New Institute for Liturgical Formation begins this Summer (2025)

By Dr. Jeff Mirus ( bio - articles - email ) | Apr 29, 2025 | In On the Good

A new Institute for Liturgical Formation is being established in Front Royal, Virginia as part of Christendom College’s Graduate School of Theology. Beginning this summer (2025), the Institute will offer twelve courses in liturgical studies over a three-year cycle, held each year during two consecutive two-week sessions during the month of July. The program emphasizes magisterial fidelity; theological richness based on Scripture, Thomistic theology and Catholic tradition; and daily worship, a common life and participation in liturgical preparation.

The Institute seeks to deepen the personal prayer life of the participants while preparing them for liturgical leadership. It provides hands-on experience with the texts and rituals of the Church, and there is a strong emphasis on beauty in all aspects of the liturgy “because liturgy reflects the divine”. Here is the course list:

• Salvation, the Human Person, and the Eucharist Liturgy
• Ritual, Symbol, and Language
• Principles of Sacramental Theology
• Liturgical History: from the Last Supper through the Liturgical Movement
• Liturgical Traditions of the Catholic East
• The Sacraments of Initiation
• Sacraments of Healing and of Service
• Sacramentals and Popular Piety
• Liturgical Time: The Calendar and Divine Office
• Music and Sacramental Aesthetics
• Liturgical Law and Norms
• Liturgical Participation and Spirituality

The goal of the Institute is to contribute to the spiritual life of the Church and the authentic liturgical renewal. It will offer all twelve courses (four per summer) with the collaboration of world-class experts in sacred liturgy, and each course will be theocentric, spiritually integrated, rites-based, and intellectually rigorous. Again, the program is designed to be completed through three four-week summer institute sessions, which will also be concurrent with the already-established Vita Consecrata Institute.

The new Institute for Liturgical Formation is aimed at diocesan liturgy directors, parish liturgy leaders, clerics and religious, and laypeople who are passionate about liturgical ministry. The cost to attend is $5,500, including tuition, registration fee, double occupancy room and three meals a day. The registration deadline is June 1st. For more information, to ask questions, or to arrange to attend, start on the Institute for Liturgical Formation’s program page.