Religious Gathering for Young People in USA Has Tremendous Response
During the first days of 2025, annual SEEK conference held in Salt Lake City, Utah together with a satellite event in Washington, D.C. Members from both the Most Pure Heart of Mary (PCM) and St. Elias (SEL) provinces participated along with more than 17,000 young Catholic adults. This conference, led by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), offers college students an opportunity to explore, grow in, and renew their faith. The SEEK experience demonstrates a vibrant revival among the younger generations of Catholics, serving as a powerful reminder: our faith is not merely a relic of the past but is a living, breathing force that continues to inspire and unite.
“In recent years, many people have expressed a fear that the Catholic faith is dying in the United States, pointing to the swiftly aging congregations of our Catholic parishes across the country. I am grateful to report that I have encountered a reason for hope that our Catholic Church will not fade away despite a future that is uncertain,” said the PCM vocation director, Michael Joyce.
It is in such moments, surrounded by thousands of like-minded individuals, that one can truly feel the heartbeat of a faith renewed. “These young faithful are not merely passive observers; they are active participants in a community that values connection, understanding, and spiritual growth. They are the torchbearers, carrying forward the light of their beliefs into a world that often seems darkened by doubt. Faith can adapt and thrive in contemporary society, embracing new forms of expression while remaining rooted in timeless truths. This resurgence among our youth is a testament to the enduring strength and relevance of the Catholic faith, offering hope and inspiration for the future,” he said.
While the clamor of the world may proclaim that faith is a folly, SEEK opens a divine doorway, whispering the reassurance, “you are not alone,” a message our Carmelite tradition proudly embraces. Perhaps this is why so many people stopped to ask about “The Carmelite Way” and what it means to “Listen to God’s voice in Silence, and act on God’s voice in the World.” Hundreds of years later, we still are driven from the din of the city and embark on a journey into the desert so that we may better hear and know the voice of God and be transformed by God’s love and mercy.
For five days, these vibrant souls absorbed the wisdom of esteemed speakers, like Arthur Brooks, a prolific writer and speaker, and Fr. Mike Schmitz, priest, speaker, author, and podcaster. They navigated “Mission Way” to connect with members of religious congregations and various Catholic organizations who were represented there. And they reveled in joyous nights filled with music, dance, song, fellowship and prayer. “I asked many who I spoke to, ‘What is the one thing you wish to carry with you a year from now?’ The resounding sentiment was that the most profound experience was not merely the words spoken, but the sheer joy of being amidst a multitude that shared their beliefs—a testament to the strength of the Catholic community,” Fr. Michael continued.
The seeds of this movement were sown 20 years ago in Denver when the original SEEK Conference emerged as a biannual gathering. Next year, the experience will unfold in three different locations in the United States.