To Sanctify the World

The Vital Legacy of Vatican II

By: George Weigel

Narrated by: Steven Arthur

A leading Catholic intellectual explains why the teachings of the Second Vatican Council are essential to the Church's future—and the world's

The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) was the most important Catholic event in the past five hundred years. Yet sixty years after its opening on October 11, 1962, its meaning remains sharply contested and its promise unfulfilled.

In To Sanctify the World, George Weigel explains the necessity of Vatican II and explores the continuing relevance of its teaching in a world seeking a deeper experience of freedom than personal willfulness. The Council’s texts are also a critical resource for the Catholic Church as it lives out its original, Christ-centered evangelical purpose.

Written with insight and verve, To Sanctify the World recovers the true meaning of Vatican II as the template for a Catholicism that can propose a path toward genuine human dignity and social solidarity.

©2022 George Weigel (P)2022 Basic Books

Critic reviews

“Historians tell us that the genuine interpretation of an Ecumenical Council’s teaching usually at least takes sixty years to settle. That means we are now at the point of serenely and sanely understanding the authentic magisterium of Vatican Council II. And count on George Weigel to provide an attractive and compelling synthesis of it.”—His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan

“In explaining why Vatican II was necessary and what it taught, George Weigel has given us a rich history of the Catholic Church’s efforts to meet the challenges of modernity. Viewed in their intellectual, social and political context, the personalities, debates, and documents of that momentous event emerge with new clarity in this remarkable work. Meticulously documented, yet eminently readable, To Sanctify the World is a matchless guide to the meaning and import of the Second Vatican Council.”—Mary Ann Glendon, author of A World Made New and The Forum and the Tower

“In this book, Weigel gives a masterful interpretation of the Second Vatican Council that could not come at a better time for seminarians, theologians, pastors, and all who seek to understand its documents. He provides important keys for understanding the legacy of Vatican II, helping us through the contemporary debates about the Council. Weigel’s engaging book is a watershed in studies of Vatican II.”—Eduardo J. Echeverria, Sacred Heart Major Seminary

A great summary of the council

The author gives definite reason for the validity and sanctity of Vatican II council.

A must read!

This book gives a great summation of how Vatican II came to be, what was promulgated and the path of its implementation. It’s a book worth your time!

Insightful guide to reading of Vatican II documents

A wonderfully insightful book, as are all George Weigel's books! Only wish the narration was of the same stellar quality. It was a bit distracting at points.

A Church in mission!

Thank you, Mr Weigel. We are a hopeful people, we will not fall to despair. What a terrific and timely history lesson. God bless.

second listen

this book explains wonderfully the history behind Vatican II as well as the path forward w the teachings from Vatican II.

A Fifty Year Review

I was in college when the documents were being published. Fortunately one of my professors had been a participant at the Council.
As a busy pastor it has been difficult to keep up with all the documents released since the Council. This book has been a great help.
If I may add a note of concern it is the neo-clericalism that is harming parishes and vocations to the priesthood.

A powerful argument for how to find a “via media” between two tempting but erroneous positions

Vatican II opened up opportunities for both, on one side true reform, and on the other for modernists (in the worst sense of the word) to spread a fluffy puffy (utterly false), hopelessly watered down version of the Faith. We are, Weigel argues, only in the early stages of resisting the latter and solidifying the version that John Paul II and Benedict XVI have attempted to teach. My main beef is thatWeigel goes easy on the current leadership. God help us.

A Must Read for the "Catholic in the Pew"

“To Sanctify the World” is a totally engaging book by George Weigel that gives the reader an understandable understanding of the effects that Vatican ll has had on the Catholic Church and some of the key contributors. Weigel makes it clear that Saint Pope John Paul ll and Pope Benedict XVl provided us with critical insight into understanding what was to be achieved from Vatican ll and where we are today on that path. A must read to obtain an initial understand how Vatican ll has been implemented, some of the miss-steps, and how it will support the Church in this new millennium. Experienced as an Audio Book.

Wonderful book!

George Weigel does a wonderful job as usual; giving an in depth and balanced view on the state of the Church. A great read.

how to get money back?

this book is corrupt. chapter 9 onwards.. doesn't make any sense.
is it an audible problem or have other audio book providers the same issue?