New York Encounter (the “Encounter”) is an annual three-day public cultural event in the heart of New York City that consists of talks, exhibits, and shows. All the events are free of charge and open to the public.

Each year, the Encounter attracts thousands of people of various traditions and cultures, all seeking reciprocal understanding, mutual building, and true friendship, and all are interested in meaningful discussions on a vast array of topics, including science, education, politics, art, society, economics, and religion. 400+ volunteers support the Encounter. Among them, there are many young people from all over the United States and Canada who gratuitously give their time.

Thus, the Encounter aims to witness the new life and knowledge generated by faith, following Pope Benedict XVI’s claim that “the intelligence of faith has to become the intelligence of reality.”

In pursuit of this goal—and according to St. Paul’s suggestion to “test everything and retain what is good”—the Encounter strives to discover, affirm, and offer to everyone truly human expressions of the desire for truth, beauty, and justice.

“New York City needs your example. New York City needs this Encounter. So does, by the way, the world. So does the Church. So, as a matter of fact, do I. Not only are you welcome, not only am I grateful – but please keep it up”.

— Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York
 New York Encounter, February 2023

FROM SOME OF THE SPEAKERS:

“It was really delightful to be at the Encounter; thank you for inviting me. I think you’ve got something special going there, and the numbers and the joy of the people showed it. May it continue to prosper.”
Austen Ivereigh

“I wanted to thank you for inviting me to speak at New York Encounter. This was my first New York Encounter event, and I fell in love. I thought this was going to be another conference, and boy was I wrong—and wrong in the best way possible. The community — what you’ve created: it’s all so beautiful, so deep, so full of grace. I feel honored to have taken a part in it. Being with your community last weekend reminded me why I was so drawn to Catholicism in the first place. I’m not exactly sure if I can put
the feeling into words, but I think it has something to do with longing. I very much hope to come back to another one of your events, and will certainly plan on keeping in touch with the beautiful souls I met that weekend.”
Emily Esfahani Smith

“I much enjoyed my time with you on Sunday, during the conversation and walking around a bit. Yes, I received a little myself, and NY Encounter is clearly a joyous organization, so feel free to keep me updated.”
Richard Thomas

“Thank you so much for the invitation! It was, I can say, one of the more transformative experiences of my life. I intend to come back again and eagerly await next year’s dates!”
Jon Balsbaugh

“Please accept our deepest thanks for allowing us to be part of this year’s New York Encounter. Everything seems a bit hollow now, following that experience. What beautiful people were there, including the little ones, and all those young couples. But, really, everyone, so that even the marginalized–bent over and defeated or swearing into the winter air along 6th Avenue we saw on the streets were lifted up by what we encountered at the Pavilion. There is so much to thank you all for–Letizia especially, who guided us about with a smile matched only by Dante’s Beatrice…and Rita and Andreas and Mattia and Paolo and their families, and so many of the speakers and witnesses to a living, dynamic, Christ-heightened faith….thank you, thank you.”

Paul Mariani

From Catholic News Agency

By Zelda Caldwell
CNA Staff, Feb 14, 2024 / 13:15 pm

“Ultimately, the New York Encounter is just that, it’s an encounter — an event that changes you,” said Holly Peterson, an educator with the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, who helped to organize the annual three-day cultural festival taking place in New York City this weekend.

“Speaking from experience, I always come home from the New York Encounter happier than when I went. Not because I’m rested or saw New York, but because my heart has been renewed, Peterson told CNA. The New York Encounter, is a Catholic event unlike any other.”

John Touhey 2/15/24 Aleteia website

“The New York Encounter began 15 years ago among a small group of friends who were interested in learning what faith had to do with everyday life. Having participated in past Encounters, I can say that they event has grown considerably in size over the years. Despite the large crowds that now attend the annual gathering, it remains foremost a place of personal encounters. Participants, attendees, and volunteers mingle freely and often discuss the biggest questions of life onstage or over a cup of espresso.”

New York Encounter Makes a Place for Itself by John Woods from Catholic New York January 27, 2011

“What I heard in my short visit left me wishing I could have spent more time at New York Encounter. That morning, Mass was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Fernando Chomali of Santiago, Chile, with about a dozen priests from across the United States serving as concelebrants. They were joined by the Gospel choir from St. Charles Borromeo parish in Harlem.”

I have been attending The New York Encounter for many years now. It never disappoints. Let me introduce myself, I love the Catholic Church and the message of Divine Mercy. I have a degree in Theology from St. John’s University, and am currently studying with St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry for a Certificate in Evangelization. I am also a graduate of the International Guide Academy and have worked for Education First as a tour guide. I am a licensed tour guide for both New York City and Washington DC. I have organized trips to Lourdes, Our Lady of Walsingham, Our Lady of Knock, Our Lady of Czestochowa, the Swiss Alps, and Catholic shrines all around the United States.

A father of three and recently retired from teaching in New York City, my life is now in part, devoted to bringing people to Catholic shrines, churches and events.

I want to offer your group a package trip to this amazing event. See the flyer attached. We have 11 seats available in the van. A priest or group leader can come at no cost.

I am organizing a trip to New York Encounter 2025! 3 days and 2 nights for $430! This includes accommodations at the Leo House, and roundtrip travel to and from the event, with a licensed NYC guide available at all times.

Check these websites for further information:
New York Encounter YouTube station: https://www.youtube.com/c/NewYorkEncounter New York Encounter website: https://www.newyorkencounter.org/
Our Catholic accommodation: The Leo House
https://theleohouse.com/
My website Another Way:
https://experienceanotherway.com/

Thank you and God bless you! James Carmody
203 375 3552-H
203 685-6277-C