More than 600 women participate in daylong experience featuring inspiring talks, testimonies, music and sacraments
This article originally was published in Detroit Catholic en Español, the Spanish-language sister publication of Detroit Catholic.
DEARBORN — There are wounds that can cause a woman to forget her own worth: words she has heard since childhood, experiences that leave a mark, and expectations that lead her to seek in others the approval for which she longs. But what happens when she discovers that her dignity does not depend on those voices, but on the love with which God created her?
That was one of the core questions addressed at the Archdiocese of Detroit’s 17th Hispanic Women’s Conference, held Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Dearborn Center for the Performing Arts under the theme “Designed for Glory.” More than 600 women participated in a day featuring talks, personal testimonies, music, and Eucharistic adoration.
During the gathering, participants reflected on women's dignity, the wounds that can affect their identity, and the hope that stems from faith. The Mass, celebrated by Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, along with Fr. Jaime Hinojos's homily, completed a day especially marked by prayer and the pursuit of healing.
“For me, this conference was more than an event: it was an encounter, because I feel that women truly encountered God,” reflected Karen Solís, who was in charge of the music and the Holy Hour, in an interview with Detroit Catholic en Español.
Rediscovering the worth of every woman
The talks given by presenters Marcela Palos and Brenda García addressed the theme from different perspectives, combining teachings on female identity with personal experiences of suffering and hope.
Palos focused her presentations on women's dignity and how life experiences can shape how individuals perceive themselves. Drawing from St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, she explained human identity from the perspective of faith, reminding attendees that a woman’s worth does not depend on her appearance, achievements, or the approval of others, but on the love of God, who views them as dearly beloved daughters.
The speaker also spoke about wounds that can originate in childhood and how certain words — even those spoken without realizing their consequences — can remain in one’s memory for years. Comments about a young girl's appearance, behavior, or ability can end up becoming beliefs that shape how she sees herself in adulthood.
Palos conveyed profound concepts in an approachable way, accessible to women of various ages and circumstances. According to Solís, her talks were not limited to pointing out wounds, but invited participants to acknowledge them and seek paths toward healing. The goal was to reclaim a dignity that, although affected by personal experiences, never loses its foundation in God's love.
García, on her part, shared her personal experience surrounding human love, disappointments, and hope. Her testimony included the pain of a relationship that seemed headed toward marriage but ultimately ended, forcing her to face a reality very different from the one she had imagined.
Through her story, she conveyed that suffering does not have to be the end of the narrative and that, even amid difficult circumstances, fruits can emerge that a person may not fully understand at the time.
Testimonies that opened paths of hope
Another moment that profoundly impacted attendees was the testimony of Armida Ponce, who shared a story marked by childhood sexual abuse and the consequences those experiences had on her adult life.
Ponce related how, after going through painful situations and several abortions, she reached a point where she felt the need to seek help and draw closer to God. Her encounter with faith led her to face wounds she had tried to leave behind and embark on a journey of healing.
She also shared how she came to forgive the person who had abused her and how that experience transformed her understanding of her own life story. From then on, she decided to dedicate part of her life to defending life and accompanying women in vulnerable situations.
“The testimony was deeply moving and highlighted both the severity of some of the wounds women can carry and the importance of having spaces where they can find support and accompaniment,” Solís explained.
This year, the conference also introduced a special space for teenage girls, offering activities and talks tailored to their age group. The initiative provided an opportunity to address issues affecting youth, such as addictions, in a safe environment that encouraged them to share their concerns and speak more freely about the difficulties they face.
Music and adoration at the heart of the encounter
As the music coordinator for the conference, Solís sought to ensure that the songs accompanied and reinforced the speakers' messages. Her ministry participated at various times throughout the day, including breaks, rest periods, and the Holy Hour.
The repertoire blended Latin music, electronic sounds, and rock from different eras to engage women across different generations.
However, it was during the Holy Hour that Solís experienced one of the most meaningful moments of the day. From the stage where the music ministry was located, she could see more than 600 women gathered before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, their eyes fixed on Him.
To her, that image captured the essence of the conference: after listening to talks and testimonies about dignity, wounds, and hope, the participants were able to bring everything they had experienced into prayer and have a personal encounter with Jesus.
God’s glory in everyday life
The Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Weisenburger, was another central moment of the conference. During the homily, Fr. Hinojos drew upon the day's Scripture readings to unpack the theme, “Designed for Glory.”
The priest reminded attendees that true glory does not consist in receiving applause, gaining prestige, or achieving recognition, but in living in union with Christ and reflecting His presence through one's actions.
Reflecting on the Gospel — in which Jesus declares blessed those who hear the Word of God and act upon it — Fr. Hinojos presented the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model of faith. The mother of Jesus did not merely hear the Word; she trusted it and responded with her life.
The priest invited women to follow that same path: to hear the Word, welcome it with faith, and put it into practice through concrete decisions, forgiveness, service, and fidelity to God amidst difficulties.
Fr. Hinojos also highlighted the role of women in passing on the faith within their families. Teaching children to attend Mass or pray the rosary might seem like mundane tasks, but those simple actions can leave a lasting mark.
“Recalling the role of his own mother and grandmother in his religious upbringing, Fr. Hinojos became emotional as he recalled how they had taught him to pray the rosary,” Solís relayed. “That moment brought to light the value of so many everyday actions that, while sometimes appearing small, can profoundly shape a person's life and relationship with God.”
A space to return home with hope
The participation of women from different generations and the coordinated efforts of the organizing team made a difference, Solís said. She also stressed the special significance these gatherings hold for Hispanic women living far from their countries of origin, families, and the communities where they grew up.
Many, she said, have left behind their homes, friendships, and jobs to start a new life in the United States. In that context, sharing their faith with others who speak their language and understand their shared experiences can offer a sense of belonging and an opportunity to feel supported.
The conference served as a reminder that no one has to face their struggles alone. Testimonies, prayer, and the opportunity to connect with others can pave the way for those who need to be heard, find support, or begin a journey of healing.
A woman who finds comfort and strength in God can also bring that hope to her family and community, she added.
“A woman with a full heart is a woman who has a strong home. She is the heart of the family. That is why defending her dignity is also protecting the home,” Solís concluded.
