Ars Celebrandi at Jungmann Society Congress 2026

Formation for and by the liturgy at the biennial Jungmann Society congress at the College of the Holy Cross

This third and final report from the twelfth biennial congress of the International Jungmann Society for Jesuits and the Liturgy shares some “snapshots” of the worship celebrated daily among the three chapels at the College of the Holy Cross.

Pope Francis’s apostolic letter Desiderio desideravi (2022) proved a constant reference across the educative videos recorded during the conference. The liturgies we celebrated over six days likewise honored his promotion of the ars celebrandi (the art of celebrating). While the plenary sessions helped form us for the liturgy, our worship met Francis’s emphasis on formation by the liturgy.

We celebrated morning prayer in the intimate McCooey Chapel, situated in the original apse of the lower-level Mary Chapel. The curved wall and ceiling provided a warm acoustic for a cappella and accompanied singing.

Unfortunately, I failed to take photos of the Schola Cantorum who supported the assembly’s song throughout the week’s liturgies. We were treated to the skill and artistry of several congress participants, all trained and some professional vocalists and instrumentalists.

Liturgy of the Word, Mary Chapel – Laurence Rosania, St. Joseph’s Chapel

Liturgical music composer Laurence Rosania, Director of Music and Liturgy at Holy Cross, generously prepared and directed the music throughout the week. At daily Eucharist, the Schola led our singing his beautiful Lamb of God. At the closing liturgy, we sang the entire Missa Pedro Arrupe, by Jungmann member Christopher Willcock, SJ, another international composer.

Filmmaker Miko Cempla recorded Wednesday morning prayer and Eucharist, as well as the opening solemn vespers and closing solemn Mass. Extracts will serve as b-roll footage in the lecture and practical videos he is producing for the Global Jesuit Formation website (details in my second congress post).

The congress’s opening Solemn Vespers and closing Solemn Mass took place in the majestic St. Joseph’s Chapel. My role as presiding celebrant at the latter prevented my taking photos; however, I did take a couple shots of the chapel at night. The renown Taylor and Boody Opus 9 enhanced our ars celebrandi.