A Living Presence

Extending and Transforming the Tradition of Catholic Sacred Architecture
2010 Symposium

April 30th through May 1st
The Catholic University of America, School of Architecture and Planning

Register today – Early Registration discounts available through April 9th
Regular Registration ends April 26th, on-site Registrations welcome but please note administrative charge for on-site registrations

Design Competition registration deadline extended through April 9th

Keynote Address April 30th by Cardinal Justin Francis Rigali

Principal Speakers include:

Duncan Stroik, AIA
     Professor, Notre Dame School of Architecture
Craig Hartman, FAIA
     Design Partner, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Denis McNamara, M.Arch.H., Ph.D.
     Assistant Director, The Liturgical Institute
Leo Nestor, D.M.A.
     Director, Institute of Sacred Music
     Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, CUA
Anthony Visco
     Director and Founder, Atelier for the Sacred Arts

Invitation from the Chairman

On behalf of the Partnership for Catholic Sacred Architecture we would like to invite you to participate in a Symposium on the design of architecture for sacred space, to be held in April of 2010 on the campus of The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, at the School of Architecture. We invite all architects, theologians, philosophers, teachers, artists, liturgical consultants, clergy, and those from all walks of life with an interest in the beauty, educative capacity and inspiration of Catholic churches to assemble for this event.

The title of our Symposium is intended to convey many things, chief among them the continuing presence of the sacred, of God, in the midst of us as a people, and in the buildings we erect to worship Him. It is also meant to express an interest in Pope Benedict XVI’s continuing call for an organic growth in every aspect of the life of the church, including its architecture.

Growth and change come, as is only proper and in the nature of earthly things, but that growth flows most profoundly out of the living experience of Catholics as the people of God, and it should not involve the wholesale destruction of what came before. The human experience is also just that, a physical experience that demands a human scale, materiality that is beautiful, imagery that reminds us that we are part of a much larger family and a great unfolding story. In any age, the church building must be built to reflect that it is a place for the unveiling of a love affair between persons, God and Man.

It is our hope that out of this Symposium will emerge a stronger sense of where we have been, and why, and a great enthusiasm for the possibilities that lie before us in making Catholic churches that are worthy to take their place in the great architectural tradition of the Church. We need your participation for this to occur: your vision, passion, wisdom, learning, experience, and desire for what is good and beautiful and true are essential for this to be a success.

Please join us in April and play your part in making the world anew.

Michael Patrick, AIA
Chairman

Associate Professor George Martin, AIA
Steering Committee Member

Associate Professor Duncan Stroik, AIA
Steering Committee Member

Eric Anderson, RA
Steering Committee Member

Founding Sponsors

The early support of the following Founding Sponsors has made it possible to begin this undertaking

The Catholic University of America School of Architecture
The Clarence Walton Fund for Catholic Architecture
The University of Notre Dame School of Architecture
The Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies

Additional opportunities for sponsorship are available.

Patriarchal Basilica Level Sponsors

Patriarchal Basilica Level Sponsors are recognized here and on Sponsorship page for their great generosity benefitting beauty and the sacred in Catholic church design:

Additional opportunities for sponsorship are available.

Introduction

For Presenters and Attendees

Sponsorship

Tours

The Partnership for Catholic Sacred Architecture