By Ed Hopfner
Close to 90 men packed into the Homer Krause hall recently, for first-ever Bay Area Spanish-language Catholic Men’s Conference The event was held at St Pius church in Redwood City on September 13. Participants came from all three Bay Area dioceses, and from as far away as the Central Valley (Atwater, Merced), with one attendee even traveling from Monterey, Mexico. With such an enthusiastic response from the community, the leaders intend to make this an annual event.
Father Javier Ravasi began the day by focusing on a Catholic understanding of what it means to be a man, and the need for men to reclaim authentic masculinity. Our culture, while emphasizing the importance of the feminine, often denigrates masculinity which has led to a crisis. Absentee fathers, addictions, domestic violence, and incarceration rates are all symptoms of the lack of true masculinity. Young men need approval from their fathers, to learn that the world is a challenge, that they can be hurt but still survive and thrive. If a father does not shape his son, society will.
Father Ravasi then quoted John Eldredge, “Deep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.” But the world today tells men they should go sit in a cubicle.
Men are made to fight and even die for those they love, as Christ did. In addition to confronting potential physical danger and battle, men must also engage in spiritual combat, starting with self-examination – “Am I willing to fight my temptations to indulge my vices, and instead struggle to be virtuous?” Father Ravasi then encouraged men to go to confession frequently.
Father Arturo Bazan, the second conference speaker, focused on the importance of fatherhood. Using the example of Zaccheus, he showed how Jesus called him to repentance and conversion, not by criticism, but by first calling him into relationship (asking to dine at his house), which led Zaccheus to examine his own conscience, acknowledge his wrongdoings, and repent with the intention of amending his ways. As the spiritual head of the household, fathers are to discipline their children not through harsh criticism, but humbly, by showing them love, offering forgiveness, and gently leading them into correction.
Luis Contreras, a third speaker, used a clip from the Knights of Columbus’ video series “Into the Breach” to spark a discussion about the need for fraternity, for men to work together and support each other. This led to a lively discussion among the men at each table, with several remarking how rare it was for them to talk about their faith in their daily lives with other Catholic men.
Father Ravasi ended the day with a brief history of the Cristero wars, as a contemporary example of the need for masculine strength and bravery. Many people have forgotten the sacrifices of Christians throughout history he noted, and reminded participants that “the blood of martyrs is the seedbed of the Church.” Drawing parallels to modern figures like Charlie Kirk, he challenged the men to embody courage, to be men of conviction, bravery, and steadfast faith.
