A comprehensive guide to Humanae Vitae’s 50th anniversary festivities
Happy almost 50th birthday, Humanae Vitae! Dozens of events are lined up this year to celebrate the release of Blessed Pope Paul VI’s prophetic document on July 25, 1967, and we’re pumped to provide you with a comprehensive database of them all.
Events are listed by date, and international events are denoted with an asterisk. Please refer to each event’s respective website for more information. While we’ll do our best to keep this list up to date, it’s always best to consult the hosts for the most accurate information.
Special shout out to the original listing on the USCCB’s website that helped funnel everything into one place!
January 12-13 – The Genuine Feminine Conference
Where: Ave Maria, Florida
Who: Genuine Feminine
Details: https://www.genuinefeminine.com/2018-conference
Summary: Genuine Feminine holds a conference every year, and this year’s is dedicated specifically to Humanae Vitae. With a great lineup of speakers, topics include progress since the release of the encyclical, discussions on the feminine genius, and a talk covering the varied effects of the birth control pill. By better understanding the feminine genius, this conference hopes to inspire a more human society. Schedule of events available here.
February 10 – Celebrating Married Love and the Gift of New Life!
Where: St. Benedict Church – 701 Gomber Ave., Cambridge, Ohio 43725
Details: http://www.diosteub.org/family/hv
Summary: This event planned specially for married couples and their families seeks to celebrate the Church’s teachings on marriage and new life. The event will begin with 11:00 am Mass, followed by a potluck lunch. Come celebrate with Bishop Jeffrey Monforton and NFP instructors from the diocese. RSVP required. Email or call: (740) 373-3643.
February 24 – The Heart of a Woman
Where: Cardinal O’Hara High School – 39 O’Hara Road, Tonawanda, New York 14150
Who: Catholic Women of Buffalo
Details: View flyer or register here.
Summary: This year’s annual Buffalo Catholic Women’s Conference is dedicated in a special way to Humanae Vitae, featuring speakers like Dr. Janet Smith and Sister Tatum McWhirter. Registration is at 7:30 am with a continental breakfast to follow, and a day filled with talks and fellowship. Bishop Richard J. Malone will preside over Mass at 2:00 pm.
February 27 – Embrace Parenthood – Teaching the Way of Love
Where: **Location TBD**
Who: Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin
Details: https://madisondiocese.org/humanaevitae50
Summary: An evening designed to encourage and equip parents as they take on the role of primary educator in the domestic church. Emphasis on moral development and virtue. Part of a seminar series, this installment featuring Alice Heinzen.
March 10 – Why the Pope Was Right: A Day of Reflection
Where: Church of St. Anthony – 2405 North 1st Street, St Cloud, Minnesota 56303
Details: http://omf.stcdio.org/th_event/catholic-womens-conference-2018/
Summary: This year’s Catholic Women’s Conference is focused entirely on Blessed Pope Paul VI’s encyclical on contraception. The “faith lift” event will begin at 9:30 am, feature speakers including Dr. Janet Smith, and close with Mass with Bishop Kettler at 4:00 pm.
March 23-24 – Humane Vitae 50 Years Later: A Call to Self-Gift
Where: Benedictine College – 1020 North 2nd Street, Atchison, Kansas 66002
Who: The Gregorian Institute at Benedictine College
Details: https://www.benedictine.edu/faith-life/symposium/index
Summary: This 7th Annual Symposium on Advancing the New Evangelization is, like so many events this year, dedicated in a special way to celebrating the beauty of married love and family, as explained in Humanae Vitae. Specifically, however, this event seeks to reflect on an oft-overshadowed element of the encyclical: the call to make oneself a gift for others. Conversation regarding these topics at the symposium is intended to cultivate reflection on the past 50 years and stir participants to action in the New Evangelization. Register here.
April 4-6 – Humanae Vitae (1968-2018), Embracing God’s Vision for Marriage, Love and Live, A 50th Anniversary Symposium
Where: Edward J. Pryzbyla Center, The Catholic University of America – 620 Michigan Ave, N.E., Washington, DC 20012
Who: The Catholic University of America School of Theology and Religious Studies (with various co-sponsors)
Details: View schedule of events or register here.
Summary: With panels and keynotes from an impressive lineup of speakers, this symposium will assess contraception and marital love from all angles, including the philosophical, theological, biological, sociological and more. Daily Mass, meals, keynotes, and breakout sessions keep this event moving and packed with valuable information.
April 21 – Humanae Vitae: The Next 50 Years
Where: St. Thomas More Catholic Church, McCallin Hall – 8035 S. Quebec Street, Centennial, Colorado 80112
Details: View the flier or register here.
Summary: This one-day conference seeks to explore the past, present and — most importantly — the future of Humanae Vitae. Speakers include Denver’s Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Michel Therrien and Dr. Susan Selner-Wright.
* April 27-28 – Family Planning Today and Tomorrow – They say It’s Love – International Conference on NFP
Where: Cologne, Germany
Who: Malteser Arbeitsgruppe NFP
Details: View flier.
Summary: Malteser Arbeitzgruppe NFP offers SensiPlan, their version of the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM). The conference will revolve largely around STM, with international guests, roundtable discussions, and renown European medical professionals. Simultaneous German/English translation will be available. Register by sending the completed registration form to this email.
* April 27-May 2 – WOOMB Conference Celebrating 50 Years of Humanae Vitae
Where: San Jose, Costa Rica
Who: WOOMB – World Organization of Ovulation Method Billings
Details: http://www.woombconference2018.org/
Summary: This two-day conference consists of scientific and social discussion related to fertility, ethics, the Billings Ovulation Method, and other relevant topics. As in years past, four days of training and education will directly follow the conference, provided by the directors of WOOMB. A list of the incredible speakers is available here and a general schedule is available here. The clean, easy-to-navigate website contains lots more information, and registration is available online.
May 12 – Humanae Vitae 50 Conference
Where: Meehan Center at Saints Simon and Jude Parish – 8 Cavanaugh Court, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382
Who: Pro Life Educational Foundation, Knights of the Immaculata and Generation Life
Details: View schedule of events or register here.
Summary: This half-day event may be brief, but it’s packed with great information, powerful speakers, and plenty of fellowship. Come listen to the wisdom of Monique Ruberu, M.D., Mary Nordahl, Mary Eberstadt, Christopher West and more.
* June 14-16 – Humanae Vitae World Congress
Where: Brescia, Italy
Who: European Institute for Family Life Education
Details: **Website currently unavailable**
Summary: Hosted in the home town of Blessed Pope Paul VI and author of Humanae Vitae, this conference offers academic talks, inspiring keynotes, and promises of historic tourism opportunities. Specifics and registration pending.
July 5-7 – Families, Become What You Are! Celebrating Humanae Vitae as the Bedrock of Family Life
Where: Sharonville Convention Center – 11355 Chester Rd, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Who: Couple to Couple League, Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Details: http://cclconvention.com/
Summary: This event extends the holiday with a special day for Couple to Couple League volunteers on the 5th, then opens up to the general public for a two-day conference from the 6-7th. Exciting elements include well-loved speakers such as Janet E. Smith, Christopher West and Damon Owens; a Spanish track complete with all-Spanish workshops; daily Mass and adoration; a family-friendly concert; and — perhaps most anticipated of all — a 5-hour “Family Fun” session, set aside for families to create memories together on the town by exploring the Cincinnati’s Zoo, the Newport Aquarium, or another of many other attractions in this up-and-coming city.
July 20-21 – A Humanae Vitae Celebration
Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Who: The Marquette University College of Nursing Institute for Natural Family Planning, the Catholic Medical Association of Wisconsin
Details: ** Website unavailable**
Summary: This conference is primarily focused on scientific information for NFP professionals. Other information pending.
July 21 – Humanae Vitae at 50 Years
Where: St. Maria Goretti Catholic Parish – 5313 Flad Ave, Madison, Wisconsin 53711
Who: Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin
Details: https://madisondiocese.org/humanaevitae50
Summary: Mass with Bishop Morlino will be followed by a talk by Dr. Janet Smith. More information to follow.
July 25-28 – Faithful to God’s Design. Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae
Where: Ontario Convention Center – 2000 E Convention Center Way, Ontario, California 91764
Who: California NFP Association, American Academy of FertilityCare Professionals, Family of the Americas
Details: https://celebratehv50.com/hv50-conference/
Summary: This two-day conference is preceded by several pre-conference events: July 25 day of learning with the International Institute for Restorative Reproductive Medicine; July 25-26 with the annual meeting of American Academy of FertilityCare Professionals; and a clergy day on July 26. The actual conference opens to families on July 27 and features a number of big-name speakers, including Dr. Janet Smith, Christopher West, and Alice Heinzen. The packed schedule is available here, as well as travel and lodging information. There will be a Spanish track and emphasis on pastoral and theological information. Register here.
September 14-16 – Humanae Vitae Conference
Where: Tyler, Texas
Who: St. Philip Institute of Catechesis and Evangelization
Details: **Website unavailable**
Summary: Details to follow.
November 10 – Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference
Where: Assumption College – 500 Salisbury St., Worcester, Massachusetts 01609
Who: The women of the Diocese of Worchester – Main contact: Corinn Dahm
Details: https://worcestercatholicwomensconference.com/
Summary: This day-long women’s conference will focus specially on Humanae Vitae, featuring speakers like Dr. Janet Smith and Susie Loyd. Register here.