-1563), Vatican I (1869-1870) and Vatican II (1962-1965). Their absorption into the day-to-day belief and practice of individual Christian has always taken time. ANd Vatican II has been no exception. Hence the importance of this completely revised translation of Vatican II's sixteen documents, without commentary or additional documentation, and in inclusive language. A new edition of the documents of the 21st ecumenical council, for the 21st century.