A high-angle view of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. A choir stands on a stage at the front of the church, facing the altar. The conductor stands with his back to the audience, directing the choir. The audience sits in wooden pews, facing the stage. Sunlight streams in through stained-glass windows along the sides of the church. Tall white columns with gold accents line the nave. The vaulted ceiling features intricate blue and gold details, as well as religious murals.
Basilica of the Sacred Hart.
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  5. Liturgical Studies

Liturgical Studies

The Liturgical Studies (LS) area centers on the study of liturgy, worship, and lived religious experience approached from historical and global perspectives.

What will I study?

Liturgical Studies engage the lived dimensions of theology, encouraging interdisciplinary projects that draw on various methodologies — including historical, theological, and social scientific — and a rich variety of media — spoken and sung, visualized and inhabited, and written and read. Students examine Christian sacramental and liturgical practice in its historical context, along with its theological interpretation.

Our world-class faculty have particular expertise in:

  • the history of liturgy and ritual practice
  • liturgical and sacramental theology
  • ritual studies and ethnography
  • visual and material culture
  • hymnography
  • ecumenical studies

A vibrant, collaborative academic community

We encourage and support research trajectories that require extensive collaboration, up to and including co-specialization with other areas in the department.

Our students have worked closely with theology faculty in Christianity & Judaism in Antiquity, History of Christianity, Moral Theology & Christian Ethics, Systemic Theology, and World Religions World Church, in addition to external departments, including anthropology, art history, sociology, the Medieval Institute, the Tantur Ecumenical Institute, the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, the McGrath Institute for Church Life, and the Sacred Music at Notre Dame program.

Upcoming Events

No upcoming events at this time.

Faculty

  1. A woman with long, light brown hair smiles at the camera. She wears a dark gray blazer over a royal blue top. The background is a plain light gray.

    Kimberly Belcher

    Associate Professor

    Director of the Master of Theological Studies Program

  2. Headshot of a man with shoulder-length, wavy blond hair and a short, white beard against a gray background, wearing a green jacket and a white shirt with a small blue floral pattern.

    Joris Geldhof

    Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology

  3. Headshot of a man with glasses and a short beard, wearing a black hooded garment with a white lining, against a dark blue background.

    Innocent Smith, O.P.

    Assistant Professor

  4. Headshot of a man wearing a light gray blazer, blue and white gingham dress shirt, and a dark blue necktie. He has light skin, short graying hair, and offers a subtle smile to the camera against a plain gray backdrop.

    Jeffrey Wickes

    Associate Professor

Graduate Students

  1. A man with dark skin and a beard, wearing a black suit and white clerical collar, smiles broadly against a blurred green outdoor background.

    Kenneth Amadi

  2. Matthew Cortese

  3. Man with beard and glasses wearing a gray suit and blue tie.

    Paul Elhallal

  4. Headshot of a man with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a black shirt with light green patterned trim down the center, smiling at the camera. A blurred indoor background is visible behind him.

    Joachim Ozonze

  5. A smiling young woman with long light brown hair and blue eyes looks forward. She wears a black top against a light gray background.

    Theresa Rice

  6. Michael Shami