Young Catholics gather in Indianapolis for faith event

Author: Eli Pacheco

Date Published: December 03, 2025

Last week, Brothers Greg Gebbia, OFM, and Jacek Orzechowski, OFM, loaded a van with Siena University gear and traveled 250 miles to join 16,000 young Catholics for prayer, community and sharing Jesus’ message in St. Francis’ spirit. 

Held from Nov. 20 to 22 in Indianapolis, the National Catholic Youth Conference is the leading event of its kind in the United States, offering catechesis, evangelization and nurturing a strong sense of community. 

“We wanted to give kids a connection to Siena and its role in environmental studies within the Franciscan tradition,” said Br. Greg. Friars from the Charlotte ministry of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Brothers Casey Cole, OFM, Jason Damon, OFM, and Tito Serrano, OFM – also participated. Chris Rivera, the province’s new director of youth and young adult ministry, called the experience “deeply enriching.” 

The friars left hopeful about the Church's future and the Franciscan role in promoting faith. Br. Casey felt encouraged to see youths enthusiastic about their beliefs. 

“The energy in the room was palpable, brimming with hope for the future of the Church,” he said. “Experiences like this call people to something deeper, a sense of vocation for the life of the world. We left the conference excited for the fruit that this generation will bear.

Brothers Tito Serrano, OFM, and Jacek Orzechowski, OFM, connected with young Catholics with social media props and meaningful conversation. “I walked away with an edified feeling that these kids really are interested in us as friars and priests,” he said. (Photo courtesy of Br. Jacek)

Brothers Tito Serrano, OFM, and Jacek Orzechowski, OFM, connected with young Catholics with social media props and meaningful conversation. “I walked away with an edified feeling that these kids really are interested in us as friars and priests,” he said. (Photo courtesy of Br. Jacek)

Conversation about Franciscan life

Brothers Greg and Jacek staffed the Siena University booth for the Laudato Si' Center for Integral Ecology. A compelling moment for Br. Greg: seeing 16,000 young Catholics kneel and pray silently for 60 minutes. 

“If you saw them praying and taking their Catholic faith so seriously, in the sacraments, how they enter reconciliation and the Eucharist, and seek a deeper understanding of baptism and some discerning religious life – it was impressive,” he said. 

Br. Jacek said many young people approached the friars to learn about religious life, demonstrating strong faith and an openness to conversation about Franciscan life and Siena University. “I walked away with an edified feeling that these kids really are interested in us as friars and priests,” he said. “It's a validation of our life and mission and what we want to be about.” 

Br. Jacek brought a question wheel for visitors to use to break the ice when they visited. 

“It opened our conversation about what's going on in the world,” he said. “God appears in the signs of the times. He heard the cry of the poor and of the earth, and now he's calling on others to do something about it.” 

Brothers Jacek Orzechowski, OFM, Casey Cole, OFM, Tito Serrano, OFM, Greg Plata, OFM, and Jason Damon, OFM, received many guests at their interactive booths at NCYC, where attendees and friars gained new insights. (Photo courtesy of Br. Jacek)

Brothers Jacek Orzechowski, OFM, Casey Cole, OFM, Tito Serrano, OFM, Greg Plata, OFM, and Jason Damon, OFM, received many guests at their interactive booths at NCYC, where attendees and friars gained new insights. (Photo courtesy of Br. Jacek)

Integrating Laudato Si’ with faith 

The conference featured formational experiences and speakers, including a video appearance from Pope Leo XIV. The pontiff encouraged young Catholics to use their talents to build up the Church, reminding them that they are more than the future – they are her present. 

“If you feel the Lord may be calling you to something specific, talk to your parish priest or another trusted leader,” he encouraged. “They can help you discern what God is asking.” 

Br. Greg said many students were excited about the Pope’s video appearance, and they eagerly discussed his encouragement for youth involvement in the life of the Church. 

The friars were impressed by some of the interactive booths set up by organizations that attended the conference: 

  • One poster depicted Pope Leo alongside actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Arnold and the Pope have a concern for climate justice in common. Each one of our visitors is called upon to become action heroes,” said Br. Jacek. “It was a way to integrate the message of Laudato Si' with their faith.” 

  • Another booth featured a virtual reality refugee camp experience created by Catholic Relief Services. Attendees added their names and parishes to a wall representing aid recipients, which will be presented to Congress to advocate for continued funding. 

  • A university sponsor provided large LEGO-style blocks with the San Damiano cross, inviting attendees to help “rebuild the church” and share ideas like “be more loving” or “be responsive to the poor.” “It was a fantastic image of them taking a stone and interlocking it with others to rebuild a church in the 21st century,” Br. Greg said. 

Chris said the event showed that God wants to engage with us in everyday life and inspire us to fulfill our purpose. A highlight for him: seeing youth respond to OFM friars. 

“Every encounter, whether at the Siena or vocations booth, or walking the conference halls, helped youth see that our friars are real, relatable men striving to follow Christ in community,” he said, adding that they “offered practical tools for groups to explore care for creation through a Catholic and Franciscan lens.” 

Br. Jacek said it's vital for the province to collaborate with young people and ministers to embed Laudato Si’s message in ministries and schools. 

Next year’s event will be Nov. 20 to 21 in Long Beach, California.