«Tantum aurora est»

This study is dedicated to the analysis of direct listener participation in the Council assembly, and of some figures of great ecclesiastical importance who served as transmission channels for petitions which emerged from the Council. In addition, in-depth questions and issues are analyzed that can be regarded as the first attempts to reflect on issues that are important to the lives of women. On the basis of this double perspective, Vatican II appears to have served as a real dividing line for all that which concerns the Church's recognition of the presence and role of women. The existence of Catholic theologians and the possibility to discuss the relationship between women and Vatican II is due to this Council.