By Jay Sorgi • Posted March 6, 2026

A capacity crowd of Catholic men spread across the halls and auditorium of Cardinal O’Hara High School Feb. 28 to support one another and reaffirm Christ as the center of their lives during Man Up Philly 2026.

The all-day men’s spirituality conference has become an annual tradition in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia since 2008.

“Welcome to the rescue mission, because you’re rescuing souls,” said Man Up Philly Chairman Eustace Mita welcoming the assembled men — one-third of whom were attending for the first time.

He began the day leading solemn prayer in union with the Holy Father’s monthly intentions.

The men then clapped and sang along to “Stand By Me,” a hymn acknowledging God as father and their assembled brothers in faith.

Then came an unexpected appearance by Ed Morris, the father-in-law of the late NHL hockey star Johnny Gaudreau, who died suddenly in 2024. Encouraged by Mita, Morris opened up about his experience watching the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team without Gaudreau. NBC executives invited Gaudreau’s widow, Meredith, and children to the Olympics.

“I had a weak moment,” Morris said. “I didn’t know how I would get happy, didn’t know my family would get happy. I lost a little bit of trust. But what did I learn? That God would never stop working for us.”

He said he was at a family event in Florida when the U.S. men’s team won the gold medal on an overtime goal over Canada.

“My wife said, ‘Hey, stop! Look at the screen.’ It was right when they won the gold medal, right when they skated John’s jersey around, and right when his kids came on the ice. (It) was such a beautiful moment,” he said.

“I went home, saw these people, and said ‘Hey guys, are we happy?’” And we all smiled. We said we were happy. First time in 18 months my family was happy. I have to trust (God) every minute of every day, 100%. I can never back off of my trust. He had a plan. He had his timing. He knew that day was gonna happen.”

Chris Gheysens, Wawa CEO and a man whom Mita said “lives the example of St. Francis of Assisi to always preach the Gospel, and use words when necessary,” then took the stage to share lessons of humility.

“Somebody said in a comment, ‘Let’s face it, you could put a live goose in the CEO chair of Wawa, and (it) would do really well.’ I just sit in the seat,” he said. “Lead goose. That’s the business card I hand out.”

He also spoke about a life of mission and authenticity.

“You have to find out who you are first, what you believe in deeply. That takes time,” Gheysens said. “Where your private inner voice exactly aligns with your public outer voice, that’s called being authentic.”

Before eucharistic adoration Irish Catholic singer Mark Forrest encouraged the men to bring their struggles to God through the Eucharist. He shared his own battles, as his son Francesco passed away from a heart issue and three children battle a rare medical condition.

“What keeps it going for me is the fact that I know that the Lord has got this, and He’s got a plan for all of my children. And I know no matter what cross you carry in your life, I promise you Christ with that cross will also give you the grace to carry it,” Forrest said.

“It’s a care package that comes with a cross. And for so many of us, we continue to complain about that cross, but the Lord is saying to us in prayer, ‘Open up the package.’”

A time of adoration preceded opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation offered by about 45 priests spread throughout the high school. The men also had a chance to venerate relics of St. Padre Pio.

Fueled with the sacraments and with lunch, the men then listened to Father Doug McKay, founder of Our House Ministries in South Philadelphia’s Gray’s Ferry neighborhood. He shared his powerful journey of recovery from alcohol addiction and recounted times when the Lord empowered him to serve the needs of others who have faced similar battles.

“I can’t possess grace, but I receive it. I grew up in ‘Grace Ferry,’” he joked. “I preach what I believe. I proclaim what I know … I proclaim mercy.”

Father McKay spoke of the grace and mercy he received grace in his battle against alcoholism. He explained his connection to Venerable Matt Talbot, an Irish Catholic man who gave up his addictions and devoted his life to people in need.

Father McKay also described miraculous moments of Christ’s saving love in his life — including the experience of helping a man who was trying to beat the priest to death while attempting to steal his car.

After ceasing the attack and collapsing in tears, the man told Father McKay, “I don’t want to hurt anybody. I just got out of jail. My kids are hungry.” Father McKay gave the man gave money to help him.

“We talk, and we embrace like brothers,” he told the men assembled for his talk. “Only grace is stronger than addiction. Only God is stronger than sin.”

Kevin Reilly, a former Philadelphia Eagle whose rare tumor led to the amputation of his left arm, shoulder and five ribs, showcased an inner strength from God that helped him overcome his struggles.

He told how fellow Catholic and former Pittsburgh Steeler Rocky Bleier encouraged his recovery.

“‘You must try whatever you’re trying to accomplish 12 times before you give up.’ I said, ‘Rock, come on. That’s silly stuff. How about three times?’ He said, ‘No, 12 times. You’ll be amazed at how many times at nine and 10 that you win. And if you don’t win by 11 or 12, then say, ‘We lost.’”

That perseverance in faith led Reilly to success in family and the corporate world.

“Think about trying things 12 times,” he told the assembled men before leading the venerable “E-A-G-L-E-S” chant. “Think about pushing yourself just a little bit. And whatever you do, just say your prayers.”

The day ended with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, giving the image in his homily of Christ climbing a mountain as he did in the Gospel during the transfiguration, and again with the cross on Good Friday to open the doors of Heaven.

“This is the moment of grace for you and for me,” the archbishop said. “The Lord says to us today here on this mountain, whatever you felt welling up inside of you throughout this day, make sure that you take it with you. That you don’t leave it on this mountain, that you pray on that, and that you let it sink into you.

“You and I are also beloved. Doesn’t matter what we’ve been through. It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve fallen.”