Eventization of faith: reflecting on the evolving use of church buildings and cultural heritage objects in religious communities

This paper reflects on some aspects of the concept of eventization of faith to identify learning that can be applied to benefit religious communities as they explore the reuse, valorisation and re-functionalisation of church and religious community buildings and cultural heritage objects through the medium of events. Research on the eventization of faith indicates a complex concept that impacts on a wide range of church-related activities, supporting ongoing revivification of religious cultural heritage spaces. Relevant aspects of the application of this concept that can address some of the practical and theological issues facing religious houses and the wider Catholic church, include: the contribution of events to strategic marketing, to promote membership and faith, considering the explicit nature of evangelism in the Catholic context, through Pfadenhauer’s original hypothesis; surrounding a sacred object or space with events and pilgrimages to engage with a range of different groups, building events around communal activities based on objects or places; developing programmes of religious-based and thematic events for religious communities, their congregations and surrounding communities. Taking on board theological perspectives, this paper suggests a model that facilitates the transmission of Catholic religious and spiritual heritage, culminating in the development of events in the post COVID-19 world.