Summer Symposium

The Roman Forum 2021 Summer Symposium
Immaculate Conception Seminary
Huntington, Long Island

Delayed Twenty-Eighth Gardone Riviera Summer Symposium-in-Exile

The Traditionalist Movement: Its Origins, Ramifications, Divisions, and Enemies

28 June – 6 July 2021
(8 nights)

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 cult of the Papacy & clericalism)
2. The Americanist-Pluralist Temptation and the Debate over Religious Liberty and 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 Humanities, & the Role of the Arts in General
11. Can Clericalism or Laicism Be Avoided?
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

Jonathan Arrington (Denver Catholic Biblical School; St. John Vianney Theological Seminary Lay Division)
Christopher A. Ferrara, J.D. (President, ACLA)
David J. Hughes (Director of Musical Program)
James Kalb, Esq. (Author of The Tyranny of Liberalism)
Dr. Brian McCall (College of Law, University of Oklahoma)
Michael J. Matt (Editor, The Remnant)
Rev. Dr. Richard Munkelt (Chaplain of the Roman Forum)
Dr. Peter Kwasniewski (Independent writer)
Dr. John C. Rao (St. John’s University)
James Vogel (Editor, The Angelus Press)

Accommodation, Setting, and Daily Program

The Summer Symposium will take place at the Immaculate Conception Seminary, situated in a stunning 216-acre park on the North Shore of Long Island in Huntington. We are thirty-eight miles from New York City, with easy access via JFK and LaGuardia airports and the Long Island Railroad. Please take a look at their website to see the beauty of the chapels and the grounds. A gym, basketball and tennis courts are available for the use of guests, as well as laundry machines. Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, within walking distance, offers miles of bridle paths, jogging, hiking, biking, and nature trails over acres of woodland, meadows, rock shoreline and salt marsh. The park has beautiful gardens, excellent fishing, and scuba diving by permit.

Single and double rooms are available, all with private bathroom and shower.

Daily Schedule

9:30 AM: Lecture

11:30 AM: Mass

1:00 PM: Lunch
2:30 PM: Lecture
4:00 PM: Lecture
5:30 PM: Vespers
6:00 PM: Cocktail hour
7:00 PM: Dinner

Daily Speakers’ Schedule

Monday, June 28: NO LECTURES
Arrivals will take place throughout the day.
Individual Masses open to participants throughout the day

Tuesday, June 29: Background: the History of Traditionalism

9:30 AM: JOHN RAO: The Troubles of a “Golden Age (1848–1958)

3:30 PM: JOHN RAO: The Birth of the Blues—Part One (1958–1976)

5:00 PM: JOHN RAO: The Birth of the Blues—Part Two (1958–1976)



Wednesday, June 30: Background: the History of Traditionalism, cont.

9:30 AM: JOHN RAO: The Wilderness Years & the Long Haul (1976–1988), Part 1

3:30 PM: JOHN RAO: The Wilderness Years & the Long Haul (1976–1988), Part 2

5:00 PM: JOHN RAO: Taking Arms Against a Sea of Troubles (1988–Present)



Thursday, July 1

9:30 AM: MICHAEL MATT: Band of Brothers: The Remnant & Other Warriors of the Movement

3:30 PM: FR. RICHARD MUNKELT: Traditionalism & Philosophy: Is there a Perfect Fit?

5:00 PM: CHRISTOPHER FERRARA:  Stimuli and Threats to the Purity and Unity of the Traditionalist Battle, Part 1



Friday, July 2

9:30 AM: CHRISTOPHER FERRARA: Stimuli and Threats to the Purity and Unity of the Traditionalist Battle, Part 2

3:30 PM: PETER KWASNIEWSKI: Beyond Summorum Pontificum: Retrieving the Tridentine Heritage

5:00 PM: JAMES VOGEL: 50 Years & Counting: A Battle-Tested SSPX & Restoring All Things in Christ



Saturday, July 3

9:30 AM: PETER KWASNIEWSKI: The Normative Role of Tradition in Human Life & Catholic Life

3:30 PM: JAMES KALB: The Traditionalist Movement: Our Public Image

5:00 PM: BRIAN McCALL: The Contemporary Importance of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò

Sunday, July 4: NO LECTURES
10:00 AM: Community Mass: 10:00 A.M.
12:00 PM: Brunch (guests not staying overnight can pay for brunch)


Monday, July 5

9:30 AM: JONATHAN ARRINGTON: Traditionalist Catholic Education: Its Necessity, Its Substance, Its Problems

3:30 PM: Panel discussion The Diary of a Traditionalist Catholic Priest (priests)

5:00 PM: Panel Discussion Raising and Mobilizing a Militant Catholic Population (parents, activists)

Liturgy and Music

The Summer Symposium’s music program involves daily mass and vespers under the direction of Mr. David Hughes. We are happy to receive applications from those whose interest is primarily in Church Music. Mr. Hughes welcomes participants with vocal abilities who are willing to commit themselves to daily rehearsals.

Cost for Overnight Participants

The full cost of the program for two persons in a double occupancy room — one large bed only — is $2,900.

Singles are $1,700.

This cost includes tuition, room and board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner — with cocktails, wine, beer, and other beverages at will), and gratuities. Transportation, either from JFK, La Guardia, or the local Long Island Rail Road stations can be arranged.

Application

First time applicants only, applying to stay overnight, please send your name, address, telephone number, e-mail, date of birth, occupation, academic degrees attained or pending, and the names and phone numbers of two references to drjcrao@aol.com.

Members of the clergy: Please send your applications by email to our chaplain ramunkelt@gmail.com.

Day Passes

No application necessary. Please purchase day passes here.

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