141 pages – Suggested weeks to complete 12-20 weeks minimum
Table of Contents
Chapter One – The Mystery of the Church
Chapter Two – The People of God
Chapter Three – The Structure of the Church
Chapter Four – The Laity
Chapter Five – The Universal Call to Holiness
Chapter Six – The Religious Life
Chapter Seven – The Already and Not Yet
Chapter Eight – Mary, Mother of God
A sample two-hour session
7:00 p.m. – Hellos
7:15–7:20 p.m. – Opening Prayer
7:20–7:40 p.m. – Read
7:40–8:00 p.m. – Discuss
8:00 p.m. – Break
8:10–8:30 p.m. – Read
8:30–8:50 p.m. – Discuss
8:50 p.m. – Closing Prayers/Announcements
9:00 p.m. – Goodbyes
Supplemental resources
- Listen to an audio version of Chapter 1 of Lumen Gentium
- Message to Endow women from the author of this study!
- On History & The Church YouTube Playlist
Paying it forward
Share interviews from the Endow YouTube Channel and episodes from The Endow Podcast with the women in your life!
Make a one-time gift to Endow to help women all over the world discover their God-given dignity!
Become a monthly supporter and join the Feminine Genius Circle!
I think this group isn’t shy about learning, but sometimes vocabulary can be challenging. But I can honestly say that they have met every challenge that has come and there has been tremendous personal growth for everyone. Thanks be to God!
Shelby
One of Endow’s greatest responsibilities is to safeguard the deposit of faith handed down to us from generations. For that very reason Endow has chosen this document as one of our studies because it addresses the question we currently face: What does the modern church look like? What are we supposed to be to the world in our current culture? This document was written to explain the intent and vision for Vatican II breaking down an understanding of who we are and what we believe. Light of the Nations is the constitution of the Catholic faith in our current time and an essential foundational piece of knowledge every Catholic should intimately be familiar with.
Navigating the study
Lumen Gentium (Light of the Nations) is one of the most foundational texts of The Second Vatican Council. It is also one of our most in-depth and robust studies. Although there are 8 chapters, we recommend a minimum of 12-20 weeks to complete this study. A few quick notes for facilitators of this study:
- The Dogmatic Constitution is not included in this study but is only referred to throughout the chapters. For example, where it says “Read Lumen Gentium, 1-5” this is an indication to read the texts (paragraphs 1-5) from the actual document. By the end of the study, you will have read the entire document of Lumen Gentium.
- There are many discussion questions in this study guide and it is impossible to answer all of them. It is up to the discretion of the facilitator to follow the lead of the women as well as the Holy Spirit in helping steward the questions that are most striking to the group!
- Remember quality over quantity.
The commentary for this study guide was written by Professor Steve Weidenkopf.
How to get started
Step one – Register your group
Step two – Subscribe to the Endow Newsletter and ask your group to do the same!
Step three – Join us for our next virtual event. Check out our Events page.
The Endow team is here to support you in studying this important document! For an initial 20-minute Zoom meeting with us, please contact [email protected] with the subject line “Mentoring meeting”
We are here to support you
Throughout your study, as spiritual, theological, or pastoral questions arise, please contact Simone Rizkallah, Director of Program Growth, for support and additional resources to answer any questions that may arise! Please also consider emailing her testimonies from your group! We love to hear what the Lord is doing with your women!
Lumen Gentium promotional kit