With a strong call to become spiritual leaders in their homes, men gather for a day of faith, fraternity and renewal in Christ
DETROIT — In an atmosphere of deep faith, brotherhood and spiritual renewal, men from across the Archdiocese of Detroit gathered April 18 at Sacred Heart Major Seminary for the 17th Hispanic Men’s Conference, a day centered on one fundamental truth: Christ is King and the source of all strength.
Inspired by Joshua 24:15 — “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” — the conference invited participants to embrace more fully their role as spiritual leaders in their homes, especially at a time when families face growing challenges.
PHOTOS: See more photos from the 2026 Hispanic Men's Conference
More than just a one-day gathering, the conference offered an opportunity for men to come together in faith and support one another in their mission.
“It’s a fraternal, evangelizing and missionary conference that seeks to share the Gospel among men,” said Brenda Hascall, coordinator of Hispanic ministry for the Archdiocese of Detroit. “Faith begins in the home, and from there we are called to love God, love our families, and go out into the world with that same spirit.”
One of the key aspects of the conference was the invitation for fathers to attend alongside their teenage sons.
“Many young people today are heavily influenced by social media and competing ideologies, and at times they begin to drift away or stop listening to their parents,” Hascall said. “This conference offers a great opportunity to sit down together, listen to these messages, and spend the day with other men who share the same goal: growing closer to God.”
Throughout the day, participants took part in a variety of opportunities for formation and prayer, including talks, personal testimonies, praise and worship, Eucharistic adoration, and access to the sacrament of reconciliation — giving many the chance to experience a real moment of conversion.
One of the most moving moments was the testimony of a young man who, after a childhood car accident that left him in a wheelchair, shared how he found strength in God through suffering and perseverance. Speaking especially to younger attendees, he encouraged them not to let their struggles pull them away from God, but instead to allow those challenges to draw them closer to Him and help them find purpose.
The main presentations were led by Fr. Thomas Florek, SJ, and speaker Luis Soto, who reflected on what it means to live out one’s faith in today’s world. Both speakers encouraged men to “put on the armor of Christ” and to live their vocation with courage, especially within the family.
Soto emphasized that faith is not something abstract, but something lived out day by day. He reflected on how Christian life begins in the home, through the example of a man as a husband and father, and through simple but consistent acts of faith.
Another important theme throughout the conference was fostering a deeper sense of belonging within the local Church. In a context where many immigrants remain closely tied to their countries of origin, participants were encouraged to take the next step: to become more rooted in their parishes and to actively build community where God has placed them.
“We are called to share our culture, but also to integrate, to build bridges, and to live out one faith as brothers,” Hascall said.
The presence of numerous ministries was also a central component of the event. Through informational tables, participants were able to connect with groups offering support for a variety of needs, including addiction recovery, marriage healing, depression and loneliness.
“We want men not only to hear a message, but to know where to turn afterward — how to continue living out that faith in their daily lives,” Hascall added.
The day also included moments of fellowship, such as a shared meal, live music, and a spiritual reflection on the battle between good and evil, helping participants reflect on the daily choices and challenges they face.
One of the most powerful moments of the conference was a Holy Hour led by Fr. Florek, which helped prepare participants for the celebration of the Eucharist. The day concluded with Mass celebrated by Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, accompanying the men in this important moment of their faith journey.
His presence was deeply appreciated by both organizers and participants as a sign of pastoral closeness and support for the Hispanic community.
The liturgy, which included a homily by Fr. Jaime Hinojos, was marked by reverence and joy, bringing to a close a day that was both spiritually enriching and personally meaningful.
The conference also featured tangible expressions of devotion, such as the distribution of prayer materials dedicated to St. Joseph and the presence of a relic of José Sánchez del Río, helping to strengthen the spiritual identity of those in attendance.
For many, the conference was a meaningful turning point — an opportunity to pause, reflect, and refocus on what matters most: their relationship with God and their role within the family.
“Our hope is that this day marks a real before and after,” Hascall said, “that men leave strengthened, with practical tools and a renewed commitment to live their faith more fully, starting in their own homes.”
This article was first published in Spanish on Detroit Catholic en Espanol, the Spanish-language sister publication of Detroit Catholic.
