The first period of Vatican II (1962) was its most crucial; by freeing the Council from the narrow channels of the official drafts, it permitted it to expand its vision and eventually to produce texts that represented and encouraged the three goals Pope John set out for the Council: spiritual renewal, pastoral updating (aggiornamento), and the pursuit of Christian unity.
Four major scenes defined the first act of the conciliar drama; for them I have supplied some useful material:
1) Pope John’s opening speech, with my summary
2) the election of members for conciliar commissions
3) the debate and vote on the liturgy
4) the debate and vote on the draft on the sources of revelation.
"In verbo veritatis" (2 Cor 6:7) 
Karissime Pater,
I hope this finds you well, and beginning Lent in a profitable fashion.
Currently, I am translating (into English) a French article from the journal Sedes Sapientiae concerning the magisterial authority of Vatican II, which cites French translations of the Italian and Latin iterations of John XXIII’s “Gaudet Mater Ecclesia.” Although I could either make third-hand translations from the French or direct ones from the original documents (though the Italian would tax my “little grey cells”), I was pleased to find that you have already produced perfectly sound versions yourself. First, then, I was wondering whether you might permit me to use these translations – naturally, due acknowledgement would be made –, and, if so, how I should cite them (i.e. the name, date, bibliographical information, etc.). Do these English translations happened to be published elsewhere?
With warm regards,
David Foley
Ph.D. University of Toronto
Comment by David Foley — February 22, 2021 @ 9:02 pm
Yes, you may make use of my translations of Pope John’s speeches.
Comment by komonchak — February 23, 2021 @ 9:30 am