Abstract
Beside the world of professionals possibly only these who remember those times are still aware of the fact, that some liturgical reforms, commonly attributed to Vatican II, took place even before its beginning during the pontificate of Pius XII. The Pope did not prepare them alone; he had drawn on many years? work of so-called liturgical movement and on the work of liturgical commission appointed by him in 1948.
The most important considerable reform is the renewed celebration of Easter Vigil. All the reforms of Pope Pius were motivated by pastoral concern and the liturgy itself was coming nearer to its proper significance through these reforms.