Interview by Editor, with Rev. Daniel McCarthy, OSB, of the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy
Study liturgy in Europe in English in Summer two-week courses.
Professors from the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy, Sant’Anselmo, Rome, along with colleagues from other European institutions of higher education offer instruction in the history and interpretation of liturgy with particular focus on the primary sources. The two-week summer courses are accredited as post-graduate master’s level courses by KU Leuven, and held at Ealing Abbey, London.
1. How long has the Liturgy Institute London been around? Tell us about founding vision and what your main work is.
Liturgy. The President of the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy (PIL), Sant’Anselmo, Rome, Fr. Ephrem Carr, OSB, in 2009 suggested it was time to establish English language instruction in liturgy at Ealing Abbey, London. This proposal was ratified by the President’s council and accredited by KU Leuven. The first courses were held during the summer of 2011, when the faculty consisted of Fr. Ephrem, Fr. James Leachman, OSB, professor of the PIL and monk of Ealing Abbey and Fr. Daniel McCarthy, OSB, having recently graduated from the PIL, who continues in the position with other professors from the PIL and other European institutions of higher education.
Classical languages offered are Latin, Syriac, Hebrew. The Latin program uses the teaching method of Fr. Reginald Foster, OCD, papal Latinist for four popes, in his book The Mere Bones of Latin at the beginning, intermediate, advanced and reading level, both online and in person during two-week summer courses. Syriac is adapted to the level of the students and includes a project to transcribe and publish unedited Syriac texts from the British Library. We now offer Biblical Hebrew.
Publishing project comprises four areas of study:
Studies of Latin prayers
Appreciating the Collect: An irenic methodology.
Transition in the Easter Vigil: Becoming Christians.
Vatican II and the Collects of Ordinary Time.
Listen to the Word: Commentaries on selected Opening Prayers of Sundays.
Architecture with arts for liturgy:
Come Into the Light: Church interiors for the celebration of liturgy.
Word and Spirit, what Vatican II says about arranging a church.
Eucharistic Amazement: tradition, mission, evangelization … A Symphony.
Teaching the Latin language
The Mere Bones of Latin according to the thought and system of Reginald.
The Bones’ Meats Abundant from the epistles of Marcus Tullius Cicero.
The Immediate Mouth of Cicero in his letters.
Monastic studies
Born of the Spirit: Generative Communities.
Colloquia
We hold ongoing, international and ecumenical colloquia. Our current series is Generative Communities: Atchison Conversations.
2. Who is your audience? Who reads your website and uses your materials?
Our students come from other programs of higher education who wish to supplement their coursework with the study of the sources, history and interpretation of liturgy. Well informed non-academics also benefit from our courses. Diocesan officials responsible for liturgy develop a deeper understanding. Our English-speaking students come from throughout the world from doctoral programs, seminaries, pastoral care and interest in the study of liturgy and languages.
3. Any new things in the works?
The Easter Proclamation, Exultet, is the focus of a new course considering the historical development, ritual, architectural and artistic setting for this poetic hymn.
Speaking Latin with one of the premiere voices, Dr. Patrick Owens, is a new course proposed for Summer 2025.
Transcribing unedited Syriac texts from the British Library for publication provides an opportunity to learn by doing.
May God prosper your work!
This interview was conducted with Rev. Daniel McCarthy, OSB, via email.
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