See the following texts of the original schemata for the Second Vatican Council, translated and published online by Fr. Joseph A. Komonchak:

See also the following related documents:

  • An Outline for the Ecumenical Council, by the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office, translated by Fr. Joseph A. Komonchak (2012). Available in pdf format (on this page) at In Verbo Veritatis.
  • The “Brief Outlines” of Dogmatic Constitutions, prepared by the Preparatory Theological Commission for the Second Vatican Council (Summer 1960), translated by Fr. Joseph A. Komonchak (2012). Available in pdf format (on this page) at In Verbo Veritatis.

Posted on the Feast of Pope St. John XXIII, and on the anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council; with thanks to Unam Sanctam Catholicam and A Blog for Dallas Area Catholics for providing links to and brief commentaries on the schemata. One may also look at “Original Discarded Schemata for Vatican II“, a forum discussion on Catholic Answers. For other legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject). 

Sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred deposit of the word of God, committed to the Church. Holding fast to this deposit the entire holy people united with their shepherds remain always steadfast in the teaching of the Apostles, in the common life, in the breaking of the bread and in prayers (see Acts 2, 42, Greek text), so that holding to, practicing and professing the heritage of the faith, it becomes on the part of the bishops and faithful a single common effort. 

But the task of authentically interpreting the word of God, whether written or handed on, has been entrusted exclusively to the living teaching office of the Church, whose authority is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ. This teaching office is not above the word of God, but serves it, teaching only what has been handed on, listening to it devoutly, guarding it scrupulously and explaining it faithfully in accord with a divine commission and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it draws from this one deposit of faith everything which it presents for belief as divinely revealed.

It is clear, therefore, that sacred tradition, Sacred Scripture and the teaching authority of the Church, in accord with God’s most wise design, are so linked and joined together that one cannot stand without the others, and that all together and each in its own way under the action of the one Holy Spirit contribute effectively to the salvation of souls.

(Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation “Dei Verbum”, Par. 10)