Over 3,600 young people from across the Archdiocese of Chicago gathered at Credit Union 1 Arena on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago Nov. 2 for an experience aimed at bringing them closer to Jesus and to interact with their peers. The event, which occurs every two years, was filled with inspirational speakers, worship music, adoration and Mass for adolescents in grades six through nine.

“It’s an experience of church greater than their own parish or school,” said Tim Weiske, director of the Department of Parish Vitality and Mission. “We’ve seen the importance of having this unique experience at such an important time in young people’s lives. Those who are now in college see it as something that was really powerful and important in their faith lives.”

Holy Fire fits into the archdiocese’s ongoing efforts of renewal, he said.

“This is a powerful moment of encounter really aimed at the seventh and eighth graders where they are,” he said. “The goal is to help the kids have the encounter and respond to Jesus and to do that in an experience of bigger church beyond their parish.”

Rose Salata brought 97 students preparing for confirmation from Little Flower Parish in Waukegan.

“It gives them the opportunity to see a large group of people their age relating to God,” Salata said.

Confirmation can be a little scary, because young teens are being asked to stand up and witness to their faith, she said. Seeing other kids their age celebrating their faith at Holy Fire can help.

“It also gives them a sense of community that they maybe don’t get in their Mass experience,” she said.

The students from Little Flower felt the impact of the day.

“It made me open my eyes that it’s better to get closer to God,” said Anneliese Mata. “From this day I’m going to start actually talking to him. I would love to be his friend and have a better relationship with him.”

Yuritzi Carreno said Holy Fire was “awesome for my faith.”

“It helped open my eyes that he is with us at all times and that there are things in our lives right now that, if we prioritize him, we should trust in him and put our doubts in his hands,” the teen said. “This has also opened my eyes for not feeling alone, that God is always there with open arms and we can always turn to him. I hope to get closer to God myself.”

Seeing all of the young people worshipping God at Holy Fire moved seminarian Cristian García, who served as the deacon for the closing Mass.

“One time I was interviewed by a recently ordained priest about why I wanted to be a priest and I said, ‘I just want to give people hope.’ But seeing these kids gives me hope,” García said. “I rely on them. I rely on their faith, just as much as they rely on mine.”

García is involved with the youth group at Mother of the Americas Parish and sees the impact an experience like Holy Fire can have on teens’ faith.

“Seeing other kids around them who they study with, who they don’t know … all of a sudden they see them all together in one place and they are kneeling and they say, ‘Oh, gosh. That kid was kind to me. That kid smiled at me and now he’s praying in front of Jesus. Maybe there’s something to this church thing after all,’” he said.

Juan Perez from Jesus, Bread of Life Parish in Logan Square said the time of eucharistic adoration when everyone knelt and prayed in silence touched her.

“Right now, as I was kneeling down, I was just in a state of shock and I was crying,” Perez said. “I just felt so many emotions, but I was just happy to be here and really glad I did come today. As soon as I saw Jesus I automatically knew he was just right there. I just felt more fire in my heart and was just glad to see him. It was such a beautiful moment for me.”

Veronica Kariuki, a catechist at Jesus, Bread of Life Parish, could see the impact Holy Fire was having on her students as the day progressed, especially during eucharistic adoration.

“As it continued, I was just so affected by their reactions and I just felt myself tearing up,” Kariuki said.

Holy Fire benefits both the young people and their leaders, she said. 

“For me as a catechist, it is good that they come and experience something similar to what we teach, because sometimes if it is not coming from me but it is coming from somebody else it makes a lot of difference,” Kariuki said.

Olga Santiago attended with her great-grandson through the Jesus, Bread of Life group and was excited to see his reaction.

“We need more of this,” Santiago said. “It’s just amazing how well they accept it.”