RECONGRESS EXPECTED TO DRAW THOUSANDS OF CATHOLICS FROM ACROSS NATIONAL AND WORLD FOR CONNECTION, LEARNING AND WORSHIP
–Media credentialing process open now through February 17–
The Los Angeles Religious Education Congress (RECongress) is an annual four-day event, from February 20-23, drawing Catholics from across the nation and around the globe sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Religious Education. The 69th RECongress is a dynamic gathering of the global church in Anaheim, Calif. with more than 140 workshops in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese and a new music and liturgy track – welcoming all to meet Jesus through connection, learning and worship.
“The theme of the 2025 Religious Education Congress ‘Called to Compassion’ is a radical invitation to create a more compassionate and loving world,” said Sr. Rosalia Meza, VDMF, senior director of the Archdiocese’s Office of Religious Education. “Pope Francis says that ‘compassion is the language of God.’ Our hope is that throughout the weekend, each participant experiences this language of God, remains open-hearted to compassion, and receives the strength to exercise this virtue so that we may form families and Church communities that restore human hearts.”
RECongress begins with an energetic daylong gathering of youth on Thursday, February 20, themed “You Are Enough! You Belong.” High school youth will experience a spirit-filled event with a special liturgy and workshops featuring a keynote address by Jessica Cox, the world’s first armless pilot and devout Catholic. She will share a message about finding self-worth and embracing the gifts that make each person unique.
The event for adult participants from February 21-23 offers more than 140 workshops and access to the opening event, liturgies, entertainment, a Sacred Space for quiet reflection and prayer, and the Exhibit Hall showcasing companies and organizations ranging from publishing houses to religious art and music.
Theologian Sister Marie-Kolbe Zamora, a member of the General Secretariat of the Synod, will offer the official keynote presentation exploring living Jesus’ compassion in the church and the world.
“Front Row with Archbishop Gomez” will focus on the pastoral initiative by the Bishops of California to celebrate the beauty and goodness of marriage and family. Archbishop José H. Gomez will lead a discussion with social scientists, policy experts and marriage advocates on practical ways to promote and sustain marriages and build strong families.
Other leading experts in catechesis, evangelization, and related disciplines include Father Greg Boyle, SJ, founder of Homeboy Industries, Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, Sister Barbara Reid, Fr. R. Tony Ricard, and Vanessa White who are among the 124 speakers featured at this year’s RECongress.
Attendees will be able to enjoy various entertainment opportunities including “Fiesta Latina” a captivating evening of sight, sound, and spirit featuring an all-female mariachi band and singers Anna Betancourt, Estella Garcia-López and Donna Peña. The event will also feature a film showcase in partnership with Loyola Marymount University’s CSJ Center for Reconciliation and Justice highlighting films, shorts and documentaries with thematic elements grounded in Catholic social teaching, social justice, ministry, spirituality and theology.
Members of the media interested in covering the RECongress 2025 are asked to submit a media credential application for access inside the Convention Center by February 14 at https://forms.gle/74JcBWb9vRfD2i2s7.
For more information, visit recongress.org. Highlights from previous years are available on facebook.com/RECongress and instagram.com/lacongress. Full list and descriptions of workshops and schedule is available by visiting: https://recongress.org/documents/2024/12/RGB%202025%20Full%20Color%20Final_new121624.pdf.
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