RECongress Celebrates 70 years of Uniting Catholics from Around the World

The Los Angeles Religious Education Congress (RECongress) is an annual four-day event, from February 19-22, drawing Catholics from across the nation and around the globe sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Religious Education. The 70^th RECongress is a dynamic gathering of the global church in Anaheim, Calif. with more than 147 workshops in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese – welcoming all to meet Jesus through connection, learning and worship.

“As we gather to celebrate 70 years of RECongress, we give thanks to God for the journey that has brought us here—a journey sustained by God’s unwavering presence,” said Sr. Rosalia Meza, VDMF, senior director of the Archdiocese’s Office of Religious Education. “‘Wrapped in Mercy, Hope Renewed,’ the theme of the 2026 Religious Education Congress and our 70th Anniversary, is an invitation to encounter God’s merciful love and to rekindle the hope our world so deeply longs for. In a world often weighed down by fear, division, and uncertainty, God’s mercy breaks through as a light that renews our hope and invites us to share that hope with our sisters and brothers.”

RECongress begins with an energetic daylong gathering of youth on Thursday, February 19, themed “Real Love Carries the Cross.” High school youth, and for the first time middle school students, will experience a spirit-filled event with a special liturgy and workshops reminding attendees that true love is not simply a feeling – it is a daily choice, a courageous act and often a sacrifice.

The event for adult participants from February 20-22 offers more than 147 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. The Arena Lobby will also feature a special exhibit depicting RECongress milestones over the past 70 years.

The keynote presentation will be by Alessandro DiSanto, co-founder of Hallow, the most-used Catholic app who was recognized by Forbes on its 30 under 30 list for consumer technology. He will share about his journey from Wall Street to helping build the Hallow prayer app – reminding all that true success is found not in what is achieved, but in discerning and surrendering to God’s will.

This year’s “Front Row with Archbishop Gomez” will focus on the Church’s history of venerating relics. The Archbishop will be joined by Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo, STD for a conversation moderated by Julianne Stanz that will delve into the profound significance of relics in our spiritual journey. A relic of Saint Carlo Acutis, one of the Church’s newest saints and the first millennial saint, will be available for veneration by all attending the Sacred Space.

Over the past 70 years, the Sacred Space has been a consistent and cherished tradition of RECongress offering a special and unique sanctuary where participants find a meaningful opportunity to pray, reflect, and contemplate the movement of the Spirit present throughout the event.

Other leading experts in catechesis, evangelization, and related disciplines include Father Greg Boyle, SJ, founder of Homeboy Industries, Sister Barbara Reid, and immigration advocate and attorney Linda Dakin-Grimm among many others.

Members of the media interested in covering the RECongress 2026 are asked to submit a media credential application for access inside the Convention Center by February 18 at https://forms.gle/pgzeEdKkrAredv5Y9.

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/2025/12/RGB%202026%20Color%20Final.pdf.

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