The Society for Catholic Liturgy is a scholarly and professional association founded on the following principles which it seeks to advance in its various activities and deliberations:

1. belief that the primary purpose of the sacred liturgy is to worship God, who continues the work of redemption and sanctification through the sacred mysteries of Christ handed down to us in and through the Catholic Church;
2. respect for Catholic liturgy in all approved rites and usages from the apostolic period to the present day;
3. desire to support the faithful celebration of the sacred liturgy according to the Roman Rite and to promote a better understanding of its origin, development, and current state;
4. conviction that the sacred liturgy’s incarnational nature and central role in shaping Catholic culture require fostering the beauty and fittingness of music, art, architecture, language and other elements integral to the spiritual profundity and ceremonial dignity of the rites;
5. determination to foster interdisciplinary liturgical study and practice according to rigorous scholarly and professional standards;
6. commitment to the virtues of prudence, patience, and charity.

Membership Criteria

1. Member of the Catholic Church (Roman or Eastern Rite);
2. Fundamental sympathy with the principles enunciated in the Society’s Statement of Principles;
3. Ability to participate in the activities of the SCL in a prudent, charitable, and constructive manner;
4. Ability to bring a substantive contribution to the work of the SCL;
5. Has a terminal degree in a field pertaining to the sacred liturgy or has significant expertise and demonstrates a graduate level ability to engage in scholarly research and debate in matters pertaining to the sacred liturgy.

Associate Members

Same criteria as for Members, but without the level of expertise required in number five (5).

Student Members

Students adhere to Full Member criteria numbers 1-3, but not numbers (4) or (5). This level of membership is open to someone with an interest in the sacred liturgy and is pursuing a seminary, college or university degree. Applicant must provide proof of current student status.

Bishop Members

Bishops who seek membership will be admitted as honorary members of the Society.

Membership Benefits

Members of the Society receive Antiphon: A Journal for Liturgical Renewal, are invited to all sessions of the annual conferences, and determine the Board of Directors by their vote. Associate members also receive Antiphon and may attend all open sessions of the annual conference.