This February, about 1,500 youth and adult leaders came together at the Frisco Convention Center and fill the adjacent Embassy Suites for the annual Dallas Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC). Every year, the Diocese of Dallas holds this conference for youth at any stage of their faith journey to grow closer to God. The conference includes inspiring speakers, amazing bands, time for spiritual reflection, masses and Adoration, and fellowship. This year’s theme was Retrospect, and combined with the fact that this was the first DCYC ever held in Lent, made for a very unique conference.
The Weekend
Over Presidents’ Day weekend, DCYC takes over the Frisco Convention Center, and the teens arrive on Friday evening. Before the conference even begins, the A-team (student leadership team) 
band was playing praise and worship songs and hyping up the teens. The conference begins with a presentation, this one was about Christ’s Passion. Then, the A-Team was called up for the washing of the feet. As servant leaders, the A-Team was called to wash the feet of any teen who wanted to receive it. This was a DCYC first, and something I hope to continue to see in the future. Seeing so many teens devoted to beginning the retreat with a symbolic cleaning with deep roots in Lenten tradition was absolutely inspiring. The first general assembly concluded with a testimony from an A-Team member. Each parish group was then given time to discuss and process the keynote, testimony, and foot washing. Finally, teens were sent to their rooms after a busy evening.
Saturday
The next morning began at 7:30, by then the hotel lobby had already become abuzz with the sounds of hundreds of teens eating before the day begins. General Assembly began at 9 AM with the sounds of the Dave Moore Band, followed by another Keynote and testimony. Then, the first mass of the weekend began, with father Mark Garrett presiding. His homily was a good reminder to appreciate how God comes into our lives through the little things, his desire to love us never ceasing. The A-team served as music ministry, and lectors, and many volunteers served as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. The mass was a nice reminder that the youth of the Church are willing to be involved and stay committed to the Lord through serving at Mass.
After Mass and Lunch, the day continued with 3 breakout sessions. There were many options for theses sessions, from how Christ is present in suffering to even how you can 
find God at Walmart. The most popular ones, however, were the men’s and women’s sessions. Obviously, I cannot say much about the women’s breakout, but the men’s session was full of valuable life lessons, advice, and discussion about what it means to be a Man of God. Some of the breakouts were in Spanish, too, a DCYC first. The final breakout session was all about how to pray. These breakouts were a welcome addition, helping myself and many others become more comfortable in how they communicate with the Lord. Jesuit’s Mrs. Crowder presented one on the Ignatian Examen; “I was asked by the organizers of the DCYC for the first time this year to give a breakout presentation on the Ignatian Examen. I did not know what to expect when I arrived, but I was excited to see so many groups of students there really excited about their faith. I was also overwhelmed by the number of kids who showed up to hear the presentation. The room was overflowing! I always love the opportunity to introduce or remind people of the Examen- particularly in ways that are useful for them.”
Following the breakouts, the Experience began. The Experience is a time devoted completely to fellowship with people from one’s own or from a different parish. 
The band plays more praise and worship, and rooms are filled with many fun things to do. One of my favorite activities was 9-square. This time also had both the Sacrament of Reconciliation and quiet adoration available. This adoration was a great way to both be with God and find some peace from the loud and fast moving environment of the convention center. The atmosphere was intoxicating, full of teens having fun and building bonds.
Then came the last general assembly of the day, including another teen testimony, keynote, and ending with Adoration; this was my favorite part of the entire conference. The Bishop 
began it like any other Adoration before Dave Moore and the band encouraged prayer through song, something I personally struggled with during my time as a worship musician. The songs that the band was playing were the exact words that I needed to hear and talk with God about. Also available were more confessions from various priests around the diocese, and even both Bishops were there! There is something indescribable about an examination of conscience and penance in front of the Blessed Sacrament, It is awe inspiring and so moving. This was the highlight of my weekend.
Like the night before, Saturday ended with reflection time with each parish, but not before one final set of prayer. This time was led by the A-Team, they prayed with any teen who wanted help, was struggling with their relationship with the Lord, or anything else that stresses the soul.
Sunday
After Saturday’s 14 hour day, Sunday came a much needed day of rest in the Lord. Beginning with a final Keynote and testimony, the attendees were reminded to keep this “spiritual high” throughout the year. Culminating with the highest form of prayer, Mass, DCYC finished in full force. Presided by Bishop Burns and including families of many of the conference’s participants, this was the largest mass I had even been too. Leaving the conference that day, I, like many of my peers were reawakened with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Student Perspectives
I asked some retreat members who attend Jesuit to share their favorite parts and what they liked about it.
Santi Hernandez-Hoffman ’27 attended DCYC for the first time this year.
“At first, the only reason as to why I went to DCYC was to be with some of my friends. But then I realized how important this actually was. This affected me in a very positive way as it helped me to improve my prayer habits and different ways to pray. I would definitely recommend this retreat for anyone. It is a whole lot of fun and you get to meet a whole lot of new people and become closer with those you already know.”
Travis Cantu ’26 was also at the retreat for his second time.
“I think that DCYC was a very impactful moment in my religious journey. Adoration was my favorite part of the retreat. I was able to be face to face with God and just talk about anything. You gain the feeling of grace and love from God during this moment that you can carry with you throughout life. I would 100% recommend this experience because you can learn a lot about the Catholic faith and traditions. Also, you experience God’s love and care throughout the retreat, in the people, activities, and talks. I would also recommend this to non-Catholics who are considering the faith, so that they could gain valuable insight into the central teachings of the church.”
So What does this all mean?
While DCYC was a fun time to grow in faith and fellowship, there was deep spiritual meaning behind it. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Youth Ministry Coordinator, Roy Becerra, was very helpful in explaining what was happening spiritually under the curtains.
“In looking at the Order of Christian Initiation, the Period of the Post-Baptismal Catechesis, called Mystagogy, is the time for the newly baptized to discover what it means to fully participate in the sacramental mysteries of the Church. Traditionally, for these neophytes, this period extends through the Easter season until the feast of Pentecost. This is all good and well for the new members of the Church, who have been entrenched in months of study of the faith, but what about those who were born into it and for one reason or another have never had an opportunity to be led into what their baptismal promises meant for themselves.
DCYC as a conference is a fantastic chance for teens to tangibly discover Mystagogy with one another. Particularly with how accessible the Sacraments are throughout the course of the weekend. For some, Reconciliation may not be readily available, so with the sacrament 
being offered throughout the entirety of the event, they can once again become ‘Eyelash to eyelash’ (Latin: re- again, con- with, cilia- eyelash), with the Father. Then, during Adoration, they are physically face-to-face with Christ our savior in a profound experience with their newly purified souls. Mass is even more beautiful descending from this mountain top experience where the Redeemer who has forgiven them their sins and revealed Himself physically now allows Himself to be consumed and dwell within these young people.
All of this, compacted within a weekend for an individual is profound, but now this is amplified by the sheer number of youths in attendance. The ability to share these encounters of Christ through the sacraments in fellowship with one another is a beauty that cannot be explained. Choosing to go to Reconciliation on your own is one thing. To be invited to go with your friends is Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another,” made manifest, Adoration with friends is Christ’s invitation to their own private Sermon on the Mount, and Mass is being in attendance for the Last Supper.
DCYC is one of the best ways for a teen to grow closer in their faith for themselves and their relationships with each another.”
Final thoughts
As we continue through this Easter season, I decided to back on my Lenten journey. This retreat, a weekend of pure joy in the Lord, helped to unlock extra discipline and a renewed passion for Jesus as I anticipated his Resurrection. This Easter season, I noticed myself being more in tune with my spiritual life, and I attribute that to the seeds planted in by head and heart by DCYC. Admittedly, I am a little biased, but I strongly encourage every teen who reads this to go the their Church’s youth minister and ask them about this Conference. It transformed my relationship with God, made me feel less anxious, and encouraged me to become a more prolific man for and with others.
Stay tuned to the Roundup for more news on DCYC 2025!
All photos credit @dcycdallas on Instagram and Facebook
