College students and other Catholics traveled to St. Louis earlier this month to reignite their faith with thousands of peers from around the world at SEEK23, an event organized by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. FOCUS organizers say the Jan. 2-6 event drew nearly 19,000 registrants.
Jonathan Roumie, the actor who plays Jesus in the hit series “The Chosen,” surprised the audience by playing trivia with students and speakers on stage and then sharing his testimony. He encouraged attendees, “If you feel like you need some sort of breakthrough in your life, if you need some sort of opportunity to go further and something’s holding you back, ask yourself: Have you completely surrendered to God?”
“Faith is not a feeling. Faith is holding onto truths your reason has accepted, despite your changing moods,” said keynote speaker Father Mike Schmitz, host of the chart-topping podcasts “The Catechism in a Year” and “The Bible in a Year.”
In discussing the disturbing growth of “me-ism,” Father Schmitz said, “Faith has to be a real relationship with a real God, not my own invention or my own version of God.”
Nearly 60 students from the Catholic Campus Ministry at George Mason University in Fairfax attended SEEK23, according to Laura Calvin, a FOCUS missionary at GMU.
“Several students shared that it was a powerful experience to participate in Mass and adoration with nearly 19,000 other people,” she said, noting that her campus FOCUS team plans to follow up individually with attendees to help them come closer to the Lord. “For some that may be to develop a daily prayer life, go to confession, join a Bible study, attend a mission trip, or even step into a leadership role with the GMU Catholic Campus Ministry. Praise God for all that he has done and will continue to do through SEEK.”
“I grew up Catholic and went to a Catholic school but had drifted away from my faith once starting college a few years ago,” said GMU senior Melissa Dolfi. “SEEK has completely reignited my faith and my desire to build a relationship with God, as well as my desire to be a part of my local church community. Being surrounded by such a large community at SEEK and listening to the speakers was so inspiring and surreal, it has encouraged me to recommit myself to living my life for God and with God.”
Deacon Dave Maurer from St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax is a repeat attendee.
“It was amazing to be back in person after two years of hybrid events,” he said, referring to the opportunities that the parish organized for participation in virtual events 2021-22. “We were all inspired to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ and to embrace our call to serve and lead others to Christ as missionary disciples.”
If anyone thinks that the Catholic Church is dying or unpopular with young people, they should consider what happened at SEEK23, said Pedro Lopez, digital and social media specialist in the diocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Respect Life.
“I just watched thousands of college students kneel before the Blessed Sacrament and take a week out of their winter break to grow in their faith,” he said. “I think the church is in good hands.”
Attendees viewed an advance showing of “Thirst for Souls: The Michelle Duppong Story,” detailing the remarkable life of Servant of God Michelle Duppong, a former FOCUS missionary who passed away from cancer in 2015 at the age of 31. The film explored the many ways Duppong inspired others with her courageous spirit and missionary zeal. Last year, Bishop David Kagan of Bismarck, N.D., announced the opening of the diocesan investigation into sainthood, which could lead to Duppong’s beatification and canonization.
People encountered the Lord in deeper ways during daily Mass, confession and Eucharistic adoration. During a special evening Eucharistic adoration Jan. 4 at The Dome at America’s Center, where the NFL’s Rams franchise played its home games prior to relocating to Los Angeles, more than 500 priests heard more than 3,000 confessions in two hours.
Find out more
Learn about opportunities to bring SEEK to your home or parish with SEEK Where You Are, which encourages gathering in small groups at homes or parishes to view and discuss SEEK23 talks, at seek.focus.org. SEEK Where You Are will be held March 31-April 2 at St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax. SEEK24 will take place Jan. 1-5, 2024. To register, go to seek.focus.org/seek24.
