A Christian music concert, a light show, icebreakers, a service project, spiritual talks, Eucharistic Adoration and Mass with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. These anticipated activities and more inspired nearly 1,000 teens, advisors and chaperones to brave the area’s recent arctic blast for what is hands-down one of the most exciting and hopeful events of the year — the Diocesan Youth Conference.
We held back publication of this month’s magazine by a few days to bring you special coverage of this extraordinary event without delay. The new cover begins to tell the story of the exuberance and engagement that defined this year’s DYC experience. Coverage begins on page 12 and more photos and video can be found on TrentonMonitor.com.
Bishop O’Connell shares several messages in this issue, including “A pastoral word to our Haitian brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Trenton”; “Love that endures: The witness and mission of Catholic marriage,” and “Consecrated life: A light of revelation.” You also want to check out the photos and brief story about the friendly meeting between Bishop O’Connell and Bruce Springsteen. (See page 11.)
Readers will also find in this February issue the wrap-up of Catholic Schools Week 2026 (begins on page 46); an overview of the Annual Catholic Appeal as it launched in our parishes (begins on page 26), and Lenten instructions and inspiration from Bishop O’Connell (begins on page 34).
We hope you will look for the recap of pro-life events and activities, both locally and in Washington (begins on page 20); as well as a national appeal for parishes to hold Holy Hours for Peace in light of the violence and tragedy that have unfolded in some of our cities surrounding immigration enforcement (begins on page 16).
There is lots more news from the Church, the Diocese and our local parish communities, along with the latest installments from our insightful columnists.
We encourage you to spend some dedicated time with this magazine issue and all the content we have prepared for you.
The February issue has been sent to the mailboxes and inboxes of our subscribers. Not yet a subscriber? Sign up today safely and conveniently by clicking HERE or writing to Monitor-Subscriptions@DioceseofTrenton.org. Or call our Business Desk at (609) 403-7169 for assistance.
We are keeping our readers in prayer as we look ahead to the start of an Lent!
Rayanne Bennet
Associate Publisher
And The Monitor team