Why is October 11 significant in the life of Pope John XXIII and that of the Second
Vatican Council?
Pope John XXIII decided to convene the Second Vatican Council on October 11, 1962, the feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. John XXIII was attuned to the symbolic connections made through feast days.
A key motivation for calling the ecumenical council was John’s overwhelming desire to extend “an invitation to the faithful of the separated communities to participate with us in this quest for unity and grace?” Beginning the council on this feast day expressed John’s desire to connect with the Orthodox Church, one of the “separated communities,” for whom the feast was especially significant. The readings for the Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrating the opening of the council were chanted in both Latin and Greek, signifying the unity of both East and West. As Mass ended, Pope John XXIII delivered the most significant speech of his life. He began with the Latin words “Gaudet Mater Ecclesia,” “Mother Church rejoices,” and continued in a tone of joyful hopefulness. He wished the council to be pastoral in style, enabling the church to be a source of unity for the entire world.
Pope John died in June of 1963 and was beatified on September 3, 2000. Blessed John XXIII’s feast day is celebrated on October 11, the most significant day of his entire life. On this special day, pray for church unity and peace.
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