MAYNOOTH, IRELAND (2009)

The Second International Symposium on Pope John Paul II’s Theology of The Body “Man and Woman He Created Them” St. Patrick’s College Maynooth, Ireland 11th -14th June, 2009

The Symposium presented the Theology of the Body as a unified whole, with each speaker covering a set of audiences, and approaching this broad topic from the following perspectives: spiritual, theological, philosophical, anthropological, ethical, political, scientific, and psychological.

The Second International Theology of the Body Symposium was held on the weekend of the Feast of Corpus Christi, in anticipation of the thirtieth anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Ireland. 2009 also marked thirty years since the first Papal Audience on the Theology of The Body.

Theme

“Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.” Luke 17:33.

 Purpose

This Symposium on the Theology of the Body aimed at exploring ever deeper the goodness, truth and beauty of the Divine plan for human love. Our goal was that this event be an opportunity for a deepening of personal faith and self-understanding that would inspire greater participation in the New Evangelisation. Further, the Symposium facilitated the bringing together of people from many countries and cultures to discuss the Theology of the Body, and the encounter fostered and developed prosperous networks to assist participants with their own evangelisation initiatives. For this undertaking we asked for the intercession of Saints Joseph and Patrick, and we offered the Symposium as a prayer of thanksgiving for the life of Pope John Paul II. In all things we entrust ourselves to Our Lady the Immaculate Conception, “Totus Tuus”.

During the Conference Holy Mass was celebrated each day, and there was Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the weekend. On the Saturday evening there was be a theatrical performance of The Jeweller’s Shop, a play written by Karol Wojtyła.