Christ Our Life renews faith, inspires Catholics to action
by Diocese of Des Moines | October 6, 2026
BY ANN FOSTER THELEN
Rain fell outside Casey’s Center during much of the 2026 Christ Our Life Catholic Conference, but inside, the light of Christ shone brightly as more than 5,000 people gathered in person Sept. 26-27 to celebrate their Catholic faith through the Eucharist, prayer, inspiring speakers, music and fellowship. Attendance peaked at approximately 6,000 for Sunday Mass.
For many, the weekend was a deeply personal encounter with Christ.
An attendee from Clear Lake, Iowa, described Christ Our Life as “a beautiful opportunity to worship with Catholics from all over Iowa and our region,” adding, “Christ always provides a personal encounter through sacraments, speakers and fellowship. You always wish that everyone you know and love could be there to experience His love.”
That desire to share the Christ Our Life experience extended far beyond Casey’s Center. Another 3,644 people participated through the livestream, bringing the conference to more than 9,600 people in person and online. Livestream viewers joined from across the United States and around the world, including Australia, Ethiopia, Ireland, Italy, Germany, the Philippines, Canada, the United Kingdom, Rwanda and Singapore.
A weekend of faith and fellowship
From Iowa to Australia, Ethiopia and Scotland, speakers brought different experiences and perspectives but a common message: Know Christ more deeply and have the courage to share him with others.
The weekend’s lineup included:
- Father Max Carson, Iowa
- Gabriel Castillo, Texas
- Bishop Joseph Espaillat, New York
- Crystalina Evert, Arizona
- Bishop William Joensen, Iowa
- Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, Scotland
- Father David Michael Moses, Texas
- Charbel Raish, Australia
- Father Robert Spitzer, California
- Chris Stefanick, Colorado
- Sister Medhin Tesfay, Ethiopia
- Steve Angrisano, Texas
Those messages were reinforced throughout the weekend through Mass, Reconciliation, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Eucharistic Adoration, Benediction and music. Together, these experiences offered opportunities to pray, receive the sacraments and experience the joy of gathering with thousands of other Catholics.
Attendee feedback reflected the many ways people encountered Christ throughout the weekend. Speakers topped the list when attendees were asked what they liked best, followed closely by Mass and music, with Eucharistic adoration and Catholic community and fellowship also among the favorites.
An attendee from Seward, Nebraska, described being brought to tears several times while “being drawn near to Jesus.”
For an attendee from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the weekend inspired what comes next: “After experiencing this conference, I feel invigorated to renew my prayer life and motivated to practice discipleship more openly in my daily life.”
Young Catholics answer the call
The energy was evident among the high school and college students gathered for Christ Our Life.
A record number participated in the special Saturday student track, with registration reaching 568, nearly quadrupling from 2024. Some parishes brought busloads of confirmation students, giving young Catholics an opportunity to experience their faith alongside hundreds of their peers and thousands of Catholics from across Iowa and beyond.
A first-time attendee from Waukee, Iowa, who serves as a youth minister, said the conference “far surpassed my every expectation.” The attendee said the students especially enjoyed the youth breakout and Mass, adding that the experience felt like “heaven met small-town Iowa.”
Iowa united around the Eucharist
One of the weekend’s most memorable moments came Saturday evening as a statewide Eucharistic project organized by high school senior Sam Lange culminated at Christ Our Life.
Throughout 2026, Lange worked with Iowa’s four Catholic dioceses on Eucharistic processions. Each diocese received a large wooden puzzle piece representing its geographic area. The pieces accompanied the processions and were blessed by Iowa’s bishops before being brought together at Christ Our Life. Assembled, they formed the shape of Iowa, symbolizing Catholics across the state united under the Eucharistic Lord.
Rain also became an unexpected part of the journey.
Lange told conference attendees that it had rained at each Eucharistic procession in Iowa’s four dioceses. Rain fell again as the puzzle pieces were brought to the conference in Des Moines.
Then, as the statewide journey culminated at Christ Our Life, the rain stopped. Rays of sunlight broke through the clouds as the sun set, a beautiful ending to a journey centered on Christ in the Eucharist and a moment that felt like a gift from God.
Carrying Christ beyond the conference
The weekend ended Sunday, Sept. 27, but its message was meant to travel home with everyone who attended.
“I think this conference is amazing,” shared an attendee from Chariton, Iowa. “I find it inspiring, fun, and best of all, it called me to more. More evangelization, more prayer, more forgiveness, more trust, more love.”
An attendee from Johnston, Iowa, expressed a similar call, saying the speakers challenged participants to “live out the faith more in our lives, not just talk about it.”
The challenge now is to carry that renewed faith forward: Spend more time in prayer and Eucharistic adoration. Receive the sacraments regularly. Learn more about the Catholic faith. Invite someone to Mass. Share Christ more openly with family, friends, coworkers and neighbors.
And invite someone to experience Christ Our Life with you next time.
Mark Sept. 23-24, 2028, on your calendar for the next Christ Our Life Catholic Conference.
Learn more at ChristOurLifeIowa.com.