• Through baptism we are implanted in the Paschal mystery (Sacrosanctum concilium 6)
  Christ is always present in His church (Sacrosanctum concilium 7)
  Full, conscious, active participation in the liturgy (Sacrosanctum concilium 14)
  A theology of divine revelation (Dei verbum 2)
  A theology of tradition (Dei verbum 8)
  The church is like a sacrament (Lumen gentium 1)
  The Holy Spirit in the church (Lumen gentium 4)
  Eucharistic ecclesiology (Lumen gentium 7)
  The baptismal and ministerial priesthood (Lumen gentium 10)
  The church's mission in the world (Gaudium et spes 40)
  The role of the laity in the world (Gaudium et spes 43)
  Christian marriage and family (Gaudium et spes 48)
  The ministry of the bishop (Christus dominus 11)
  Episcopal collegiality (Lumen gentium 23)
  The global catholicity of the church (Lumen gentium 13)
  The right to religious freedom (Dignitatis humanae 2)
  Communion in faith with other Christians (Unitatis redintegratio 3)
  Reform of the church (Unitatis redintegratio 6)
  Hierarchy of truths (Unitatis redintegratio 11)
  The church and world religions (Nostra aetate 2)

"As the church marks the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, too few Catholics have an adequate grasp of what the council contributed to the life of the church. The problem is understandable. The Second Vatican Council produced, by far, more document pages than any other council. Consequently, any attempt to master its core teachings can be daunting. There is a danger of missing the forest for the trees. With this in mind, Keys to the Council identifies twenty key conciliar passages, central texts that help us appreciate the vision of the council fathers. Each chapter places the given passage in its larger historical context, explores its fundamental meaning and significance, and finally considers its larger significance for the life of the church today. Chapters include exploration of Sacrosanctum Concilium's demand for "full, conscious, and active participation" in the liturgy; Lumen Gentium's eucharistic ecclesiology; Gaudium et Spes's vision of marriage as an intimate partnership of life and love; Nostra Aetate's approach to non-Christian religions; and more."