“The concept of the civil sphere explores everyday identity and interaction. How we present ourselves and interact in public spaces, whether it's at school, on the street, or at community gatherings, shapes our civil sphere. It's about belonging and being part of something bigger than yourself.”

These aren’t just casual habits or manners. They’re the quiet, often invisible rituals that help hold social life together, creating a sense of order, respect, and what Goffman saw as a kind of secular sacredness in our daily lives.

These rituals remind us that the sacred persists, connecting us through shared meaning and presence.
If you missed it, watch the full talk here, on the IRCSF youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZITB...

This graph includes some key figures from Canada on the matter, from the Pew report.

Our Director Sarah Wilkins-Laflamme is attending the NSRN and EUREL conferences this week in Bratislava, Slovakia, which are focused on these dynamics, and much more.