This year, the month of October belongs to Our Lady.
On Friday, Oct. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 3, the Denver Marian Conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Convention Center. The last time there was a Marian Conference was two years ago with nearly 1,100 people in attendance. Dennis Malcolmb, the head of the conference, hopes that there will be that many and perhaps even more in attendance this year as well.
“The theme of the conference is ‘Be not afraid.’ There’s a lot of fear out there and I think what’s important is (for) those that come to the conference to be enriched,” Malcomb told the Denver Catholic. “We want them to feel that even though these times may look challenging, there is hope and heaven is close.”
This year, the conference boasts many great speakers along with adoration, music and prayer time. Susan Tassone, an award-winning author will give a talk on what purgatory is and how we can help souls reach Heaven. Father Tim Gallagher of the Lanteri Center for Ignatian Spirituality, and who is well-versed in spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, will talk about how to overcome spiritual discouragement.
Father Chad Ripperger, an expert on spiritual warfare and exorcism and also well-known for his book Deliverance Prayers – For use of the Laity will do a talk reflecting on Our Lady. Father Donald Calloway of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and author of Consecration to St. Joseph will talk about the importance of consecration to our spiritual father St. Joseph and the importance of the Rosary. Father Chris Alar, another of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, and who is well-versed in the Divine Mercy will do a talk on the importance of the Divine Mercy in our lives.
Throughout the weekend, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered and Holy Mass will be celebrated every day. Additionally, the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited each day. The beautiful adoration music will be provided by Anna Nuzzo, a renowned Catholic musician.
Since it’s the year of St. Joseph, the conference will start with a procession on Friday before the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Something very special that they are also offering this year is a 72’ banner that will be out for people to write their petitions on, all of which will be offered on Sunday during the Mass offertory. Last but not least, the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe that will be in Colorado for the month of October will be present for the entirety of the weekend.
For those who may be hesitant to attend due to COVID, Malcolmb wants to reassure those who are worried about large gatherings that proper safety precautions will be in place.
“We will be spraying disinfectant every night that we are there,” he said. “Masks are optional, and we want people to feel comfortable, so if they wish to wear the mask, we want them to wear it. We are going to have sanitation stations throughout as well. I think it goes back to the theme as Churches are opening up, we need each other. We need community and just to ‘Be not afraid.’”
For registration and questions, visit denvermarianconference.com. If you do not register by September 22, you will have to do so at the door. The rate is $65 per adult and $35 for college students.