National Catholic Men’s Conference Day: Date, Background, Facts about Catholicism

The goal of the conferences is to inspire Catholic men to practise their faith more authentically and reach their full potential in Christ.

National Catholic Men's Conference Day: Date, Background, Facts

Annually, National Catholic Men’s Conference Day is observed on October 17. It was established to honour the Catholic Men’s Conference movement. It aims to inspire Catholic men and raise awareness of the year’s forthcoming themes. The goal of the conferences is to inspire Catholic men to practise their faith more authentically and reach their full potential in Christ. Catholic Men’s Conferences are faith-enhancing, life-changing events that feature the finest men’s speakers and, according to the conference’s organisers, “draw out the best” in the men who attend.

The Background of Catholic Men’s National Conference Day

National Catholic Men’s Conference Day was established by ‘The Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference. It was created to raise awareness of this conference movement and strengthen Catholic practises in the United States. It is celebrated on October 17, approximately forty days before Christmas.

Typically, Catholic Men’s Conferences are managed by volunteers. The first conference, “The Connecticut Men’s Conference,” was conducted on November 15, 2008. Connecticut hosted its first Catholic Men’s Conference. The Archbishop of Hartford and the Bishops of Bridgeport and Norwich support it. The initial conference’s theme was “Take Your Faith to the Next Level.” Danny Abramowicz, Bishop William Lori, Archbishop Henry Mansell (primary mass celebrant and homilist), Father Larry Richards, Father Charles Sikorski, and Sean Wolfington spoke at the first Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference. The first conference had only 300 attendees, but this number has increased over time. The ultimate aim is to have 1,000 attendees at the conference.

There are approximately 43 such events in the United States and Canada. The days include keynote speakers, confession throughout the day, High Mass at the beginning or conclusion of the day, an area for daylong adoration, lunch, and exhibitors. In addition to encouraging attendance at conferences across the country, the organisers offer assistance to those who wish to organise and plan their own events.