2025 NOLACatholic Men's Conference Recap

Despite the threat of ominous weather Saturday afternoon, nearly 600 men gathered to hear speakers on the theme “I Trust in You” and celebrate Mass with Archbishop Gregory Aymond at the annual NOLACatholic Men's Conference at St. Dominic in the Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans.

Damon Owens, executive director of the Theology of the Body Institute, told the men their identity as sons of God has called them to a unique, irreplaceable relationship with God and each other, and that should inspire them with missionary zeal.

Greg Boudreaux of The Vigil Project,  joined with the schola from St. Joseph Seminary College to lead the men in hymns during Eucharistic adoration. Boudreaux said song has the power to lift up unseen prayers from the depth of the soul. 

Greg Raymond, a local jeweler who initially rejected the idea of becoming a retreat master at Manresa House of Retreats, encouraged the men at the conference to use the power of confession, the Blessed Mother and the Eucharist to step up and change a fallen world.

His rousing testimony – "a call to action" – closed out the annual conference, which ended with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Aymond 

Office of Marriage and Family Life sponsors the annual conference.