The Theology of the Body was established from a series of 129 Wednesday audiences Pope John Paul II delivered between 1979 and 1984. The basis of the pope’s teachings are that the physical human body has a particular meaning, according to the Gospels, and has the potential to reveal fundamental answers regarding humanity and our lives within marriage and celibacy.

West was quick to point out that his seminar, an introduction to the pope’s Theology of the Body, is not a teen chastity talk, although nobody would be offended by the material. West described himself simply as an “adult ed” guy, and gears his talks to mature teenagers and adults who are seeking the truth.

West, a research fellow and faculty member of the Theology of the Body Institute in the United States, has given more than 1,000 lectures on four continents and has written several books, three of which have become Catholic best sellers. West recommends that any newcomers to his talks read Theology of the Body for Beginners to help them prepare for the October conference.

Giving presentations about the Theology of the Body for many years has helped him to refine his explanations, he said.

“It’s very easy to stay within the realms of academic theology and never come up against the questions of normal men and women sitting in the pews,” he said. “What has helped me most is knocking up against the lives and experiences and questions of real people over the last 15 years that I’ve been teaching this message.”

He said the approaching seminar could be summarized by the words of the Bruce Springsteen hit “Everybody’s got a hungry heart” and Catholic hymn lyrics “You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat.”
“The frame of reference for our quest for love is the mystery of sexuality, the quest for human love and human love is the plane on which we discover divine love,” he said. “God’s plan for sexuality reveals, if we understand it properly, His ultimate plan for the universe and that’s what we’re going to be exploring.”

Rose Heron, a member of the organizing committee, said Pope John Paul II’s teachings on sexuality are very important, as it was one of the first topics he spoke about in his weekly audiences. Understanding those teachings are crucial in today’s hyper-sexualized society, she said.

“We chose Christopher West because we know he has a personable way of reaching people that isn’t fire and brimstone, but is completely in line with Catholic teaching,” Heron said.

To register for the conference, call the Natural Family Planning Association office at (416) 481-5465 or e-mail stbreg@gmail.com.

The conference will also include Mass celebrated by Archbishop Thomas Collins Oct. 17.