Napa Institute Summer Conference 2024 to focus on “What it Means to be Human”

The 14th annual Napa Institute Summer Conference will be held at The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, California, from July 24 to 28, 2024. The annual event features presentations by prominent Catholic speakers, daily Mass, Confession and devotional activities (including an Adoration chapel), fine food and wine, and opportunities to network with like-minded Catholics.

According to event organizers, the annual conference “brings together some of the world’s most prominent Catholic and Christian thinkers each year to engage, encourage and inspire participants who gather from every corner of the country and around the world.”

Catholic World Report spoke with Tim Busch, chairman of the board and co-founder of the Napa Institute, about the event.

CWR: Who are some of your featured speakers in 2024?

Tim Busch: We have a great lineup of speakers this year. Our theme is “What it Means to be Human”; we are exploring the philosophical and theological ideas about who we are, branching out to our relationships with one another and our calling in society and culture.

Msgr. James Shea, president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, opens our conference; he speaks powerfully about how we’ve moved from Christendom to apostolic mission. Theologian and historian Carl Trueman will speak about the hunger for truth. Dr. Andrew Abela and Mary Hasson will address virtue and our beautiful design as men and women. Other speakers of note include Ryan Anderson, Fr. Roger Landry, Noelle Mering, and Mene Ukueberuwa.

This year, we are also featuring shorter talks by “rising star” Catholic speakers who are making an impact. They’ll give you hope about the next generation of leaders who are able to move minds and hearts, destined one day to take the standard from those of us who are older.

And, our breakout speakers will add a powerful element to each day; many of these are headliners and groups doing fabulous work. There are reasons for hope everywhere.

CWR: How many participants do you expect this year?

Tim Busch: We expect more than 800 to turn out, comparable to our attendance in 2023. But it’s not so much a matter of selling out, but considering how best to keep the conference running smoothly while maintaining the level of hospitality that is our standard. We want every attendee to feel that he or she is seen and cared for.

As we have grown, we’ve also thought hard about how to keep a feel of ease, comfort and fraternity. We want people to get to know one another without feeling overwhelmed. There are, of course, some limitations on the number of accommodations at the Meritage and surrounding hotels. So, in that sense, for those who want to stay close to where the action is, there is a limit and those rooms do go pretty fast. People shouldn’t wait to register.

CWR: What are some of the highlights of the meals and wines at the event?

Tim Busch: Napa Institute is about hospitality. The atmosphere, food, and wine all need to be amazing so that people enjoy themselves and can talk in comfort about the great speakers from which they have just heard. This is meant to be a mental and physical retreat that makes conversation and communion easier. The food is outstanding, provided by the wonderful staff at the Meritage Resort. We have themed dinners—this year, there will be an Italian night, and night in the Big Apple, for instance. Seating most nights is open, so one day you may be sitting next to a great group of priests or religious sisters, and the next day you may be discussing the faith with an apostolate leader or benefactor of amazing works within the Church. You never know, we let the Holy Spirit orchestrate that to a large extent. We hear more and more about how people are making this a destination trip with friends—a chance to come with like-minded people to be immersed and have a great time together. It’s an oasis in their busy lives to learn, connect and refresh. They look forward to it every year. I don’t know of anything else like it.

We feature award-winning wines throughout the conference from Trinitas Cellars. It’s the winery that our family has been shepherding since 2002. We are known for our Chardonnay and Cabernet crafted in the iconic California style. All of the wines are fabulous, however. One initiative we are proud of is our limited edition Marian line—Our Lady of Guadalupe (full-bodied red), Our Lady of Lourdes (Cabernet Sauvignon) and we have just introduced an Our Lady of Fatima label (Meritage red blend). Attendees will have a chance to purchase a gift set of these three. These are really great wines with beautiful labels that are really works of art. Trinitas has also produced wine that we have given to Pope Benedict XVI (red Zinfandel) and now Pope Francis (Cabernet Franc) which they have really enjoyed. We also offer an excursion for folks to see other wineries in the area, which are great side trips.

CWR: And what about the accommodations?

Tim Busch: There is nothing else like the true resort atmosphere of the Meritage in Napa. There are premier views of the surrounding hills and vineyards with on-site restaurants, a cave spa (which is really amazing, by the way), a bowling alley and a resort pool. Trinitas Cellars has a tasting room onsite. The resort just had a major renovation of common areas and rooms, so everything is refreshed and looking great.

The staff takes the care of our attendees seriously so you will meet smiling and helpful faces. We include a bottle of Trinitas wine in every room, rooms which have warm Tuscan-inspired interiors. The Meritage Resort has private patios and balconies overlooking the resort vineyards, and you can upgrade to suites with extra space, fireplaces, and kitchenettes.

CWR: What are some of the sacramental and spiritual aspects of the conference?

Tim Busch: Napa Institute is built on three pillars—formation, liturgy, and community. We take liturgy and the sacramental life seriously. We have a Eucharistic procession around the resort, which is increasingly important. We need to let Jesus—body, blood, soul, and divinity—be at the head of all we do as Catholics. He leads the way.

The Eucharistic procession we hosted in downtown Manhattan last year led by Fr. Michael Schmitz demonstrated the power of the procession. But we don’t need a big stage for Jesus to make an outsized impact on human hearts. There are regular Masses each day in the Cave, which is a truly beautiful place. Often cardinals and bishops will preside.

Our Lady of the Grapes Chapel, which is permanently in place at the Meritage Resort, will host many other Masses throughout the day. We have many priests in attendance, so there’s no excuse for missing daily Mass during the conference. Confession and spiritual direction will also be readily available. We will have adoration throughout the week. We have priests and religious attending who are dedicated to all of this during the conference.

A person can’t really do anything well unless he is well-disposed, and in right relationship with God. So, in addition to being intellectually edified, we want our attendees to have the tools of the faith at their fingertips. Everything resonates more deeply with our souls when we care for them properly. And, the food and fraternity mean more when we take that approach!

CWR: What opportunities will there be to socialize and meet other like-minded Catholics?

Tim Busch: The Holy Spirit really does all the work in bringing people together. There are opportunities to meet authentic Catholics who are striving to live the faith and grow spiritually each day. You will meet wonderful priests and bishops who love Jesus Christ and take seriously their call to shepherd souls. Dozens of apostolates come to the conference and you can’t help but be moved by how many lay people are giving their lives to build up some aspect of the Faith and society.

CWR: Who should go to this conference?

Tim Busch: We welcome anyone who wants to take a break from the stresses of daily life to recharge with great content/speakers, spiritual refreshment, wonderful hospitality and amazing people. I would also especially welcome apostolate leaders, clergy, and religious. Once you attend, you’ll want to come back each year. The Napa Institute is not a membership organization, but a unique opportunity to draw many people to grow in holiness and communion with one another. We hope each person leaves ready to deepen their work in the vineyard of the Lord.

CWR: What else would you like to share?

Tim Busch: One initiative that we’ve promoted this year is “Bring your priest to Napa.” We want parishioners to consider sponsoring their parish priest. Priests receive discounted registration, but may not otherwise attend unless they receive additional support. The Napa Institute provides support for priests in many ways throughout the year—especially for priests under the age 40 to stay strong in their vocations. If you want quality time with your pastor, this is a great chance to deepen the relationship.

• Click here for additional information on and to register for the 14th annual Napa Institute Summer Conference.