Pope Leo XIV sent greetings to the 70th Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, California. The Pope emphasized that deepening one's relationship with Jesus makes religious education teachers authentic and effective. The annual four-day Catholic gathering, themed 'Wrapped in Mercy, Hope Renewed,' is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Office of Religious Education. The Congress attracts thousands of participants from the U.S. and internationally for workshops, liturgies, and keynote talks.
15 days ago
The 70th Los Angeles Religious Education Congress is occurring in Anaheim, California, from February 19–22, 2026.1 2 3
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Office of Religious Education, it draws tens of thousands of participants including educators, catechists, clergy, youth, and lay Catholics from across the U.S. and beyond.2 3
The event features workshops, liturgies, keynote talks, exhibits, and spiritual celebrations, starting with Youth Day on February 19.1 2 3
Pope Leo XIV sent greetings via Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Archbishop José H. Gómez, hailing the congress as an opportunity for "true spiritual renewal."1 2 3
The message emphasizes that deepening one's relationship with Jesus, "who is the Truth," and living as faithful, joyful disciples makes educators authentic in transmitting the Gospel.1 2 3
It cites the Pope's apostolic letter Drawing New Maps of Hope to underscore that "the authentic teacher arouses the desire for truth."2 3
The Pope encourages religious education teachers to foster encounters with the Lord, building a "lasting and life-giving culture."1 2 3
This authenticity stems from personal discipleship, enabling effective catechesis.1
Participants, especially youth, are urged to open their hearts to God's love, which led Jesus to the Cross and remains in the Eucharist.1 2 3
The Pope prays the congress helps them discover Jesus' Eucharistic presence as "an unfailing source of comfort and strength" in all circumstances.1 2 3
The adult theme is "Wrapped in Mercy, Hope Renewed," highlighting mercy as tender and transformative amid fear and division.1 2 3
Youth Day's theme is "Real Love Carries the Cross."2 3
Sister Rosalia Meza, director of the Archdiocese’s Office of Religious Education, described mercy as renewing hope and inviting sharing with others.2 3
Pope Leo XIV entrusts participants to Mary, Our Lady of the Angels, and imparts his Apostolic Blessing.1
Examine Catholic doctrine on religious education’s role in spiritual renewal
Catholic doctrine underscores religious education—chiefly catechesis—as a vital instrument for spiritual renewal, serving as the "soul" of evangelization that renews individuals, the Church, and her mission in the world. Rooted in the Church Fathers, Vatican II, the Catechism, and recent papal teachings, it fosters conversion of heart, deeper encounter with Christ, and resistance to secularism, integrating faith with life for holistic human flourishing.
The Church has long viewed periods of renewal as prime opportunities for intensified catechesis, where education transmits the faith's vitality. As the Catechism notes, "Periods of renewal in the Church are also intense moments of catechesis," exemplified by the Fathers like St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. John Chrysostom, St. Ambrose, and St. Augustine, whose catechetical works model handing on the faith amid ecclesial revitalization. This tradition persists, as Pope Leo XIV highlights in reflecting on Gravissimum educationis's 60th anniversary: the Gospel generates "educational constellations" that renew themselves, preserving unity between faith and reason while responding to eras' needs—from desert Fathers' parables to monastic preservation of culture and universities' creativity. Christian education thus acts as a "lifeline" in storms, fostering spiritual renewal by awakening desire for truth and educating freedom.
Catechesis directly cultivates spiritual renewal by drawing souls into intimate friendship with God. It introduces Jesus Christ as Savior, strengthening life in the Spirit and countering secularism's dangers. Pope John Paul II urged bishops to promote catechesis that proclaims Christ's mystery, relying on formed catechists to offer vivid knowledge, lest the baptized succumb to moral relativism or indifference. This renewal demands a "permanent renewal of the Church in greater fidelity to her vocation," achieved through conversion of heart, holier Gospel living, common prayer ("spiritual ecumenism"), fraternal knowledge, formation, dialogue, and collaboration—elements where catechesis is foundational.
For children and adults alike, catechesis immerses in Christ via living witness, not mere lessons: "Catechesis must help people to 'meet' Jesus Christ, to converse with him and to immerse themselves in him," preventing soulless traditionalism vulnerable to secular attacks. It adapts to diverse situations, using the Catechism as reference while embracing creativity per the General Directory for Catechesis, extending to ongoing formation for maturity. Specialized catechesis for the handicapped reveals God's beauty to the "poor and very young," enriching communities. Parents, as primary educators, partner with priests and laity, ensuring programs inspired by the Creed develop the Christian mystery through biblical figures and saints as models.
Pope Leo XIV frames religious education as "the very fabric of evangelization," a "concrete way in which the Gospel becomes an educational gesture." It renews by forming the whole person—spiritual, intellectual, emotional—against reduction to "skills profiles" or economic tools. Catholic schools and universities, as "living environments," permeate disciplines with Christian vision, where educators' witness equals lessons. Formation emphasizes virtues, discernment, and contemplation of Creation's vestigia Dei, echoing St. Bonaventure. Families remain the "first school," with schools in subsidiarity supporting parental duty. This counters fragmentation, promising time, justice, and truth in community: "Every man is capable of truth, yet the journey is much more bearable when one goes forward with the help of another."
Doctrine warns against confusing religious information with faith transmission, which alone opens to Christian practice and interiority beyond technical knowledge. In digitized, unequal worlds, education addresses emergencies like poverty and migration as "highest expressions of Christian charity," rebuilding trust amid conflicts. Recent sources like Leo XIV's letter take precedence, urging renewal of methodologies with spiritual depth.
In summary, Catholic doctrine positions religious education as indispensable for spiritual renewal, igniting personal conversion, ecclesial vitality, and cultural leaven through catechesis's warmth and witness. It calls the faithful to embrace this mission, ensuring Gospel freshness for each generation.