When exploring the revolutionary teachings of St John Paul II in his Theology of the Body (TOB), few would expect references to the film Titanic or the song “The Glory of Love.”
Yet popular-culture touchstones such as these are one method Dr Christopher West, president of the Theology of the Body (TOB) Institute in the United States and the foremost expert on the late saint’s writings, uses to reveal the timeless wonder, wisdom, and truth to his captivated audience.
Over five days, Dr West combined his rich theological knowledge of the subject with music, video, song, and art to lead more than 100 participants through a five-day course called “Head and Heart Immersion” on TOB.
In the picturesque surroundings of St Benedict XVI Retreat Centre, the course, running from 18–23 January, saw the return of Dr West after a two-year absence. Organised by the Life, Marriage and Family team within the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation, his visit was the first of the SCE’s major planned events for 2026.
It was a victorious return which attracted attendees from across the country and even overseas.
Twenty-year-old Isaiah Peterson attended from Iowa in the United States. “I travelled about 9,000 miles to get here, and it’s just been heart-expanding and mind-blowing. It’s been a wonderful experience of community and deeper self-knowledge,” he said.
“It’s like drinking from a fire hydrant, because there’s so much information, but the way he unpacks it is so relatable,” said Sanchez Gogerly, who travelled from Melbourne to attend.
“He has such a gift for teaching,” said Selena Pham, from Horsley Park, who attended with her husband, Andrew.
“It’s for everybody, but especially in the vocation of marriage, hearing him unpack these truths has been a treasure to experience together.”
The Catholic Weekly visited while Dr West unpacked the themes of Ephesians Chapter 5, specifically the theme of imitating God’s sacrificial example. In his own unique style, West referenced both the ‘Titanic’ film of 1997 and the 1995 film ‘Braveheart’, touching on the heroic, self-sacrificing figure of Mel Gibson’s character, William Wallace.
The audience then joined in as Dr West began singing “Glory of Love” by Peter Cetera from the “Karate Kid” sequel — “I am a man who will fight for your honour” rang throughout the Cardinal Pell Hall, as the conversation shifted to broader cultural themes of sacrifice and heroism in movies, music, and literature. It was captivating, illuminating and entertaining.
“You can absolutely feel the Holy Spirit working through him,” said family educator Erin Gillard from Gymea. “Because if anyone else were to deliver this, it wouldn’t sink in, but that’s his gift.”
Erin believes the course’s five-day length allowed Dr West to gradually unpack the sometimes-dense layers of truth, giving participants like her time to absorb and understand them more deeply and personally.
“The things that he’s saying today he couldn’t possibly have said to us on Sunday or Monday. But we’ve been able to fully engage with the beautiful teachings,” she said.
While Vivian Mourani, from Sydney Catholic Schools, was missing her five children, she believes she’ll return with greater gifts to impart to her family because of the fruits she’s received.
“I feel like I’m walking away with an appreciation of my marriage and my family, about love and Jesus’s love for us, and the importance of looking at people with God’s love and seeing God through them.”
Mass, adoration, and confession were also made available for participants over the five days, with the invaluable pastoral care of the course chaplain, Fr Daniele Russo.
“It’s been the greatest gift to have had this time to be immersed in this beautiful, beautiful teaching,” said Allison Khalil.
“You wonder, am I smart enough to absorb this deep theological teaching? But he’s a genius in the way he can explain the work, the humorous side of it, the musical side of it, and the artistic side of it. It’s made it an absolute pleasure to learn from him.”
Hazel Lim, Mission Manager in SCE, expressed her joy and gratitude to Dr West, the TOB Institute and all those who attended.
“Having ‘spiritual open-heart surgery’ was the perfect way to start the year, allowing Christ to heal and transform our hearts for love anew,” she said.
