PHILADELPHIA, PA (Christian Newswire) -- The Theology of the Body Institute announces the first annual National Theology of the Body Congress -- what organizers hope will be the most expansive gathering of Theology of the Body experts and enthusiasts ever assembled.

The Congress will be held at Normandy Farm Hotel and Conference Center outside Philadelphia from July 28- 30, 2010 with the theme "Receiving and Proclaiming the Gift." Registration is now open at www.TOBcongress.com.

"The National Theology of the Body Congress provides an opportunity for individuals from all walks of life -- clergy, religious and laity -- to come together to share their tremendous passion for the Catholic Church and Pope John Paul II's beautiful teaching of Theology of the Body," said Maria Stumpf, Director of Operations and Programs at the Theology of the Body Institute.

"During these three days, attendees will have the opportunity to 'receive' the gift of the teaching from an outstanding assembly of speakers, as well as receive practical tips on how they might 'proclaim' this gift in their own communities and corners of the globe."

This unprecedented three-day event will gather the foremost educators, authors and speakers on Theology of the Body in one place to take part in more than 35 talks including keynote addresses, educational workshops, roundtable discussions, expert panels and seminars as well as networking opportunities with key Theology of the Body leaders, catechists, Church leaders and teachers from around the country.

Featured speakers include: Justin Cardinal Rigali, Fr. Richard Hogan, Dr. Michael Waldstein, Fr. Brian Bransfield, Dr. Janet Smith, Helen Alvare, Christopher West and many more.

The Venerable Pope John Paul II devoted the first major teaching project of his pontificate -- 129 short talks between September of 1979 and November of 1984 -- to providing a profoundly beautiful vision of human embodiment and erotic love. He gave this project the working title "Theology of the Body."

In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI declared that the "rich patrimony" of John Paul II's teaching "has not yet been assimilated by the Church. My personal mission is not to issue many new documents, but to ensure that his documents are assimilated."