September 9 and 10, 2024, the international conference “Mihi Patria Coelum – Principles and Practices of Pilgrimage” will be held at Campo Santo Teutonico in Rome. The conference is organized by REFORC in collaboration with Campo Santo Teutonico.
For early modern society the concept of pilgrimage was common to all. Pilgrims left, arrived, passed through. Routes, guides and overviews of spiritual rewards were known to the mass of pilgrims travelling far and nearby in Europe. Even deeper rooted was the awareness that life is a pilgrimage and that we are passing through this world on our way to heaven. This awareness was shared by catholics and protestants and is best summarized in Martin Bucer’s motto: Mihi Patria Coelum (heaven is my homeland).
The conference under this title will focus on the practice of pilgrimage as well as on the consequences that were drawn from the conviction that life on earth is finite.
The keynote lecture will be given by Anna Vind and is entitled: Walking along the Via Regia. Martin Luther’s Critical and Constructive Views of Pilgrimage. Anna Vind is Professor of Church History at the Section of Church History, University of Copenhagen and REFORC Board Member.
Short paper presentations will last 20 minutes and will be followed by 10 minutes of discussion.
Publication of the proceedings of the conference is intended.
Accepted applicants will receive a grant for travel and lodging of up to €400.
Short paper submission is closed as per March 1, 2024.
For more information, contact Herman J. Selderhuis.
