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Holy Fire draws 7,500 Catholic youth over two days

About 7,500 middle school students sang, danced and shared their faith Oct. 18 and 19 at Holy Fire Chicago, a gathering intended to help students in sixth to ninth grade reflect on and witness to their Catholic faith in a daylong event.
Rapper Joe Melendrez performs for thousands of sixth through ninth graders Oct. 19, 2019, at Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena. More than 7,500 young people attended the event on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Rapper Joe Melendrez performs for thousands of sixth through ninth graders Oct. 19, 2019, at Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena. More than 7,500 young people attended the event on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Group leaders take to the stage during Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 19, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Rapper Joe Melendrez performs for thousands of sixth through ninth graders Oct. 19, 2019 at Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena. More than 7,500 young people attended the event on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
International pop priest Father Rob Galea sings and speaks to to thousands of sixth through ninth-graders at Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 18, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Young people comfort a friend who became emotional while praying as Father Rob Galea spoke to thousands of sixth through ninth-graders at Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 19, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
International pop priest Father Rob Galea sings at Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 19, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Emcee Noelle Garcia joins the band Epic at Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 19, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Peter Wojcik, director of the Department of Parish Vitality and Mission for the Archdiocese of Chicago, carries the Eucharist at the beginning of adoration Oct. 18, 2019, at Holy Fire in Chicago at the Credit Union 1 Arena. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Students kneel as Father Peter Wojcik, director of the Department of Parish Vitality and Mission for the Archdiocese of Chicago carries the Eucharist during adoration at Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 18, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Students from St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School in Lemont pray during eucharistic adoration at Holy Fire in the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 18, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Students from St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School in Lemont pray during eucharistic adoration at Holy Fire in the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 18, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Brian Greenfield shares stories of his personal faith experiences with thousands of sixth through ninth graders at Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 18, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Young people pray as Brian Greenfield speaks during Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 18, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Jessica Nicole Justo, a member of the band Epic, performs at Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 19, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Young people dance at Holy Fire at Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 19, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Rapper Joe Melendrez joins Father Rob Galea for their song "Allright" at Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 19, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Rapper Joe Melendrez performs for thousands of sixth through ninth graders Oct. 19, 2019, at Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena. More than 7,500 young people attended the event on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Cardinal Cupich celebrates Mass during Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 18, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Students from St. Colette School in Rolling Meadows pray during Mass at Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct. 18, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Cardinal Cupich celebrates Mass during Holy Fire at the Credit Union 1 Arena on Oct.18, 2019. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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