How did Vatican II change the Catholic Church?

HOW DID VATICAN II CHANGE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH?

The Second Vatican Council was a worldwide church council that was called by Pope John XXII on the 25th of January 1959. It officially opened on October 11th, 1962. More than two thousand, five hundred (2,500) Fathers were present at the opening Mass- the greatest gathering at any Council in the history of the Church. Vatican II, which basically was a series of four sessions, was called to increase the role of the laity in parishes and dioceses, and to change the church in accordance with modernizing times. Religious officials, journalists and other observers from all around the world flocked to Vatican II to report the proceedings of the council. The council ended up releasing six official documents, which defined the nature of the church, gave bishops greater influence in church affairs, and gave the congregation a more active part in the liturgy.

Life before Vatican II would have been very hard to live as a Catholic, especially a ...