Our summit will gather theologians, writers, and inspirational speakers for a one-day event exploring the feminine genius at the heart of the Catholic tradition. Open to both men and women.
10am–5pm · St Patrick’s Soho · London
And why is that a question for all of us: men and women alike?
In every age, the Church has held up a vision of womanhood that is both beautiful and mysterious: one that speaks to identity, vocation, and the heart of human relationships.
A special Summit during the Jubilee Year, “Woman in the Church” will explore that vision through theology, literature, history, and personal witness.
From cultural narratives like the #GirlBoss and #TradWife, to Mary’s lasting influence; from the meaning of the feminine genius, to the women who have shaped culture, faith and history — this Summit will explore questions about authentic womanhood and invites everyone to rediscover why they matter.
We are honoured to welcome the Sisters of Life, a religious community of women founded in 1991 who take a fourth vow to protect the sacredness of human life.Rooted in Eucharistic prayer and vibrant community life, they serve women in need, offer healing after abortion, and foster a Culture of Life through retreats, evangelisation, and accompaniment.
Discover
Mother Agnes Mary, SV was one of the first women to join the Sisters of Life, and served as Superior General from 1993 to 2023. With a PhD in psychology and a former academic career at Columbia University and the College of William and Mary, she brings deep insight into family, motherhood, and the dignity of life. Now based in Denver, she continues to share the message of reverence for human life through evangelisation, writing, and mission work.
Sr. Lumen Gloriae grew up in rural Nebraska and studied engineering at MIT before encountering the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration and joining the Sisters of Life in 2016. She professed final vows in 2024 and now lives in Denver, serving in the mission of evangelisation and as a writer for IMPRINT Magazine.
Sr. Marie Veritas is Director of Evangelisation for the Sisters of Life and based in Denver. Originally from Alberta, Canada, she holds a degree in biology and English literature, and professed final vows in 2018. She is editor of IMPRINT Magazine and co-host of the Let Love Podcast, sharing the beauty of the human person and the Gospel of life.
Sr. Joseph Mary Nazareth from Kent, England, worked as a cardiology and palliative care nurse before entering the Sisters of Life in 2020. Inspired by St. John Paul II’s teaching and a call to serve the suffering, she now lives in the Bronx, serving on the postulant formation team and writing for IMPRINT Magazine.
Kerri Christopher (M.A., S.T.L.) is an Oxfordshire, UK-based writer, speaker, and life consultant who occasionally teaches theology. Her work has been published in Word on Fire, First Things, Dappled Things, Public Discourse, and Blessed is She.Specialising in theological anthropology, Kerri has taught at universities in both the US and UK and served as director of the Humanum Institute. She founded Clarity Life Consulting to help individuals learn to discern well, discover their priorities, and make better plans to move forward with purpose and peace, after realising that many of her students struggled with decision-making. Kerri writes about these topics regularly on her Substack, Cultivating Clarity.
Sally Read is an award-winning poet, editor of 100 Great Catholic Poems (Word on Fire), and author of Night’s Bright Darkness and The Mary Pages. A former atheist, her work explores faith, motherhood, and beauty, and has been featured by the BBC, The Times Literary Supplement, and Radio Maria England. She lives near Rome.
Dr Arabella Volkers left a 25-year career in investment banking to study theology, and is now a DPhil candidate in Patristic theology at Oxford, researching early fourth-century Trinitarian debates. She holds degrees from St John’s University (USA) and London Business School, and has a lively range of interests from flying to fractals.
Dr Bonnie Lander Johnson is a Fellow at Downing College, Cambridge, where she lectures on Renaissance literature and the history of women, religion, and the body. Her research includes Shakespeare, early modern Catholicism, and female writers of the Catholic Literary Revival. She writes both fiction and non-fiction, and is an advocate for integrating faith, culture, and the arts.
Dr Margaret Harper McCarthy is a professor of theological anthropology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute in Washington, D.C., where she explores the meaning of the human person in relation to gender, family, and vocation. She is the editor of Humanum Review and writes widely on marriage, motherhood, and the theology of the body.
Tickets for this Summit help us to cover our costs. We want everyone to be able to come, so we hope that there is a ticket which is affordable for you no matter what your financial situation. If possible, we encourage selecting a Sponsor Ticket to cover the cost for someone else.
In the beauty of St Patrick’s Church and with a background of constant Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel, the Summit timetable allows for you to enjoy times of prayer, good conversation and high quality inputs.
Join us on Saturday 10 May 2025 at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, 21a Soho Square London, W1D 4NR. Event registration opens from 10:00 and there is a public Mass in the Church at 9:00. The event concludes at 17:00.
Summits are for anyone seeking to grow in their faith or learn more about the Catholic Faith. Built with Mass-going Catholics in mind, its rich and relatable content and diverse speakers mean that it will engage all ages of adult. Children are welcome to attend with their parents/guardians.
Surrounded by the bustling high streets of central London, St Patrick’s Church is well equipped to hold days of this nature. The Church, Parish Centre and Café Manoppello are all wheelchair accessible, with an easy to use lift located at the rear of the Church. The modern Parish Centre is fitted with toilets and a professional kitchen that will provide lunch for the day.
Lunch is provided, whichever ticket you purchase for the day. All dietary requirements that you state in your registration form will be catered for. Café Mannoppello will be serving hot drinks and snacks throughout the day, and there will be a complimentary hot drinks station. Please note that dinner is not part of the timetable.
Most importantly, an open heart to receive what the Lord has in store for you. Other than that, we recommend that you bring a water bottle.
The Guild of Our Lady of Ransom enables parishes, ministries and individuals to promote the Catholic faith in England & Wales. It gives grants to parishes and missionary initiatives, connects evangelists and innovators and shares the good news from around the Church today.
We'd love to hear from you! Whether you have questions about the event, or need assistance with registration, we're here to help. Feel free to reach out to our team via the contact form below.
We're committed to ensuring that you have the best experience possible and look forward to connecting with you!
