Despite the bright sun and mild weather on a Sunday afternoon in October, the halls of Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington were buzzing with the sound of more than 1,000 teenagers passing between classrooms and back outside. But this was no ordinary school function. The teens from across the diocese gathered for RALLY 2025, the annual diocesan event.
The event was an action-packed eight hours. With perfect weather outside, teens tried inflatable games that involved straining at a rope to grab an item at the end of a run; rock climbing above the parking lot; GaGa ball pits; inflatable ax throwing and other amusements. Others attended breakout sessions inside or went to confession. That was all after a keynote address by Ali Hoffman and before Mass, celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and concelebrated by 11 priests and accompanied by Exalt Band.
The menu included hundreds of pizzas, Smiley’s ice cream and Rita’s Italian Ice. The fun continued with swing dancing and bingo, a performance and message by Catholic illusionist Giancarlo Bernini, and concluded with Eucharistic adoration and a sendoff.
“I’m having the time of my life,” said Anya Yabes, a first-time attendee, who was enjoying the outdoor activities with three of her friends from Nativity Catholic Church in Burke.
Anya’s friend, Madelyn Nguyen, said her favorite part of RALLY was adoration. “I love adoration and being in the same room as everyone with the same intention and being with Jesus together. There’s so much peace,” she said. “And I can’t wait to see bishop later.” All four girls echoed the sentiment.
Although it’s hard to beat the fun of jumping in a bounce house, or besting your friends at a game of GaGa ball, or taking a turn on the swing dance floor, RALLY was more than the entertainment. Enthusiasm for being with so many other teens from the diocese, for spending time with the Lord in the Eucharist, and excitement for seeing their bishop were running themes among the teens in attendance.
Aiden Paredes, who carried the processional crucifix as one of the servers for Mass came back to RALLY for his second year. “Mostly for the classes and friends, I really enjoy being here with them. It’s really fun being here, especially to be here for God and just learn more about Him and learn more about my faith. And I really like the games and the rides and the food.”
This year, more than 1,200 people from 56 parishes attended, the largest turnout in the 25 years of the event according to Kevin Bohli, executive director of the diocesan Office of Youth, Campus, and Young Adult Ministries.
“While we have made changes over the years, everything that we do at RALLY is designed to open the hearts of young people, place them in front of their bishop, and allow him to speak to them about the love that Jesus and the church has for each one of them,” Bohli said.
That sense that Bishop Burbidge communicates the love and care of Christ and his church to young people was visible in the way the teens eagerly thronged around him following Mass to shake his hand, receive a blessing, take a picture, and share a few words.
“Today it is my hope that RALLY provides you with some of the foundations that we need in our spiritual lives to keep us moving in the right direction,” Bishop Burbidge said in his homily. “As I hear of the many expectations that are placed upon you, the pressures of the academic life, the temptations that surround you, and the distress and anxiety that you so often experience in the midst of such a busy and unsettling world at times, I hope RALLY reminds you of the foundations that sustain us.”
One of those foundations that Bishop Burbidge spoke of is a key element of RALLY: “Surround yourself with good people,” he said. “People who are not going to tear you down or take you on the wrong path. People who are going to lift you up, encourage you, challenge you, and help you to live a virtuous life. And you be that person for others, as well.”
For a group of young men from St. Patrick and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception churches in Fredericksburg, who have attended RALLY multiple times, the event feels like a continuation of other diocesan events, such as BASH and Work Camp, that bring teens together.
“It’s kind of relieving to see you’re not the only one,” said Jacob Helbing, a parishioner of St. Patrick, on what it’s like to be surrounded with so many other Catholics and friends. “I really like to see all the Catholics, honestly.”
Harrison McAskill, also from St. Patrick, agreed. “(At RALLY) I found more and more people who actually care. You can have a conversation with them because they care about their faith,” he said. “It’s just hopeful.”
Goss is a freelancer in Arlington.
