So You Want to Cite Gaudium et Spes in Chicago Style? Buckle Up, Buttercup, It's Not Rocket Science (But Almost as Confusing)
Ah, Gaudium et Spes. The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. A mouthful of a title, and let's be honest, sometimes citing it feels like trying to untangle a Christmas light string after a particularly enthusiastic decorating session. But fear not, intrepid researcher! With a little humor and a dash of know-how, we can navigate the wild world of Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) citations for papal documents.
First Things First: You Don't Need a Papal Decree (Just Common Sense)
Okay, maybe a decree would be handy. But really, all you need are these basic steps:
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Who's the Boss? (A.k.a. Authorship)
Technically, there isn't one author for Gaudium et Spes. It's a product of the Second Vatican Council, so in your citation, you'll just leave the author field blank. -
Title Time!
Here's the star of the show: Gaudium et Spes. Italicize that bad boy, because it deserves the spotlight. Punctuate it with a period, just like a regular book title. -
Date Me, Maybe?
Yep, you need the date Gaudium et Spes was promulgated (fancy word for "officially released"). It happened on December 7, 1965. Mark that date on your calendar, light some celebratory candles (or at least open a bag of chips), because that's all you need for the publication date. -
Location, Location, Location... But Not Really
Since Gaudium et Spes is a papal document, it wasn't published in a specific city like a regular book. So, for the publication location, you can simply write "Papal Archive. The Holy See."
Optional Bonus Round: Web Power!
If you're feeling fancy and want to include a web address where someone can find Gaudium et Spes online, you can totally do that! Just pop the website (https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html) at the end of your citation.
Putting it All Together: The Big Reveal (Your Citation!)
Here's what your glorious, Chicago-approved citation for Gaudium et Spes should look like:
Gaudium et Spes. December 7, 1965. Papal Archive. The Holy See.
And There You Have It!
You've successfully cited Gaudium et Spes in Chicago style. Now go forth and conquer your research paper, term paper, or whatever scholarly beast you're facing. Remember, a little humor and a clear understanding can go a long way in the wild world of citations.
