Describe why your institution/program was founded. Has your mission evolved overtime?
The Society for Catholic Liturgy will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025. It was founded in 1995 to promote liturgical scholarship and the practical renewal of the celebration of the liturgy, particularly in the United States. Through its annual conference and peer-reviewed journal Antiphon, the Society focuses on supporting and encouraging academics in a range of disciplines that touch on the liturgy – particularly early career scholars – who in turn support our other members, coming largely from professional and pastoral backgrounds, with their research output and publication.
Who is your main “audience”? Whom do you hope to include in the future?
The Society has Full Members who are scholars engaged in research-based activities, Associate Members who are more broadly practitioners and Church professionals, and Student Members who are often in graduate study. Each of these groups benefits, and benefits from, the other, and we are keen to continue to strengthen and promote each. We are working in particular to develop our academic community of Full Members, and to promote the work of our doctoral students.
What initiatives are you focused on at present? If people want to become involved/attend, how would they do so? Whom should they contact?
The Society for Catholic Liturgy has consistently emphasized both the scholarly study of the liturgy, and its practical renewal. This positions us well to be a place for rich conversations about liturgical reform. Additionally, we are explicitly encouraging of an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach, inviting and welcoming contributions from well beyond the classical field of liturgical studies.
Anything else you would like readers to know about your work or trending issues?
Our Society is growing. In the past five years we have increased the number of our membership in all three categories, invested in a new membership management system, developed the online presence of our journal, and started to plan out our annual conferences several years in advance. It’s an exciting time to be a member of the Society for Catholic Liturgy!
May God prosper your work!
This interview was conducted by email.
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