Staff and volunteers for the Theology of the Body Institute pray together during the closing Mass of the congress Friday, July 11 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.

Damon Owens, executive director of the Theology of the Body Institute, attends Mass with his wife and eight children at the end of the congress.

Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul hosted the closing Mass, celebrated by Bishop John McIntyre, for the Theology of the Body Congress July 11.

Participants of the Theology of the Body Congress worship during Mass at the cathedral.

Altar servers lead the entrance procession at the start of Mass July 11.

Stephanie Santoleri, a congress volunteer with the Theology of the Body Institute, prays during Mass July 11.

Damon Owens, executive director of Theology of the Body Institute, gives the final keynote address, “Love, Mercy, and the New Evanglization: Transformation Through Reverence of the Other” on Friday, July 11, the last day of the congress.

Christopher West, co-founder of Theology of the Body Institute, along with fellow panelists Janet Smith (keynote speaker), John Grabowski (professor at the Catholic University of America), and Peter Colosi (professor at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary) take questions during the panel discussion “Theology of the Body and the Synods on the Family.”

Father Alan Boisclair from the Archdiocese of Vancouver poses a question to panelists July 11 during the discussion titled, “Theology of the Body and the Synods on the Family.”

The panel discussion on Theology of the Body for youth and young adults was standing room only at the International Theology of the Body Congress Sept. 10 in Philadelphia. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

Sister Mary Elizabeth leads a group discussion July 10 titled “Theology of the Body and the New Feminism,” which was one of 10 discussion groups during the congress.

Emily Stinton leads a group discussion on “Theology of the Body and the Single Life” July 10.

Discussing the congress are, from left, Peter Braam from St. Paul, Minn.; Archbishop Charles Chaput; Damon Owens, executive director of Theology of the Body Institute; and Janet Smith, one of the keynote speakers during the congress.

Christopher West (center) and his wife Wendy (right) pray with Suzy Grybas from Chicago who was one of the first 10 people to earn her Theology of the Body certification.

Chris Oravetz of Jersey City, N.J., and his fiance Celine Casals from New York City listen intently to Bishop Jean Laffitte’s keynote address, “Reflection of Pope St. John Paul II on the Human Body”,” July 10.

During the keynote address on Thursday, July 10, which was sponsored by the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, Bishop Jean Laffitte of the Pontifical Council for the Family speaks on ““Reflection of Pope St. John Paul II on the Human Body”.”

Bishop Jean Laffitte speaks on “Reflection of Pope St. John Paul II on the Human Body”.”

Among the participants watching a promotional video on the World Meeting of Families next year in Philadelphia are, from left, Damon Owens, Archbishop Charles Chaput, Susan Maier and Bishop Jean Laffitte.

Edward Sri discusses ““Theology of the Body, the Eucharist and the Interior Life”” in the philosophy and theology track of the congress July 10.

Danish psychologist Dr. Peter Damgaard-Hansen speaks to his audience in the creatively titled conference, ““’It is Not Good for Man to Be Alone — But it is Not Easy or Man to Be With Someone Either”.”

Father Michael Gaitley, M.I.C., who gave a keynote address on “”Vatican II, Divine Mercy and the Theology of the Body”,” signs books for Mike and Amy Bell from Philadelphia.

Father Gaitley signs books after his talk, “Vatican II, Divine Mercy and the Theology of the Body.”

Congress participants chose from one of nine breakout sessions to attend on July 9, including the talk of Peter Colosi, above, titled “The Relation of Theology of the Body to the History of Church Teaching on Marriage, Family and Sexuality.”

John Grabowski “offers “Something Old, Something New: Tradition and Development of Doctrine in the TOB’’s Teaching on Marriage”” during his breakout session July 9.

Rose Sweet speaks July 9 on ““Theology of the Body: ‘’The Rule of Four’’ for the Divorced”.”

After the keynote talk on the first day, July 9, participants have a chance to visit more than 35 vendors.

Debbie Staresinic from Cincinnati, Ohio, reflects on the keynote address by Dr. Deborah Savage on ““Complementarity as Mission: Man, Woman and the Culture of Life”” July 9.

Katie Hazelton from Arlington, Va., and Anna Holowinsky from Annandale, Va., make notations after the keynote address by Deborah Savage on ““Complementarity as Mission: Man, Woman and the Culture of Life”.”

Geri Scazzero from New York City listens intently to Deborah Savage’s keynote address.

Deborah Savage gives the keynote address on ““Complementarity as Mission: Man, Woman and the Culture of Life”” to over 700 people July 9.

Deborah Savage

Damon Owens, executive director of Theology of the Body Institute, welcomes people to the congress at its opening Wednesday, July 9.

Lauren Garcia (left) moderates the panel discussion for youth and young adults, which included Father Stephen DeLacy (far right), director of the archdiocesan Office for Vocations to Diocesan Priesthood.