For seventy years, LCWR has walked alongside women religious as they responded to the changing needs of the world with faith, courage, and hope. Now, this anniversary invites us into something more than a celebration. It is an historic encounter that brings together women and men religious from Canada, the United States, and Latin America for a first of its kind gathering across the Americas. Rooted in prayer, contemplation, and the Conversation in the Spirit process, we will listen deeply to one another's stories, wisdom, hopes, and questions as we reflect on this vocation together. Through personal witness, profound dialogue, and communal reflection, we will discover how our many charisms continue to be united by one Spirit and one call. As we journey together, we will not simply reflect on seventy years of grace, we will help shape the vocation of religious life, carrying home renewed vision, deeper communion, and a shared commitment to God's mission in our world.
As we gather the blessings of seventy years of faithfulness, service, and hope, Pope Leo XIV and Sister Simona Brambilla, MC will share a special message for the occasion. Their words will inspire our celebration, deepen our reflection, and encourage us as we continue to discern the future of religious life together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ is a member of the Institut La Xavière Missionnaire du Christ Jésus. She studied at the Jesuit Faculty of Centre Sèvres in Paris and specialized in ecclesiology with a research on synodality at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. For 25 years she was involved in youth ministry and served as director of the National Service for the Evangelization of Youth and Vocations of the French Bishops’ Conference from 2012 to 2018. She took part in the Synod on Youth as an observer and became consultor to the general secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. On February 6, 2021 she was appointed by Pope Francis as undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops and on December 2021 also as member of the Dicastery for Communication.
Reference: Final Document of the XVI Assembly
Vicky Larson, PBVM is the 2025-2026 president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. A member of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Aberdeen, South Dakota, she served as a nurse in Tyndall, Aberdeen and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. For more than 20 years she served as a nursing professor at Presentation College, St. Catherine University, and Augustana University. From 2018-2022 she served as a councilor on her congregation leadership team and since 2022 has served as the congregational vice-president.
Sr. Mila Díaz Solano, OP, is a Dominican Sister of Springfield, originally from Peru. A Scripture scholar with advanced studies in theology and biblical studies in Jerusalem, she has served in parish ministry, theological education, and leadership in both Peru and the United States. She has taught Scripture at seminaries and universities, served in the leadership of her congregation from 2019 to 2024, and currently teaches at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where she also serves as Associate Director of the Oscar Romero Scholars Program. Deeply committed to immigrant ministry, she helps form pastoral leaders nationwide and serves on several boards, including AHLMA and LCWR, bringing together scholarship, faith, and advocacy in service of the Church.
Sister Mary Gabriel Devlin, S.V. is a Sister of Life whose encounter with Christ transformed her life and led her to join the community in 1999, professing perpetual vows in 2007. Raised on Long Island, New York, in a family rooted in the Gospel and social justice, she has helped shape her community's evangelization mission while serving as Vocation Director, Novice Director, and now as a local Superior. She also leads strategic community initiatives and serves as President and Chair of the Board of the GIVEN Institute, where she is dedicated to mentoring and forming the next generation of Catholic women leaders.
Friar Michael Perras, OFM was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan, Canada, the oldest of four. Along with his siblings he grew up in his parents' grocery store where he learned about community and service. Prior to joining the Franciscans, he served in several communities as a Youth Minister and Pastoral Assistant. He is a non-ordained Franciscan Friar, solemnly professed since August 2019. He currently serves as a Spiritual Director, Vocations and Initial Formation Director. He is part of the Canadian Franciscan Provincial Council and the Canadian Religious Conference Board of Directors.
Presider: Wednesday
Fr. Alain Ambeault, CSV, is a member of the Clerics of St. Viator and has served as Executive Director of the Canadian Religious Conference (CRC) since 2019. Ordained a priest in 1986, he has held numerous leadership roles within his congregation, including Superior General, as well as within the CRC, where he previously served as Councilor and President. With a background in theology, parish ministry, and religious leadership, he is deeply committed to strengthening consecrated life and fostering hope and collaboration among religious communities in Canada and beyond.
Call to Worship: Wednesday
Sr. Sheena George, a native of India, serves on the Congregation Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, an international community of vowed women religious. She holds a master's degree in Pastoral Counseling and a bachelor's degree in theology and psychology from Fordham University and serves on the LCWR Board. Passionate about religious life, Sheena is committed to living and promoting peace through justice. Known for her compassionate leadership and deep faith, she finds joy in listening to music and taking neighborhood walks.
Presider: Friday
José Luis Loyola Abogado (Pepe), MSpS, is a Missionary of the Holy Spirit whose vocational call is rooted in being a brother, friend, and companion in the manner of Jesus. He holds a bachelor's degree in theology and a licentiate in Sacred Scripture and is currently pursuing a degree in Sociocultural Anthropology. He serves as General Animator of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit and as President of both the Conference of Religious of Mexico (CIRM) and the Latin American and Caribbean Confederation of Religious (CLAR).
Call to Worship: Friday
Sister Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN is a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, U.S. East-West Province. For more than 40 years, Sister Patty has worked with her religious community and congregations nationwide to examine and dismantle institutional and systemic racism in pursuit of justice. She is frequently invited to speak publicly on these issues.
Sister Patty has received numerous honors, including the Harriet Tubman Award from the National Black Sisters’ Conference, the Outstanding Leadership Award from LCWR, the Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace Award, and the Sister Mary Rosa Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut.
Maria Elena Martinez, OSF will serve as the facilitator of this year’s event. Maria Elena is a Redwood City Franciscan. As an experienced facilitator, she has a gift for creating intercultural processes that nurture communal discernment. She is presently provincial minister of her province community in California.
Kathy Fletcher Wray will serve as the event liturgist. She is the coordinator of worship and director of the St. Joseph Spirituality Center for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, Pennsylvania.
Register early to take advantage of discounted pricing. Space is limited.
June 21-July 13 $525
After July 13 $560
Please note that the registration fee will include 4 nights of lodging (August 11, 12, 13, & 14) and the following meals:
After you register online, an e-mail confirmation will be sent to you. Payments must be made via credit card. If you are unable to pay via credit card, please contact Nix Conference & Meeting Management at registrar@nixmeetings.com or at 314-645-1455.
A growing number of congregations no longer have the funds to afford the costs of attending an LCWR program and request financial assistance from LCWR. We ask you to consider donating to the LCWR Financial Assistance Fund so that the conference can offer some assistance to leaders who request help. For more information or if your congregation needs scholarship support to attend the 70th Anniversary Celebration, contact Kesha Fitzhugh at 301-588-4955, option 3 (ext. 228) or kfitzhugh@lcwr.org.
All registrants for the 70th Anniversary will be staying at the Rosen Centre where all sessions will also be held. All exhibitors will also be staying at the Rosen Centre.
The rate for a double/single occupancy room is $145.00 plus tax (current tax is 13.5%) at both hotels. Taxes are subject to change. Attendees and exhibitors will be asked to provide a credit card as part of the hotel request process through this form. This card will not be charged at this time.
For attendees, four nights of lodging accommodations (August 11, 12, 13, and 14) will be paid for by LCWR (additional nights will be charged to the individual). Exhibitors will pay for their own lodging. For attendees, if you do not cancel your reservation and do not show up for the 70th Anniversary, the hotel will charge the card on file for your missed reservation.
Check in is at 3:00pm; Check out is at 11:00am.
The hotel will honor sleeping room cancellations received 48 hours prior to arrival. Cancellations after this time will incur a charge of one night room and tax.
The Rosen Centre is located approximately 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO). The hotels do not offer a shuttle from either airport. App based rides (Uber / Lyft) are available from both airports in addition to taxis.
Parking at both hotels is $32 per night for self-parking and $45 per night for valet parking.
To amend your 70th Anniversary Celebration registration or hotel reservation, simply revisit this site using the link provided in your confirmation email. Any modifications made will be promptly communicated to Nix Conference & Meeting Management.
Please submit cancellation requests for registration and/or hotel reservations in writing via email to registrar@nixmeetings.com
For assistance with your registration, please call Nix Conference & Meeting Management at 314-645-1455 or email registrar@nixmeetings.com