Father John Corapi, a priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, will lead a pre-Lenten daytime retreat, "Journey Into Truth," at Hylton Memorial Chapel in Woodbridge on Feb. 1 and 2. He will concentrate on three pillars of Catholicism: the Eucharist, the Blessed Mother, and the Magisterium of the Church.

Well-known for his retreat ministry, Father Corapi also hosts an hour-long series on the faith three times a week on Mother Angelica's Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).

"He has a dynamic delivery," said Bill Germann, who with wife Mairanne, is organizing the event. They are members of Our Lady of Angels Parish in Woodbridge, which is sponsoring the retreat. About two years ago, the Germanns attended a weekend parish mission retreat led by Father Corapi in St. Louis, Mo., the area in which they were living at the time.

Bill said it was an uplifting experience. "His lectures were inspirational and struck home for me during a time when I was just waking up to the richness of the Catholic faith and all of its truths," he said, crediting Father Corapi as the primary reason he has grown spiritually since.

Father Corapi was a late vocation to the priesthood. Prior to entering religious life, in striving to be secularly successful, he was an athlete, a soldier and a millionaire businessman. But he still did not feel fulfilled, he said. Meriting the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for leading him in his conversion process, he prayed his mother’s rosary daily.

Following a series of trials, Father Corapi felt the clear call to the priesthood. After 11 years as a religious and earning four university degrees, including a doctorate in sacred Theology, he was ordained by Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome in 1991.

Though he was drawn to the contemplative life, Father Corapi’s superiors had also discerned that he possesses the gift of "apostolic preaching," powerfully teaching the truths of Catholicism with authority and clarity. H resides in his hermitage when he is not preaching retreats at conferences and parishes throughout the country.

Currently living in the Diocese of Sacramento, Calif., Father Corapi recently served as the director of the diocesan Office of Catholic Faith Formation and as the director of the Bishop’s Special Project on the Catechism.

The Germanns hope that enough people will attend the upcoming retreat to fill the 4,000-seat Chapel to capacity.

"Marianne and I decided to bring his story and message to our parish and, in the process, thought we would make it available to Catholics in the entire region," said Bill.

Hylton Memorial Chapel is located at 14640 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge. For information and admission fee go to www.olacc.org or call Bill or Marianne Germann at 703/897-7061.