This 12-lecture course distills everything Catholics need to know today about the most important Catholic event of the 20th century.
First announced by Pope John XXIII in 1959, the Second Vatican Council was the first of its kind in a hundred years. From 1962 and 1965, religious leaders from around the globe convened to discuss doctrinal issues in desperate need of renewal.
Vatican II concluded more than fifty years ago, but it’s a livelier topic today than it has been for decades. Fundamental questions are being reopened.
The author of the definitive book on the council, What Happened at Vatican II (Harvard University, 2008), Fr. John O’Malley, S.J., brings you up to speed on the essential details of Vatican II in 12 easy-to-use audio lectures.
Fr.
Audio Sample:
This 12-lecture course distills everything Catholics need to know today about the most important Catholic event of the 20th century.
First announced by Pope John XXIII in 1959, the Second Vatican Council was the first of its kind in a hundred years. From 1962 and 1965, religious leaders from around the globe convened to discuss doctrinal issues in desperate need of renewal.
Vatican II concluded more than fifty years ago, but it’s a livelier topic today than it has been for decades. Fundamental questions are being reopened.
The author of the definitive book on the council, What Happened at Vatican II (Harvard University, 2008), Fr. John O’Malley, S.J., brings you up to speed on the essential details of Vatican II in 12 easy-to-use audio lectures.
Fr. O’Malley outlines the underlying issues that rocked the council and highlights their significance for Catholics today. How is the church to engage in dialogue with non-Christian religions? How can it overcome its Eurocentric approach to “new churches” in other parts of the world? As you explore the answers to these questions and others, you will reflect on the structure of the liturgy and its deeper meanings.
By the end, you will have received a thorough orientation to “the biggest meeting in the history of the world.” You will have a new appreciation for the problems it faced, and a new outlook on the questions being asked about the council—and the Catholic Church—today.
Your Free Electronic Study Guide! When you order this course, we will send you a free electronic study guide that you can access in 3 convenient ways:
1) You can check your order confirmation email. It will include a link that enables you to download your guide. 2) The back of your program package also contains a copy of this link. You can access your guide by simply entering this URL into your browser. 3) Your case of CDs or DVDs will contain a copy of your electronic guide on CD. Simply insert this disc into your computer’s CD/DVD drive to access your guide.
He has such a command of the material and summarizes so well the important themes and behind the scenes activities at the Council.
Rated 5 out of 5
Mr. Ed; Cape Cod, MA –
*
The presentation is excellent; holds your attention; and is a great understanding of what Vatican 2 is all about.
Rated 5 out of 5
Anonymous –
*
He is very knowledgeable on the subject and an engaging speaker. He does not speak as if he is reading from a paper.
Rated 5 out of 5
Fr. Michel Legault, Cromwell, CT –
*
Vatican II was as interesting as a thriller. It gives a very good synthesis of the events that happens during the councils, allowing us to discover the powerful action of the Holy Spirit.
Rated 5 out of 5
Ed Speegle, Gold River, CA, USA –
*
Fr. O’Malley provides insight into the council, its workings and decisions that overcomes the mis-information and confusion that is often reflected in the lay press.
Rated 5 out of 5
James M., Scotland, UK –
2015 Spring Survey
I was a student in Rome during Vatican Two. O’Malley’s history of the Council enabled me to re-live those great debates.
Rated 4 out of 5
Michael R., CA –
2015 Spring Survey
Clear and concise, not bogged down in dense theological concepts.
Rated 5 out of 5
Fr. Joseph –
Fr. O’Malley knows this topic inside and out!
Fr. O’Malley knows this topic (Vatican II) inside and out and is not afraid to talk about the difficulties encountered in the Council. No whitewashing.
Rated 5 out of 5
James –
O’Malley’s history of the Council enabled me to re-live those great debates.
I was a student in a Rome during Vatican Two. O’Malley’s history of the Council enabled me to re-live those great debates.
Rated 5 out of 5
John –
John O’Malley does a great job of explaining events and people in context.
John O’Malley does a great job of explaining events and people in context. I believe that knowing the history of a group or a period enables us to keep things in perspective
Rated 5 out of 5
Michele –
Easy to listen to.
I found the set on Vatican II easy to listen to. Some humour in them and lots of information. The presenter, Fr. John O’Malley, was very well versed in his area of expertise and had a pleasant speaking voice. I listened to the CDs three times over as I drove to and from work in the car. It was like having a very intelligent companion conversing with me. Excellent.
Rated 5 out of 5
Bill –
great overall view of the Council
Good background on Vatican II and great overall view of the Council, its aims, and its accomplishments.
Rated 5 out of 5
Anonymous –
For us old people who remember Vatican II as adults, it is a good review.
For us old people who remember Vatican II as adults, it is a good review. For the young people who do not, it is a good description of what Vatican II is all about.
Rated 5 out of 5
Peter –
Vatican II with John O’Malley is well delivered
Vatican II with John O’Malley is well delivered; a voice that I could listen to for a long time.
Rated 5 out of 5
Harold –
Very detailed
It was very detailed in explaining what Councils are, why they are called, and the difference between ecumenical and other councils.
Rated 5 out of 5
Fr. Carroll –
Excellent analysis
Vatican II presents an excellent analysis of the Church prior to, during and after the Council. It gives a deeper understanding of the profound change in the mission of the Church brought about by the Council.
Rated 5 out of 5
Fr. Don –
A further understanding
Regarding the program on Vatican II, this is helping with a further understanding of the Council. I wonder at times if we have fully understood the impact of that Council with its challenge, insights, struggles within the Council, and ways to live that struggle now.
Rated 5 out of 5
John –
Outstanding scholarship
Outstanding scholarship, organization, presentation, accurate whole view of Vatican II and its spirit.
Rated 5 out of 5
Tony V., PA –
Winter Survey: January 2017
Fascinating insights into an event that I remember from childhood, but had no real understanding of, then or later. The author’s background details about the internal politics of the Council were of great value in forming a belated revised opinion of the value and legacy of the Council.
Rated 5 out of 5
Bridget T., New Zealand –
Winter Survey: January 2017
John O’Malley is such an expert of this subject that it is great to hear him talk about it. I have a great interest in church history and particularly in this topic. It is nice to study it in another medium, other than books – makes it come alive.
Rated 5 out of 5
Kevin M., NY –
Winter Survey: January 2017
Insights from an expert on the history of the Council and on history and councils in general.
Rated 5 out of 5
Anonymous –
Winter Survey: January 2017
When Vatican II took place I was out of the US of A and never got any news or connection as I was in a very remote area. By the time I returned to the US of A Vatican II results seemed to be in place. So never really knew anything about it that was substantial. The courses I listened to time and again seemed to fill that gap.
Rated 4 out of 5
Kevin M., NY –
Winter Survey: January 2017
I appreciated the detail of not just the Council but also the how it came to be, why it is important, and how does it affect today’s church.
Rated 5 out of 5
Fr. Carroll M., OFM, IL –
Spring Survey: April 2017
Placing Vatican II in the context of the history and development of the Church.
Rated 5 out of 5
Bridget T. New Zealand –
Spring Survey: April 2017
I love Church History. Difficult to choose a favorite, but this course helps so much with understanding the Vatican Council, which is so important to us in the Church today.
Enter your email address for a free coupon, and to find out about future specials and promotions. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Now You Know Media is now Learn25
In an effort to provide our customers the best possible experience, we have created a new website for you at Learn25.com to browse our selection of over 400 audio and video courses by top professors.
tom –
superb
He has such a command of the material and summarizes so well the important themes and behind the scenes activities at the Council.
Mr. Ed; Cape Cod, MA –
*
The presentation is excellent; holds your attention; and is a great understanding of what Vatican 2 is all about.
Anonymous –
*
He is very knowledgeable on the subject and an engaging speaker. He does not speak as if he is reading from a paper.
Fr. Michel Legault, Cromwell, CT –
*
Vatican II was as interesting as a thriller. It gives a very good synthesis of the events that happens during the councils, allowing us to discover the powerful action of the Holy Spirit.
Ed Speegle, Gold River, CA, USA –
*
Fr. O’Malley provides insight into the council, its workings and decisions that overcomes the mis-information and confusion that is often reflected in the lay press.
James M., Scotland, UK –
2015 Spring Survey
I was a student in Rome during Vatican Two. O’Malley’s history of the Council enabled me to re-live those great debates.
Michael R., CA –
2015 Spring Survey
Clear and concise, not bogged down in dense theological concepts.
Fr. Joseph –
Fr. O’Malley knows this topic inside and out!
Fr. O’Malley knows this topic (Vatican II) inside and out and is not afraid to talk about the difficulties encountered in the Council. No whitewashing.
James –
O’Malley’s history of the Council enabled me to re-live those great debates.
I was a student in a Rome during Vatican Two. O’Malley’s history of the Council enabled me to re-live those great debates.
John –
John O’Malley does a great job of explaining events and people in context.
John O’Malley does a great job of explaining events and people in context. I believe that knowing the history of a group or a period enables us to keep things in perspective
Michele –
Easy to listen to.
I found the set on Vatican II easy to listen to. Some humour in them and lots of information. The presenter, Fr. John O’Malley, was very well versed in his area of expertise and had a pleasant speaking voice. I listened to the CDs three times over as I drove to and from work in the car. It was like having a very intelligent companion conversing with me. Excellent.
Bill –
great overall view of the Council
Good background on Vatican II and great overall view of the Council, its aims, and its accomplishments.
Anonymous –
For us old people who remember Vatican II as adults, it is a good review.
For us old people who remember Vatican II as adults, it is a good review. For the young people who do not, it is a good description of what Vatican II is all about.
Peter –
Vatican II with John O’Malley is well delivered
Vatican II with John O’Malley is well delivered; a voice that I could listen to for a long time.
Harold –
Very detailed
It was very detailed in explaining what Councils are, why they are called, and the difference between ecumenical and other councils.
Fr. Carroll –
Excellent analysis
Vatican II presents an excellent analysis of the Church prior to, during and after the Council. It gives a deeper understanding of the profound change in the mission of the Church brought about by the Council.
Fr. Don –
A further understanding
Regarding the program on Vatican II, this is helping with a further understanding of the Council. I wonder at times if we have fully understood the impact of that Council with its challenge, insights, struggles within the Council, and ways to live that struggle now.
John –
Outstanding scholarship
Outstanding scholarship, organization, presentation, accurate whole view of Vatican II and its spirit.
Tony V., PA –
Winter Survey: January 2017
Fascinating insights into an event that I remember from childhood, but had no real understanding of, then or later. The author’s background details about the internal politics of the Council were of great value in forming a belated revised opinion of the value and legacy of the Council.
Bridget T., New Zealand –
Winter Survey: January 2017
John O’Malley is such an expert of this subject that it is great to hear him talk about it. I have a great interest in church history and particularly in this topic. It is nice to study it in another medium, other than books – makes it come alive.
Kevin M., NY –
Winter Survey: January 2017
Insights from an expert on the history of the Council and on history and councils in general.
Anonymous –
Winter Survey: January 2017
When Vatican II took place I was out of the US of A and never got any news or connection as I was in a very remote area. By the time I returned to the US of A Vatican II results seemed to be in place. So never really knew anything about it that was substantial. The courses I listened to time and again seemed to fill that gap.
Kevin M., NY –
Winter Survey: January 2017
I appreciated the detail of not just the Council but also the how it came to be, why it is important, and how does it affect today’s church.
Fr. Carroll M., OFM, IL –
Spring Survey: April 2017
Placing Vatican II in the context of the history and development of the Church.
Bridget T. New Zealand –
Spring Survey: April 2017
I love Church History. Difficult to choose a favorite, but this course helps so much with understanding the Vatican Council, which is so important to us in the Church today.
Kathy W., WI –
Summer 2018 Survey
It is great for understanding the modern church.