Christendom College Lectures

Chris Carstens unpacks the "ars celebrandi" called for by Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis. A proper ars celebrandi 1) sees God as the proper subject of the liturgical "masterpiece," 2) encourages liturgical ministers to depict this great, divine beauty through docility to the Holy Spirit's inspiration and the Church's rites, and 3) forms the baptized to see God's glory revealed in the liturgical rite through a mystagogical catechesis. In short, when a liturgy centers on God, celebrates the rite in such a way that God's glory appears (as on Mt. Tabor), and trains the people to encounter Christ in the rite--true beauty appears in our midst and in our world. The Institute for Liturgical Formation will focus on these three aspects: 1) theology of the liturgy (the Trinity's presence and action in the liturgy), 2) the ritual celebration of the liturgy (how the Church's ministers understand and execute the liturgy), and 3) the participation and spirituality of the liturgy (how God's people engage and pray the liturgy).

What is Christendom College Lectures?

At Christendom College, we believe education is more than gaining knowledge—it’s about pursuing true wisdom. As a Catholic liberal arts college, our mission is to guide students on the path to Christian wisdom, grounded in the love and contemplation of both natural and divinely revealed truth. This journey doesn’t happen in the classroom alone. Through vibrant campus life, community events, and spiritual opportunities, students are encouraged to cultivate the moral virtues and habits of Christian living. These virtues prepare them to properly order the material and spiritual goods of life, equipping them for a higher purpose. To enrich this formation, the college regularly hosts speakers who inspire and challenge our students to grow in mind, heart, and soul. We invite you to be part of this journey by joining us for these thought-provoking lectures. These talks provide a chance to engage with the ideas shaping our students and to explore how faith and reason together lead to truth. Come listen, learn, and grow with us.