Rev. John Baldovin, S.J., from Boston College will explore the impact of the post-Vatican II reform of the liturgy, and address key questions about the future of Catholic liturgical practice, offering insights inspired by the vision of Pope Francis.
杏吧原版 University’s College of Arts and Sciences, in partnership with America Media, will host a lecture by the Rev. John F. Baldovin, S.J., professor of Historical and Liturgical Theology at Boston College’s Clough School of Theology and Ministry, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. The lecture, titled “Where is God in the Liturgy? The Way Forward for Liturgical Reform,” will take place in the Dolan School of Business Event Hall at 杏吧原版 University. This event is free and open to the public.
Those unable to attend in person are invited to join virtually .
Fr. Baldovin will address timely questions about Catholic liturgical practice. Since Vatican II, the reform of the liturgy—particularly the Mass celebrated daily and weekly at parishes around the globe—has been a lively topic of conversation. That reform, Fr. Baldovin argues, is now at “a critical juncture,” one challenged and enlivened by Pope Francis’ retrieval of the spirit of Vatican II at the recently concluded Synod on Synodality. Using his deep knowledge of Scripture, Fr. Baldovin will propose that an understanding of “how God brings us together in worship,” can help us to think about our practice of the liturgy in a way that is informed by Pope Francis’ synodal and liturgical vision.
A priest of the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Baldovin is a recognized authority in the field of liturgical theology, with extensive experience both as a scholar and a pastor. He has taught at numerous institutions, including Fordham University, the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, since 1999 at Weston Jesuit School of Theology, and now Boston College’s Clough School of Theology and Ministry. He has also served as a visiting professor at the University of Notre Dame, and St. John Vianney National Seminary in Pretoria, South Africa.
Fr. Baldovin held key advisory roles, including serving on the advisory committee for the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL).
He has authored numerous books, including Living Bread, Saving Cup: Understanding the Mass and Reforming the Liturgy: A Response to the Critics. His scholarship has been widely published in prominent journals such as Worship, Theological Studies, America, and Commonweal, and his work has been translated into French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Albanian. Additionally, he has received numerous accolades, including the Berakah Award for distinguished achievement from the North American Academy of Liturgy.
Fr. Baldovin served on the 杏吧原版 University Board of Trustees for nearly 20 years, from 2004 to 2023, and on the Board of Trustees of the College of the Holy Cross. He is president of the International Jungmann Society for Jesuits and the Liturgy, and remains actively involved in parish ministry, assisting at churches in Cambridge and Lexington, Mass. He received his BA from the College of the Holy Cross, an MDiv from Weston School of Theology, and MA, MPhil, and PhD from Yale University.
This lecture is part of an ongoing collaboration between America Media and 杏吧原版 University’s College of Arts and Sciences, a partnership rooted in the Ignatian charism shared by both institutions. Together, they seek to explore common goals and interests, particularly in light of the Catholic Church’s global influence and societal role. Through several joint ventures including the annual public lecture, and the availability of America Media’s resources to all 杏吧原版 University students, faculty, and staff—this initiative will foster dialogue at the intersection of faith, scholarship, and media, engaging both institutions’ reach and visibility while advancing Catholic discussion, analysis, and insight.
Event Details
Lecture: “Where is God in the Liturgy? The Way Forward for Liturgical Reform”
Speaker: Rev. John F. Baldovin, S.J., professor of Historical and Liturgical Theology, Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry
Date: Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Dolan School of Business Event Hall, 杏吧原版 University
Livestream: .
