2nd International Congress
"Discover marriage" - as a sacrament
The second edition of the congress offered even more inspiring talks and workshops, welcoming participants from across the globe.
Speakers
Fr. Prof. Luca Pedroli
A presbyter of the Diocese of Vigevano and spiritual director at a pontifical college in Rome. Professor at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, where he teaches Biblical Greek and the writings of St John. He also teaches the theology of the sacrament of marriage at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. Author of numerous publications in the field of biblical anthropology.
Dr. Marco and Romina Manali
Married for 22 years and parents of two adult daughters, they are actively involved in formation work within the Misterogrande project. Marco holds a PhD in theology, while Romina works with children and young people. Their experience blends theory and practice in service of marriage and family life.
Fr. Dr. Grzegorz Strzelczyk
Pastor, lecturer, and author of books on marriage. A priest of the Diocese of Katowice for 25 years. He holds a doctorate in moral theology and is the author of popular religious books. Since 2023, he has been responsible for the ongoing formation of priests in the Archdiocese of Katowice.
Piotr and Iwona Wołkow
Married for over 25 years, they are adoptive parents of Franek and Nina. They are involved in marriage preparation courses, parish life, the “Water of Life” Community, and the Misterogrande Project. They show that everyday challenges do not prevent them from sharing the graces that flow from the sacrament of marriage.
Fr. Marcin Kąkol
A presbyter of the Archdiocese of Gniezno, involved in ministry to married couples from the very beginning. He encountered the sacrament of marriage during his seminary formation. For many years, he has been engaged in working with couples in the parishes where he serves and in the Misterogrande Project.
Dominik and Monika Radziszowscy
Married for 25 years and parents of five children, they are part of the Domestic Church movement. As a couple, they draw deeply from the sacrament of marriage. They lead workshops, training sessions, and retreats on communication, godly finances, and raising children.
Conference materials
Day one - May 1, 2025
Welcome
Fr. Przemysław Kwiatkowski
Fr Przemysław Kwiatkowski welcomed all the participants of the Congress, introducing the theme of the sacramentality of marriage. Drawing on his many years of experience working with married couples, as well as his expertise in the theology of marriage, he outlined not only the main topic but also gave a glimpse of what the invited speakers would be sharing.
Old and New Testament about marriage
Fr. Prof. Luca Pedroli
Fr Luca Pedroli, a biblical scholar from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, presented the meaning of the sacrament of marriage in the light of the Old and New Testaments. He showed that a full understanding of the sacrament requires reference to the foreshadowing found in the books of the Old Testament. He began with the Book of Genesis, analysing passages that point to a new way in which God would relate to His people.
Testimony
Piotr and Iwona Wołkow
Iwona and Piotr Wołkow shared how God works in their lives through the sacrament of marriage. They have been married for over 25 years and are adoptive parents of Franek and Nina. They have faced many challenges, always finding strength in the Word of God.
Day two - May 2, 2025
What does the sacrament of marriage change in spouses?
Fr. Dr. Grzegorz Strzelczyk
A priest of the Diocese of Katowice, academic lecturer, columnist, and author of widely read books. Fr Strzelczyk set out to explain to the participants what the sacrament of marriage actually changes in the love between a man and a woman. One might often suspect that it changes very little — or nothing at all.
How does the sacrament of marriage change perspective in working with marriages?
Marco and Romina Manali
Based on what the biblical scholar said about the sacrament of marriage, spouses Marco and Romina from the Italian Misterogrande Project will tell about practical solutions in working with spouses. The sacrament of marriage changes the spouses themselves and the nature of working with them.
Panel discussion
Łukasz and Małgorzata Ferchmin
The invited guests took part in a panel discussion on the sacrament of marriage. The hosts, Małgorzata and Łukasz Ferchmin, had the opportunity to ask the speakers additional questions, expanding on certain topics and also passing on questions from the participants.
Day three - May 3, 2025
Testimony
Fr. Marcin Kąkol
Can a priest give testimony about the sacrament of marriage? It turns out he can — especially if he has been involved in ministry to married couples from the very beginning. Fr Marcin Kąkol, a presbyter of the Archdiocese of Gniezno, first encountered married couples during his seminary formation.
Testimony
Dominik and Monika Radziszowscy
Dominik and Monika Radziszowscy shared their experience of 25 years of marriage, parenting five children, and life within the Domestic Church movement, where they continue to grow as a family. As a couple who draw deeply from the sacrament of marriage, they lead workshops, training sessions, and retreats.
