Holy League Men’s Conference to Feature Abp. Sample

You are not signed in as a Premium user; you are viewing the free version of this program. Premium users have access to full-length programs with limited commercials and receive a 10% discount in the store! Sign up for only one day for the low cost of $1.99. Click the button below.

See All Plans

PORTLAND, Ore. (ChurchMilitant.com) - The Holy League is again featuring Abp. Alexander Sample at its fourth annual men's conference in Sample's archdiocese of Portland, Oregon.

Endorsed by Cdl. Raymond Burke, the Holy League is calling men to its conference on Dec. 7 at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Portland. Holy League organizer James Thurman told Church Militant that Sample wants his men to attend the conference.

"Archbishop Sample has been present at our conference throughout the years, and he wants the men of his archdiocese there," said Thurman. "The archbishop and archdiocese have encouraged grassroots movements like this conference."

The conference challenges men to be Catholic, said Thurman, starting with Rosary at 6 a.m. followed by the Traditional Latin Mass offered by Sample at 6:30 a.m. in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

Last year, the archbishop said a low pontifical Mass. The men loved it! So, the archbishop is doing it again. This year we are doing a rorate low pontifical Mass. It's a special Mass offered during Advent in honor of Our Lady. The Mass starts before dawn and is timed so that the consecration happens at sunrise. Powerful!

The Rosary and Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin emphasize the Holy League's focus on two pillars, which Thurman notes were highlighted in a vision by St. John Bosco.

"We make clear to the men about the two pillars of the Eucharist and Our Lady that will get us through these times that St. Bosco spoke about," related Thurman. "Men need to know we are in a spiritual fight for our Church and we must know our enemy — the prince of this world."

The Holy League, backed by Sample and boasting of Burke as its patron, is spiritually headquartered in La Crosse, Wisconsin, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe constructed by Burke.

It seeks to move men to begin in their own parishes what's called a "Holy League Holy Hour." This consists of eucharistic adoration preceded by a short reflection for men and is accompanied by the opportunity for confession. This spiritual hour is followed by an hour of manly fellowship.

Burke foresees the Holy League inspiring men to start these monthly holy hours in their own parishes across the country, related Thurman.

"A main emphasis of the conference," explained Thurman, "is to promote Cdl. Burke's endorsed movement of 'Holy League Holy Hours.' The holy hour consists of the six pillars: Adoration, sermons geared for men, confession, men's Rosary, benediction and a fraternal meal."

"My goal is for men to take the reins and go home and start a 'Holy League Holy Hour' in their own parish," he added.

Along with Sample, the Holy League conference will also be featuring Catholic authors and speakers Dr. Ralph Martin, Jesse Romero and Tim Gordon.

"I think we have great a range of speakers that will motivate the men to be leaders for our families and parishes," remarked Thurman. "We hammer the message — 'be a saint, what else is there' and 'be holy, or die trying.'"

A popular Wisconsin priest and staunch supporter of the Holy League, Fr. Richard Heilman, summed up the group's mission in this spiritual manner:

The Holy League, in a Spirit of Marian Chivalry, under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Joseph, seeks to provide opportunities for the faithful to unite in prayer, especially monthly Eucharistic Holy Hours, for purification from sin and predisposition to Supernatural Grace for the fuller exercise of the threefold offices of Priest, Prophet, and King received at Baptism.

The conference, exclaimed Thurman, is about aiding Catholic husbands and fathers to become Christ's spiritual soldiers.

"It's about igniting men to be soldiers for Christ and His Church," asserted Thurman. "Our goal is to encourage men to be the husbands, fathers and sons that God has called them to be."

To participate in the Holy League Men's Conference this December, click here.

Have a news tip? Submit news to our tip line.

We rely on you to support our news reporting. Please donate today.