The 2024 Annual Conference of the Society for Catholic Liturgy will consider the theme “Liturgy and the Human Imagination.” All human creativity in respect of the liturgy has as its goal to once again, and with ever greater fervor, point man to God.
For nearly 30 years, our Society has reasserted this truth, professing that the primary purpose of the sacred liturgy is the worship of God. To this end, we hold the conviction that, given its incarnational nature, the liturgy has a privileged role in shaping culture: fostering beauty through fitting music, art, architecture, language, and other elements integral to the sacred rites.
Our 2024 conference will explore this relationship between liturgy and the human imagination. Does the givenness of the liturgy offer an authentic openness to the fruits of the human imagination? How does divine worship relate to human creativity? In what ways does liturgical history inform a contemporary desire to fix our gaze on God? How might the arts enhance or inhibit man’s ability to participate fully in liturgical worship?
Scholars from various disciplines are invited to submit proposals for papers on this theme. There will be two categories: full papers (30 minutes) and student papers (20 minutes). All presenters will deliver a written, scholarly paper. Presenters are encouraged to submit their work for peer-review and potential publication in the Society’s periodical, Antiphon: A Journal for Liturgical Renewal.
Abstracts of 250 words, in PDF format, should be sent to the Rev. James Bradley, J.C.D. ([email protected]) by April 5, 2024.
Notes for Student Proposals:
The Society especially welcomes contributions from graduate students across the disciplines who wish to address the conference theme. Students are invited to propose papers based on: 1) the theme outlined above and 2) some relevant aspect of their present academic research. Students proposals are to be submitted together with a letter of recommendation from the student’s advisor or director. Priority will be given to student members of the Society. Membership criteria and other information may be found at our website.
