Nobel Peace Prize nominee Sister Helen Prejean will speak on opening day of the Damien and Marianne Catholic Conference in October.

Prejean is author of the critically acclaimed 1993 book “Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States.” She will give a two-part keynote address titled “A Voice for Life.”

The conference pays homage to the spirituality and activism exemplified by St. Damien de Veuster and St. Marianne Cope, who were canonized for their selfless efforts in aiding Hansen’s disease patients in Kalaupapa, Molokai, a news release said.

Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva will open the conference with a welcome address, while Edward Sri and Jackie Francois Angel will speak that evening — culminating with a concert of youth bands and a showing of the locally produced, award-winning film “Yehuda.”

The conference is Oct. 20-22 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.

Conference organizers have lined up more than 50 talks by renowned local, national and international presenters, in addition to concerts, book signings, food, fellowship and liturgies. Designed to appeal particularly to youth, the conference was established in 2016 as a nonprofit Association of the Faithful under the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu, the release said.

Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi of Tonga is also scheduled to celebrate a Polynesian Mass and address the conference on the second day, Oct. 21.

Prejean will speak that morning on the book she is working on, “River of Fire,” a memoir of her journey to religious life and becoming a spiritual adviser to inmates on death row. Dozens of one-hour breakout sessions will be held on topics including marriage and family, sacraments and catechists, politics and social justice, reflections from members of St. Damien’s and St. Marianne’s religious orders, and miracles.

Visiting speakers include Paul Kim, a popular Catholic beatboxer licensed in marriage and family therapy; and Kate Mahoney of New York, whose cure from multiple organ failure was attributed to the intercession of Cope and paved the way for the Franciscan nun’s canonization, the release said.

The conference concludes Oct. 22 with a morning keynote talk by Mafi. Local performing arts programs will present a play on Kalaupapa. Relics of Sts. Damien and Marianne will be on site for veneration, and there will be opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Early registration is being accepted until July 31 at dmcchawaii.org, where a detailed schedule is available. Registration fees will be discounted until the end of the month, costing $75 for adults and $50 for youth. Adults who wish to attend only the Oct. 20 or 22 sessions can pay $35 for each day, and for youth, $25.