Why Attend a Catholic Men's Conference

Many dioceses in our country host day-long Catholic Men’s Conferences to promote spirituality and faith in Catholic men.  You may have seen such conferences advertised in your diocese and you may have even attended one or more.  If you have not attended a Catholic Men’s Conference, here are several reasons why you should attend one. 

 
A Catholic Men’s Conference is a day long experience of faith.  Typically they feature inspiring guest speakers, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and opportunities for Confession.   Their purpose is to promote spirituality and faith development amongst men.  Some conferences even encourage men to bring their teen-age sons and grandsons as well. 

 
Over the last ten years, I have attended eight of these conferences held in three different dioceses (Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and the Dioceses of Camden NJ and Trenton NJ).  I have heard some amazing Catholics share their faith stories including NFL Hall of Fame player Joe Klecko, Rwanda genocide survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza, Navy Chaplain and author CAPT Daniel Mode, and Catholic apologist Patrick Madrid.  I have received God’s forgiveness in Confession, received the Holy Eucharist during Mass and worshipped Our Lord and Savior in Eucharistic Adoration.  Each of these conferences has provided me with incalculable spiritual gifts from God.  

 
So to return to the original question, here are several reasons why men should attend a Catholic Men’s Conference (in no particular order of importance). 

First, Catholic Men’s Conferences provide a much-needed spiritual re-charge.  Experiencing communal prayer, the Holy Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration…they all infuse the attendee with a spiritual re-charge.  To be brutally honest, life sucks the spiritual life out of us all.  Family responsibilities, the stresses of jobs, the economy, our culture, just living day to day, all exact a cumulative toll upon us.  They wear us down physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  It is very important to take some time to focus on our spiritual life and well-being.  A retreat weekend can serve the same purpose but very often, we cannot devote an entire weekend for spiritual growth and reflection.  In just a few short hours, a Catholic Men’s Conference can provide a much needed spiritual re-charge and help us to connect or re-connect with God in a powerful way.  We need to connect with God more than just once a week in Mass.  

Second, Catholic Men’s Conferences inspire us to grow and learn as a Catholic man.  They help us to discover how we can be a better Catholic husband, father, son, man.  Catholic speakers from all walks of life offer their faith stories and faith experiences to show us ways that we can live better as Catholics and serve God, the Church and each other.

 
Third, Catholic Men’s Conferences provide faith connections to other Catholic men and to Catholic resources that can help us grow as Catholic men.  Most conferences have exhibitor spaces where conference attendees to talk with Catholic service organizations to either obtain services or volunteer to help these organizations. 

Fourth, participation in a Catholic Men’s Conferences is a powerful demonstration of your commitment to God.  We all lead very busy lives.  Taking those few hours to attend a conference shows God that we are serious about our faith and serious about serving Him.  God will not fail to return blessings for doing so.

 
If you are open to the purpose and spirit of Catholic Men’s Conferences, the benefits will extend beyond yourself and beyond this life.  Catholic Men’s Conferences are like a much-needed rest stop on the Interstate highway of life.  Without that spiritual rest stop, you run the risk of breaking down at a most inopportune time in your life.

For more information, check out these websites... 

Man Up South Jersey    https://manupsouthjersey.com  

Man Up Philly  https://manupphilly.com 

Catholic Men for Jesus Christ  https://www.catholicmenforjesuschrist.org  

Triumph Mens Conference http://triumphconference.com  

Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference https://ctcatholicmen.org  

Diocese of Arlington VA Catholic Men’s Conference https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/men/  

Catholic Men’s Conference of Southern Missouri https://catholicconference.men/events/2024/#why-should-you-attend  

Some dioceses also offer Catholic Women’s Conferences too.  I would encourage Catholic women to attend a conference for the same reasons that I encourage Catholic men to do so.