The annual Roman Forum on the shores of Lake Garda in Northern Italy is one of the most important institutions in Catholic traditionalism. The chairman, Dr. John Rao, has sent us the following information about this year's symposium. We urge our readers to consider attending the symposium and the lectures. We also urge our readers to consider giving a tax-deductible donation to support the attendance at the symposium of a speaker, a member of the clergy, a seminarian, or a student. Send all applications, deposit, payments, and donations for the Summer Symposium either through the PayPal link on the Roman Forum Website or directly to: Dr. John C. Rao, The Roman Forum, 11 Carmine Street, # 2C, New York, NY 10014.
Twenty-Eighth Annual Summer Symposium
Gardone Riviera, Italy (July 6th - July 17th, 2020; 11 nights)
The Traditionalist Movement: Its Origins, Ramifications, Divisions, & Enemies
Several generations emerging from traditionalist backgrounds have come to maturity since the end of the Council and the introduction of the Novus ordo missae. At the same time, a growing number of believers from the “mainstream” Catholic world have also rediscovered the importance of the traditional liturgy. But many of those from both groups are unaware of the roots of the Traditionalist Movement and the sacrifices of its original leaders and shock troops in their heroic struggles to defend the Faith. Even some of those who are active participants in the Movement often fail to perceive its immense ramifications in the realms of theology, philosophy, political, social, and cultural life, the nature of the debates that divide its component parts, and the character and extent of the opposition it faces: all of which hinders its efficacy in recapturing the full heritage of the Mystical Body of Christ. This year’s Summer Symposium will seek to fill that gap, examining the history and current state of the Traditionalist Movement globally.
Topics to be Addressed
A. The History of the Movement
1. The Gathering Storm: Deeply Rooted Problems in the Pontificate of Pius XII
2. The Council & the Birth of the Opposition
3. The Novus ordo missae, Archbishop Lefebvre, & the Foundation of the SSPX
4. The “Mainstream” Opposition: Existing Catholic Organizations, the Press, & New Associations Worldwide
5. The Building of a Parallel Parochial & Educational System
6. The Wilderness Years
7. Ecclesia Dei, the Fraternity of St. Peter & the Institute of Christ the King
8. A Deepened Knowledge of the Traditional Liturgy
9. The Worldwide Extent of the Movement Today, Clerical and Lay
B. Conceptual Problems and Response to Practical Realities
1. Why the “Surprise” of the Orthodox in the 1960’s? (Ignorance of theological & liturgical trends, the
exaggerated understanding of the power and role of the Papacy, & clericalism)
2. The Americanist-Pluralist Temptation & the Debate over Religious Liberty & the Catholic State
3. The Appeal & the Dangers of the Traditionalist Catholic Ghetto
4. Outside Secular Pressures on the “Safe Space”: Perceived & Ignored
5. Apparitions & their Message: Waiting for the End or Active Re-Evangelization?
6. Pious Devotion & Evangelization: The Role of the Chartres Pilgrimage
7. Traditionalist Evangelization & the Pro-Life Movement: Priority to One or Simultaneous Action?
8. How to Evangelize the Mainstream Catholic World, Clerical and Lay?
9. The Jansenist & Anti-Intellectual Temptation
10.The Debate over Acceptable Intellectual & Cultural Tools: Thomism, Phenomenology, Biblical Studies,
Patristics, History, the Natural Sciences, the Humanities, & the Role of the Arts in General
11. The Battle Versus Clericalism and Laicism
12. Sedevacantism
13. The Debate Over the “Reconciliation” of the SSPX
14. Outside Friends of the Movement: Real and Perceived
15. Outside Enemies of the Movement: Real and Perceived
16. Dealing with Pope Francis
Faculty, Clergy, Musicians to Date
(More speakers to come)
Jonathan Arrington (Denver Catholic Biblical School; Lay Division)
Dr. Miguel Ayuso Torres (University of Madrid)
James Bogle, Esq., TD MA Dip Law (Barrister and author of A Heart for Europe)
Dr. Thomas Cattoi (Santa Clara University; Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley)
Clemens Cavallin (Religious Studies, Sweden)
Dr. Danilo Castellano (University of Udine, Emeritus)
Fr. Gabriel Díaz-Patri (Studia Liturgica, United Kingdom)
Bernard Dumont (Editor, Catholica, France)
Christopher A. Ferrara, J.D. (President, ACLA)
Dr. Rudolf Hilfer (University of Stuttgart)
David J. Hughes (Director of Musical Program)
Rev. John Hunwicke (Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham)
James Kalb, Esq. (Author of The Tyranny of Liberalism)
Dr. Brian McCall (College of Law, University of Oklahoma)
Michael J. Matt (Editor, The Remnant)
Sebastian Morello (Formator & Lecturer, Centre for Catholic Formation, London)
Rev. Dr. Richard Munkelt (Chaplain of the Roman Forum)
Dr. Peter Kwasniewski (Independent writer)
Dr. Thomas Pink (King’s College, London)
Dr. John C. Rao (St. John’s University)
Dr. Joseph Shaw (Senior Research Fellow at St Benet's Hall, Oxford University)
Dr. Thomas Stark (Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule, Austria)
James Vogel (Editor, The Angelus Press)
Fr. Edmund Waldstein (Philosophisch-
Liturgy and Music
The Summer Symposium’s music program involves daily mass and vespers. It is important to note that the Roman Forum is just as happy to receive applications from those whose interest is primarily in Church Music as it is from those focused in other areas of Catholic concern. Our music director, Mr. David Hughes, is eager to attract participants with vocal abilities who are willing to commit themselves to daily rehearsals to ensure a better rendition of Gregorian Chant and the polyphonic pieces to be sung.
Accommodations, Setting, and Daily Program
Accommodation and lectures are at the Locanda agli Angeli and the Hotel Villa Sofia in Gardone Sopra, on Lake Garda, in the foothills of the Alps in northern Italy. Both hotels, with swimming pools of their own, are only a ten-minute walk from the lakefront, where free, clean beaches with a number of amenities can be found. Meals are taken at the Angeli and at other trattorie several minutes walk away. Mass is in the parish church, also within walking distance. Gardone is within easy traveling distance of the opera season in Verona, Venice, Trent, Brescia, Milan, Ravenna, Pavia and Padua. The region offers opportunities not only for swimming, but for hiking, biking, boating, and scenic walks as well. Each day involves two lectures with discussion (morning and pre-dinner), and Sung Mass in the Extraordinary Rite (Tridentine Mass) at noon. Other traditional masses are offered throughout the day. There are no lectures on Sundays. Musical and theatrical entertainments take place in the garden of the Angeli and in the Piazza dei Caduti in the evenings after dinner.
Application, Cost, and Payment
First time applicants only must include name, address, telephone number, e-mail, date of birth, occupation, academic degrees attained or pending, and the names and phone numbers of two references. Application should be made as soon as possible as there are only seventy places available. The full cost of the Gardone program in a double occupancy room is $2,900. This includes tuition, room and board (very ample breakfast and dinner with cocktails, wine, beer, and other beverages at will), transportation to and from Malpensa Airport in Milan, and a boat excursion on the lake. Finances permitting, we are also hoping this year to be able to organize an excursion to Trent. Single rooms are extra, their price depending upon the room concerned. A number of full and partial scholarships are available. Preference for scholarships will be given to professors, students, clergy, and seminarians. Nevertheless, anyone who genuinely cannot afford the full tuition and believes himself to be a worthy candidate for assistance may apply. Send all applications, deposits, payments, and donations through PayPal or directly to:
The Roman Forum
c/o Dr. John C. Rao
11 Carmine Street, # 2C
New York, NY 10014
“Even if the wounds of this shattered world enmesh you, and the sea in turmoil bears you along in but one surviving ship, it would still befit you to maintain your enthusiasm for studies unimpaired. Why should lasting values tremble if transient things fall?”
(Prosper of Aquitaine)
