A group of four teenagers from Cristo Rey Parish in Florence, Kentucky, attended the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis for the first time. The teens were struck by the large number of young Catholics at the event, which was equal to half the population of their hometown. Henry Cruz, a high school freshman, described the environment as filled with energy and the presence of God. This was the first time Cristo Rey Parish had sent a group to the youth-focused event since its founding in 2004.
19 days ago
A group of four high school teens from Cristo Rey Parish in Florence, Kentucky—Henry Cruz, Joseph Barragan, Brian Domingo-Simon, and Alan Orozco—attended the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis for the first time from November 20-22, 2025.1
This Hispanic faith community, founded in 2004 in the Diocese of Covington, sent the youths based on their parish service, with costs covered by parish funds and diocesan scholarships.1
Chaperone Maricela Cruz, Henry's mother and a confirmand formation leader, emphasized the value of exposing the teens to the universal church beyond their local community.1
Upon arriving at the Indiana Convention Center, the teens were struck by the 16,000 participants, a number equaling half their hometown's population.1
Henry Cruz described the atmosphere as "pretty exciting" and filled with energy, noting a palpable sense of God's presence.1
Alan Orozco, a high school junior, called it "a big opportunity" and a blessing to participate.1
Pope Leo XIV's live digital address on November 21 in Lucas Oil Stadium resonated deeply, as he urged youths to see themselves as the "church of now" rather than just the future.1
Henry recalled this message as particularly impactful, shifting his perspective on youth's role in the church.1
The evening adoration with 16,000 peers, held close to the monstrance, moved Brian to feel "embraced by Jesus and his love," while Henry sensed something uniquely special compared to prior experiences.1
The music performance during adoration united attendees in praise, with Alan appreciating the sight of youths "jumping, singing their hearts out to the Lord."1
Joseph found freedom in singing without judgment, as others joined in adoration.1
The teens also formed connections, trading bracelets and discussing their parishes with participants from across the country.1
Reflecting on the event's theme "I AM/Yo Soy," the youths crafted personal statements: Henry as "I AM chosen," Brian as "I AM loved," Alan as "I AM Jesus Christ’s son," and Joseph as "I AM called."1
Joseph deemed it "the most amazing, best experience I ever had," calling it "really powerful, really beautiful."1
Parish administrator Father Roberto Becerra Reyes hoped the trip would inspire spiritual growth and parish involvement upon their return.1
Inspired by NCYC, the teens aim to foster youth engagement at Cristo Rey.1
Joseph wants to help start a youth group to involve more young people.1
Henry echoed this, desiring to create a group for adoration, praise, and community building among the parish's younger members.1
Evaluate how NCYC fosters Catholic identity among youth
Catholic identity among youth refers to a deep, personal integration of faith into one's life, rooted in knowing Jesus Christ, participating in the sacraments, and living as a witness to the Gospel within the Church community. This identity is not merely cultural or nominal but involves a conscious commitment to the truths of the faith, as emphasized by successive popes who have urged the Church to prioritize evangelization and formation for young people. While specific details on the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) are not directly addressed in the provided Catholic sources, these documents—primarily papal addresses on youth ministry, education, and gatherings like World Youth Day—offer profound insights into how large-scale Catholic youth events foster this identity. By analogy, NCYC, as a biennial gathering organized by the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry in the United States, aligns with these principles through its focus on prayer, catechesis, and community building, though a full evaluation would require event-specific data.
Papal teachings consistently highlight that youth identity is forged through direct encounters with Christ, often facilitated by communal events that break isolation and ignite enthusiasm for the faith. For instance, Pope John Paul II, in his address to high school students in Madison Square Garden in 1979, described Catholic education and gatherings as vehicles for communicating Christ as "a friend: as someone who cares about you and the person next to you." He emphasized that such experiences help young people mature by reflecting Christ's attitude in daily decisions, fostering a sense of belonging to the Church as the Body of Christ. Similarly, in his 2002 homily at World Youth Day in Toronto, John Paul II encouraged youth to "bond as one in the communion of the Church," urging them not to be discouraged by scandals but to pursue holiness through prayer and sacraments, regardless of age. These gatherings, he noted, awaken hope and counter "nightmares of self-indulgence and loneliness," transforming participants into witnesses.
Applying this to NCYC, which typically features keynote speakers, Masses, adoration, and workshops on topics like social justice and vocational discernment, the conference mirrors World Youth Day by creating "moments of special intensity" that Pope John Paul II described in his 1993 ad limina address to U.S. bishops as essential for accompanying youth on their "pilgrimage of faith." Such events challenge young people to articulate faith in a secular world, promoting a unified Christian life where "actions speak louder than words." Without direct sources on NCYC, we can infer from these teachings that its emphasis on Eucharistic celebrations and reconciliation—core elements reported in NCYC programs—helps youth internalize Catholic identity by experiencing the Church's universality and the sacraments' transformative power.
A key mechanism for building Catholic identity is balanced formation that integrates intellectual rigor with spiritual depth, as outlined by Pope Benedict XVI in his 2012 ad limina address to U.S. bishops. He stressed that authentic education shapes hearts alongside minds, requiring "intellectual rigor in communicating... the richness of the Church’s faith" while cultivating prayer, moral life, and devotion. Catholic institutions must go beyond mere religious instruction to create "networks of support" that harmonize faith and reason, inspiring lifelong virtue. Pope John Paul II echoed this in his 1997 address to Scottish bishops, calling for youth ministry focused on the parish but supplemented by associations and movements that meet specific needs, such as retreats and federations. He noted young people's "spiritual hunger" and generosity when challenged by sound doctrine, sacraments, and solidarity with the marginalized.
NCYC's structure, with tracks on theology, leadership, and service, likely embodies this by offering catechetical sessions that address contemporary issues like moralistic therapeutic deism—a diluted faith form critiqued in studies referenced by Ralph Martin. Martin's analysis of declining sacramental participation and orthodox belief among U.S. Catholic youth underscores the crisis NCYC aims to counter, as evidenced by its goal to re-engage confirmed youth who often drift post-sacrament. By drawing from papal exhortations, such as Pope Francis's 2024 address to the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, which insists on proclaiming certainties like "God is love" and "Christ saves you" through Eucharist and service, NCYC fosters identity by helping youth experience the "living Christ," turning them into "convincing witnesses." The U.S. bishops' 2025 letter on Laudato Si' further reinforces this, calling youth to "make a ruckus" in ecological and social advocacy, bridging faith and action.
Despite these strengths, papal sources caution against superficial engagement. Pope John Paul II, in a 1993 speech at World Youth Day in Denver, warned against avoiding "fundamental questions" and urged commitment to truth amid secular allurements. He portrayed Christ as the "Good Shepherd" leading to abundant life, a theme NCYC echoes in its mission to empower youth as apostles. However, as Martin observes, without ongoing formation, events risk becoming rituals that end church involvement, with statistics showing sharp declines in baptisms and confirmations. Pope Benedict XVI highlighted the need for teachers who witness "sapientia Christiana," integrating faith into all life aspects, to prevent dissociation from family and community supports.
For NCYC, this implies success depends on follow-up: integrating conference experiences into parishes, as John Paul II advocated in his 2001 address to Roman youth, through after-school programs, cultural workshops, and proximity to the suffering. Pope Francis's emphasis on basic truths amid "bad news" like wars suggests NCYC's role in countering despair with hope. Opportunities abound in its diverse attendance, promoting tolerance and dialogue as in John Paul II's 1996 address to Sri Lankan bishops. Yet, without sources detailing NCYC's outcomes, evaluation remains general; empirical studies on attendance retention would clarify efficacy.
In summary, while direct sources on NCYC are absent, papal teachings illuminate how Catholic youth conferences like it foster identity by facilitating Christ-centered encounters, doctrinal formation, and communal witness. These events awaken a vibrant faith, countering secular drift and equipping youth for evangelization, as seen in World Youth Day's fruits. To deepen impact, NCYC should prioritize sacramental life and ongoing support, aligning with the Church's urgent call to pass the "priceless treasure" of faith to the next generation. Ultimately, as John Paul II proclaimed, youth are the Church's hope when staked on Christ.