The National Catholic Prayer Breakfast (NCPB) was established in 2004 in response to Saint John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization. Each year, over 1,500 people gather in our nation’s capital to pray for our country. In 2020, the event was held virtually due to the COVID pandemic. An impressive list of speakers highlights a program that attracts lay and religious leaders, national figures, Catholic apostolates, and guests from various sectors and backgrounds. The event is non-partisan, and anyone is welcome to attend. Several side events are offered each year to further enhance the spirit of the gathering.

2025 HOST COMMITTEE

Maria Sophia Aquirre, Catholic International University
Scott Bloch, Thomas More College
Mary Ellen Bork
Sr. Dede Byrne, Mother Superior of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts
Jeff Cavins
Alessandro DiSanto, Hallow
George Harne, Christendom College
Mary Hasson, Ethics & Public Policy Center
The Honorable French Hill
Russell Hittinger, Institute for Human Ecology
The Honorable Dan Lipinski
Steve Minnis, Benedictine College
Rev. Dave Pivonka, TOR, Franciscan University of Steubenville
JJ Sanford, University of Dallas
Nina Shea, Hudson Institute’s Center for Religious Freedom
Rev. Charles Sikorsky, Divine Mercy University
Carter Snead, University of Notre Dame Law School
William Thierfelder, Belmont Abbey College
Kyle Washut, Wyoming Catholic College

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joseph Cella – (Founder and Director) Principal, The Pontifex Group
Maureen Ferguson – (Director) Commissioner, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
Arina Grossu – (Director) Founder and Principal, Areté Global Consulting, LLC
Jacqueline Halbig von Schleppenbach – (Director) Principal, Sovereign Global Solutions, LLC
Leonard Leo – (President) Co-Chairman, The Federalist Society
John Meyer – (Director) Executive Director, Church Properties Initiative, Notre Dame Law School 
Mark Randall – (Director & Event Chairman) Executive Director, The Pontifical North American College
Tim Saccoccia – (Treasurer) Assistant Supreme Secretary and VP for Public Policy, Knights of Columbus
William Saunders – (Director) Law Fellow and Director of the Program in Human Rights, Institute for Human Ecology, Catholic University of America

FOUNDERS CIRCLE

Ambassador Jim Nicholson
Ambassador Thomas Melady*
Austin Ruse
Bill Saunders
Bowie Kuhn*
Frank Hanna
Gerry Giblin
Jacqueline Halbig von Schleppenbach
Joseph Cella
Leonard Leo
Mary Ellen Bork
Pat Cipollone
Rev. Richard John Neuhaus*
Senator Rick Santorum

*deceased
(Affiliations listed are for identification purposes only.)