American College Alumni Association Reunion

Final ACAA Reunion

13-17 August 2025

Leuven, Belgium

The American College Graduate Seminary of Louvain:

A Celebration of its Impact on the Church and our Personal Legacies

The final alumni reunion in Leuven 2025, coincides with

the 600th Anniversary of the Catholic University of Louvain

The final alumni reunion in Leuven 2025, coincides with

the 600th Anniversary of the Catholic University of Louvain

Travel alert: At the end of March transportation strikes impacted travel throughout Belgium.

The Belgian train drivers union plans additional strikes throughout the summer. Pay attention to transportation news ahead of planned travel to the reunion.

FINAL REUNION SCHEDULE

The American College Alumni Association Catholic University of Louvain

Wednesday evening, August 13, ending after breakfast, Sunday morning, August 17, 2025

Location:  The American College, 100 Naamsestraat, Leuven, Belgium

Wednesday, August 13th

3 to 4:45 pm   Registration Sign-In, The American College in the Aulnezaal (former dining room)

5 pm                Welcome and Evening Prayer – The AC Chapel

5:30 pm           Meal Prayer and Buffet Dinner – Aulnezaal

6:30 pm           Overview of the Week and Announcements

7 pm                Beer Tasting -- Aulnezaal

8 pm                Free Time

Thursday, August 14th: Breakfast at respective lodging

8:30 am            Mass at Saint Damien’s Crypt - Saint Jospeh Church, lower level, next to Hotel Shepherd, Schappenstraat 1, Daminen Plein

9:45am Welcome by American College Manager, Geesje van Lieshout at College

10:00 am          “600th Anniversary of KU Leuven” by Dr. Johan De Tavenier

11:30 am         Lunch in the Aulnezaal    

12:15 pm         Bus departs for Bruges to visit Slabbinks, Bruges Museum, and Dinner in the city

10:00 pm         Arrive back at The American College in Leuven

Friday, August 15th: Breakfast at respective lodgings

9:00 am           Holy Day Mass/Feast of the Assumption at Saint Peter Church, Leuven Centre

9:45-10:45 am Guided Tour of renovated Saint Peter Church

11:15 am         Tour of the renovated American College

12:00 pm         Lunch – Aulnezaal

1:00 pm “Vatican I: Faith and Reason” by Professor Leo Kenis – Salon

2:30 pm        60th Anniversary of Louvain Studies, Presentation by Ed Nightingale - Salon

3:00 pm Free Time

5:30 pm           Evening Prayer reflecting on the Gift and Blessings of The American College in our own lives, to the people in Belgium, and to the American and worldwide Church. - The American College Chapel, led by Tuck Grinnell

6:30 pm Dinner on your own

Saturday, August 16th: Breakfast at respective lodgings

9 am                 Morning Prayer in honor of Saint Damien of Moloka’i

9:15 am            “The Damien Project & Community – the New Legacy of The American College” (Slide Show and Presentation) - Salon

10:15 am         Coffee Break

10:30 am          “The state of the Belgian Church Today” – Auxiliary Bishop Koen Vanhoutte - Salon

12 noon           Lunch – Aulnezaal

1 – 2:30 pm    *American College of Louvain Alumni Association Business Meeting – Salon

2:30 pm           Coffee Break

5:30 pm            Closing Reunion Eucharist –The American College Chapel, remembering deceased Alumni and Benefactors

6:45 pm             Final Reunion Banquet - Aulnezaal

                          Toasts to the Holy Father, the King of Belgium, to the United States

                          Singing of “O Sodales”

Sunday, August 17th: Breakfast at respective lodgings

Final ACAA Reunion ends.

(Optional Trip to Antwerp on Sunday, August 17yh from approximately 9:00am to 6:00pm, arranged by John Griesbach, and his sister who lives in Antwerp. Separate/Additional Cost $100 includes transportation, museum fees, and some meals.)

Separate additional cost: Arrange and Pay for extra room night at The American College or hotel. Contact Fr. Bob Flannery, the reunion coordinator to inquire about the optional trip to Antwerp.

Travel Suggestion: If planning to go to Paris, get your tickets to the Notre Dame Cathedral at least 3-4 days in Advance - advanced purchase is required.