Abstract
The modern process of secularization is analysed in Charleroi, a medium-size city (200,000 inhabitants) in Belgium. Despite its modern character, a number of popular Christian rites are still practised there. They are performed by priests representing the institutional Church, but in response to those who do not habitually attend the city's churches. The ritual performed by the “professionals” continues even as the institution wanes. These practised rites of a contemporary urban religion bear witness to the appropriation of institutional symbols and rituals. Lack of cognitive understanding of Catholicism allows the reconstruction of Catholic components into a popular belief. The aim of this article is to analyse the process of appropriation. The observational research is based on anthropological fieldwork and in-depth interviews not only with church-goers but also with the priests of the city as a whole.