Young DOT delegates attend NCYC to encounter Pope Leo, unite with faithful peers

^“Filled with high energy and joy” is how Dan Waddington, diocesan director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, described the National Catholic Youth Conference, which he attended alongside 58 youth and youth ministers from the Diocese of Trenton.

The Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis were transformed Nov. 20-22 to include “powerful speakers, outstanding music and intentional prayer experiences,” Waddington attested, accommodating more than 16,000 participants in the annual conference themed “I Am” – an increase of about 3,000 from 2023.

The local contingent included young people and 15 adults from St. Joseph, Toms River; St. Joan of Arc, Marlton; St. Martha, Point Pleasant; St. James, Pennington; St. Aloysius, Jackson, and St. Isidore the Farmer, New Egypt. Parishes conducted independent fundraisers to help supplement the trip cost.

Pope Leo’s digital appearance and live interaction with the youth – a first for the conference – made a profound impression.

“The response to Pope Leo was tremendous!” Waddington said. “The Holy Father spoke to the young people – not just at NCYC, but [youth] of our country. It was a personal and authentic message created especially for [them] … he reminded them that they are the Church of the present and are needed to help shape the Church of the future.”

Father Stephen Sansevere, second from left, gets into the groove during the NCYC. Father Sansevere accompanied members of the youth group from St. James Parish, Pennington. Facebook photo

There was also “a very strong spirituality to the event, and at times it was very retreat-like,” encouraging attendees to “grow in their faith and their personal walk with the Lord,” Waddington continued.

That excitement, he said, stems from the way the conference engages young people in their faith “in a way that is truly relatable to their lived experience. … A young person can be outwardly proud of their relationship with Jesus and share that openly with so many peers around them without fear. That sense of unity, and not being alone in your faith, is a priceless takeaway.”

Local participants took the experience home with them, he said, “fired up both for their faith and their connection to who they are as Catholics.” This energy, Waddington pointed out, can be infused into their youth ministry programs and parish life.

There’s a sacrifice to attend NCYC, he said, but one that reaps rewards.

“Our young people need to embrace this experience as a pilgrimage,” Waddington said. “They miss class, need to fundraise to cover the expenses of the trip, travel on a bus 13 hours to get there … and missing sports and extracurricular activities.”

But that dedication, he continued, “can truly help a young person realize … there are many other young people who believe what they believe in and practice what they practice. This in itself is worth the trip as it can help fortify their faith and encourage them to continue to grow in it.”

The Church needs quality Catholic journalism now more than ever. Please consider supporting this work by signing up for a SUBSCRIPTION (click HERE) or making a DONATION to The Monitor (click HERE). Thank you for your support.