Nonisi Dlamini, Marriage and Family Life Desk, Archdiocese of Johannesburg -The Totus Tuus Catholic Women’s Conference celebrated a significant milestone this October, marking ten years of bringing women together in faith, fellowship and a deeper understanding of their God-given identity and purpose.
To mark its tenth anniversary, the conference expanded into a two-day gathering on 24 and 25 October, hosted at St Jerome’s Croatian Catholic Church. The beautiful setting provided a fitting space for both a day of inspiration and a day of prayerful reflection and retreat.
This year’s theme was drawn from Romans 8:28: “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” These words served as a reminder that God is at work in every season of our lives, inviting us to trust in His plan and recognise the good He can bring from every circumstance.
A celebration of faith and inspiration
The first day began with Holy Mass celebrated by Fr Maren Dašek, followed by praise and worship led by Thuso, Wa Sibini who has journeyed with the conference over the past decade as both a musician and speaker. A special welcome address from Cardinal Brislin, recorded for the occasion, added to the significance of the anniversary celebration.
Throughout the day, six speakers shared reflections and insights that encouraged the women to embrace their faith with joy, purpose and renewed confidence. A special addition to this year’s programme was Fr Solomon Mphela, who reflected on the simplicity of St Francis and the practical ways in which we can incorporate these values into our daily lives, particularly in a year dedicated to the saint.
The atmosphere was one of warmth, laughter, encouragement and sisterhood. The women also received special gifts in their goodie bags, including handcrafted items lovingly prepared by members of the working committee.
A day of retreat and recollection
The second day offered a different rhythm, inviting the women to step away from the busyness of everyday life and spend time in prayer, reflection and renewal.
The day began with Holy Mass, followed by the Rosary in the church grotto. The women were also blessed with a special virtual address by Auxiliary Bishop Masilo John Selemela.
Further reflections included a presentation on St John Paul II’s Letter to Women and the gift of feminine genius, as well as an address by Msgr Simon Donnelly on safeguarding the human person in an age of artificial intelligence.
The programme also included a creative art session facilitated by Donelle Smith, inspired by the beautiful truth that we are created in love by God the Father. Each participant was invited to engage with this theme through art, creating a personal piece to take home as a gift from the Totus Tuus team.
Across both days, the garden hosted a variety of stalls offering Catholic resources, books, religious art and thoughtful gifting options, providing an opportunity for fellowship and discovery during the lunch breaks.
About Totus Tuus
Inspired by the Theology of the Body of Pope St John Paul II, the Totus Tuus Women’s Conference was founded by Andrina de Gouveia under the Foundation for the Person and the Family, a Catholic non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and teaching Theology of the Body in schools and parishes, as well as through retreats and formation programmes.
Totus Tuus means “Totally Yours” and is a reminder of our call to surrender ourselves completely to God. It speaks of our identity as beloved daughters of the Father and the beautiful truth that we belong to Him.
St John Paul II encouraged women to recognise and embrace their feminine genius: the unique gifts and qualities through which women can enrich their families, communities and the world. The conference seeks to bring this message to life, encouraging women to recognise their God-given dignity, discover their purpose and use their gifts in the places where God has called them.
With the many roles and responsibilities women carry in their homes, workplaces, educational institutions and communities, Totus Tuus offers a space to pause, reconnect with God and draw strength from the faith journeys of other women. At its heart, it is about building a community of women who encourage one another to grow in holiness and live out their faith with confidence and joy.
Each year, the conference selects patron saints to accompany and inspire the gathering. For this tenth anniversary, the chosen patrons were Saints Zélie and Louis Martin, the first married couple to be canonised together, and St Rafqa, a Lebanese Maronite nun whose relics were visiting Johannesburg over two weekends in October. Their lives offer beautiful examples of faith, family, perseverance, sacrifice and complete trust in God’s providence.
What began as an in-person gathering has continued to evolve over the years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference moved online in 2020 and 2021, allowing it to reach women in 26 cities across the world. This experience opened new possibilities for connection and evangelisation, demonstrating that even when we cannot gather physically, our shared faith can bring us together.
As Totus Tuus enters its second decade, there are exciting plans to extend its reach through a podcast launching in 2027, which will make the wealth of testimonies, reflections and talks from the conference accessible to even more women and families.
Ten years on, the heart of Totus Tuus remains unchanged: to remind women that they are loved by God, created with purpose and called to make a difference through the gifts He has entrusted to them.
A heartfelt thank you goes to all the women who have supported, participated in and journeyed with Totus Tuus over the past decade, as well as to the dedicated working committee whose generosity and commitment make each gathering possible.
As we look towards 2027 and the next chapter of this journey, may our good Lord continue to guide us, and may the example and intercession of St John Paul II inspire us to live our feminine genius with courage, grace and love.
Totus Tuus, Maria. Totus Tuus, O Lord.
- Totus Tuus Women’s Conference Marks 10 Years of Faith and Fellowship - November 13, 2026
- Fr Enrico Parry Appointed Bishop of Keimoes-Upington - November 12, 2026
- Sipuka: Make Synodality a Way of Life - November 12, 2026
