Pedagogical Renewal and Second Vatican Council: the Cases of The Salle Brothers and the Vedrunas in the Basque Country

Abstract

The Second Vatican Council influenced on the apostolate of most of the religious orders and congregations devoted to education. The need to adequate themselves to the new educational statements that were promoted through the Council Documents will bring about significant changes in their pedagogical premises. The aim of this article is to show how this process was managed by two well-known religious congregations in the Basque Country: De La Salle Brothers and the Vedruna Sisters. To analyse this case, we have used primary sources from the archives of both congregations where the process of accommodation to Vatican II is brought to light. In conclusion, it can be highlighted that an internal renovation happened according to the religious premises, and some pedagogical renewal aspects took place concerning the importance of the Basque language and culture, teacher training, and the option for the poor.