Deadline for submission is September 1, 2010.

Administrative Team: James Keating (Coordinator), Karen Trimble Alliaume, Craig Baron

Call for Papers:

In light of this year’s theme of “All the Saints,” we shall be looking for papers that link the work of theology to the issue of holiness and, in particular, the Church’s conviction that living members of the Body of Christ benefit from learning about and praying with those who have been found to have led lives of exemplary sanctity.  We see three potential avenues for investigation, but feel free to pave a new road if you wish.

First, there is the traditional issue of the importance of the personal sanctity of the theologian as a prerequisite for effective reflection on the revelation of the holy God. One can either look at this issue in light of an historical figure, e.g. Bonaventure, Aquinas, or by engaging modern debates.

Second, we shall be interested in proposals focused on how the writings of the saints can be resources for the theological enterprise. Possible avenues for reflection are what the saints tell us about the nature of divine self-communication, the role of the “doctors of the church”, and in which ways the saints can serve as a corrective to bad theology or bad ecclesial practice.

A third possibility will be reflection on the usefulness of studying the diversity of models of holiness and their retrospective recognition by the Church. What can theology learn from appreciating the contextual particularity of lived out holiness and the possibility that such a life might have universal relevance? Again, if you have another angle, please do not hesitate to try it out; we are open to all good ideas.

Proposals should be between 200-500 words and include the author’s name, institution, and contact information.  The deadline for submission is September 1, 2010.  Notification of acceptance for presentation will be given by September 24, 2010.  A maximum of three papers will be selected for the session.  Please articulate in the proposal any audio-visual support required.  Authors of accepted papers must submit a 100 word précis by October 6.  Recall that CTSA policy limits presenters to one speaking role on the convention program.  Please send proposals to jkeating@providence.edu.