This conference aims to provide a rigorous, interdisciplinary investigation of the tensions between tradition and reform within the Roman Rite, with particular attention to the renewed interest in the pre‑Vatican II liturgy (usus antiquior) in contemporary Catholicism. Moving beyond ideological polarizations, the conference accepts papers that deepen scholarly understanding of how liturgical forms function historically, socially, and theologically in the life of the Church.
Thursday 22nd – Friday 23rd October 2026, Leuven.
A limited number of slots are available for short paper presentations (20 minutes).Anyone wishing to submit a proposal for a short paper is requested to email a title and an abstract of 300–400 words, along with the titles of three publications on which the paper is based, to Laura Truzzu (KULeuven) at laura.truzzu@kuleuven.be by June 1st 2026 at the latest.
Notification of acceptance will be given by June 15th 2026.
Keynote Speakers
- Dr. Sven Leo Conrad FSSP (Hochschule Heiligenkreuz)
- Dr. Angela Costley (St Mary’s College Oscott)
- Dr. Stephen Cranney (The Catholic University of America)
- Dr. Uwe Michael Lang C.O. (St Mary’s University London)
- Dr. Nathaniel Marx (Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology)
- Prof. em. Luc Perrin (Université de Strasbourg)
- Dr. Clara E. Piano (University of Mississippi)
- Dr. Rowena Roppelt (Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt)
- Prof. Tracey Rowland (University of Notre Dame, Australia)
Venue
The conference will take place in Zaal Couvreur, on the second floor of Leercentrum AGORA.
Information on address, entrance and accessibility can be foundhere.
Organising Committee
- Michaël Bauwens (U Antwerpen)
- Wim François (KU Leuven)
- Joris Geldhof (University of Notre Dame)
- Laura Truzzu (KU Leuven)
- Linde Van den Eede (KU Leuven)
Scientific Committee
- Michaël Bauwens (U Antwerpen)
- Paul-Augustin Deproost (UC Louvain)
- Wim François (KU Leuven)
- Joris Geldhof (University of Notre Dame)
- Bénédicte Lemmelijn (KU Leuven)
- Linde Van den Eede (KU Leuven)
Registration
Online registration will be open from June 15 to September 1, 2026
Michaël Bauwens 