The International Relations Committee (IRC) of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality (SSCS) and SpIRE held a symposium in Dublin from Tuesday, 9 June (morning) to Thursday, 11 June 2026 (afternoon). The symposium took place in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute, Dublin, Ireland and the title for the colloquium/symposium was Engaging the Body in Narratives of the Soul’s Unfolding.
The organising committee was Dr Michael O’Sullivan, SJ, SpIRE and South East Tchnological University (SETU), lead organiser, Dr Andre Brouillette, SJ, Boston College, Chair of the IRC, and Dr Bernadette Flanagan, PBVM, SpIRE and SpirSoP (Spirituality in Society and the Professions Research Group, SETU). Dr Flanagan and Dr O’Sullivan are the only two Irish spirituality scholars ever elected by their peers around the world as President of SSCS. in its so far 34-year history.
The symposium was addressing the explosion of research into embodied aspects of spirituality – dance as a spiritual practice, the healing of trauma in the body through pastoral and spiritual care practice, ancient and contemporary practices of pilgrimage, embodied eco-conversion through gardening, the journey to martyrdom, spiritual injury, etc. It asked what are the challenges for, and strengths of Christian spirituality in this turn to the body in narratives of the soul’s unfolding? A springboard presentation opened the symposium so as to set the scene for the ensuing dialogue. This presentation was delivered by Robert McChesney, SJ. He is the author of The Soul Also Keeps the Score: https://litpress.org/Products/8975/The-Soul-Also-Keeps-the-Score
Spirituality scholars travelled to Dublin from universities and higher education institutions across Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America. Representatives came from cities including Johannesburg, Windhoe (Namibia), Hong Kong, Seoul, Sydney, Melbourne, Munich, Cologne, Madrid, Rome, Nijmegen, Akureyri (Iceland), Oxford, Salisbury, Cork, Waterford, Dublin, New York, Boston, South Bend, Utah, Texas, Worcester, Washington, San Diego and San Antonio.
The conference received enthusiastic feedback from participants. One attendee from Africa described the event as “a rich and inspiring experience” and praised the organisers for creating “a welcoming space where everyone felt included and valued.”
A participant from the United States noted that “the papers and conversations were so rich and stimulating” and expressed her appreciation for the hospitality that made the gathering both fruitful and enjoyable.
Reflecting the international reach of both SpIRE and SSCS, the symposium provided a significant forum for dialogue among scholars engaged in contemporary research on spirituality, embodiment, and human flourishing, while strengthening relationships and fostering future collaboration across continents.