The Saint Damien Community at the American College, Leuven

31/05/2026

Our hearty congratulations to community member Aashu Alexander Mattackal, who has been awarded the title of Doctor of Theology following the successful defence of his thesis, “Climbing the Peak of Perfection - A historical, literary and theological analysis of moral and spiritual perfection in the homilies of Origen," at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies here in Leuven. Aashu is a long-time member of the community and is a true privilege to mark this momentous occasion with him!

28/05/2026

One of our community members, Jeremy Cappello Lee, was a guest at the official presentation & promulgation of Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, Pope Leo XIII's inaugural encyclical. Jeremy was there as a representative of AI Humanitas, a new Leuven-based initiative which seeks to bridge the fragmented discourses surrounding AI by bringing together perspectives from philosophy, engineering, theology, economics, politics, and industry. Community members Tong Wu and Yossarian Raca are co-founders of this initiative, which held its first conference in early May.

26/05/2026

Some photos from the testimony which Tong gave in Brussels. A particular highlight was Tong's discussion of the central role which his time in an Anglican boys' choir played in opening his heart to the Christian faith. A fascinating talk enjoyed by all present.

26/05/2026

Due to the exam period and approaching conclusion of the academic year, public Masses will suspended at the American College after this week. Our last public Mass will be for Trinity Sunday (31/05). Masses will resume in September, at the beginning of the new academic year. We thank everyone who has worshipped with us this past year and we look forward to welcoming you back in the fall!

23/05/2026

Aashu is a longtime member of the Saint Damien Community. Please keep him in your prayers as he prepares for his upcoming doctoral defense!

Climbing the Peak of Perfection: A Historical, Literary and Theological Analysis of Moral and Spiritual Perfection in the Homilies of Origen

16/05/2026

The presentations from last week's Saint Damien Conference are gradually being uploaded to our Youtube channel. Click the link below to watch a wonderful keynote on the art of "measuring" the sources of Theology by Stephan van Erp, Professor of Fundamental Theology at the KU Leuven.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvkhqLs9Gbc

16/05/2026

One of our community members, Tong Wu, is offering a testimony of his conversion at an upcoming event in Brussels. Tong was received into the Catholic Church here in Leuven on the Easter of 2025. Please do attend! 🙂

Register here: https://fb.me/2428rYl2RN45byH

14/05/2026

A blessed Ascension to all! Since this feast is a public holiday in Belgium, its observance is not moved to Sunday here.

11/05/2026

On Friday and Saturday, we held our ninth annual Saint Damien Conference, with the theme "Measure and Mystery." The event was a resounding success! We extend our thanks to all those who made this event possible and all attendeers.

Special thanks to our keynote speakers Stephan van Erp, Inigo Bocken, and William Desmond for their insightful presentations and presence.

11/05/2026

We wish you all a very blessed feast of our patron, Saint Damien of Molokai. In his honor, community members visited his tomb in Leuven today for a period of prayer and reflection.

Father of mercy, who gave us in Saint Damien a shining witness of love for the poorest and most abandoned, grant that, by his intercession, as faithful witnesses of the heart of your Son Jesus, we too may be servants of the most needy and rejected. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. - Collect for the Feast of Saint Damien