‘Boldy Chosen: Chosen to Be Bold’ will be theme for 2026 Diocesan Youth Rally
You’re not alone.
Not in the things you struggle with.
Not in your desire to follow the Lord.
Not in being Catholic.
That’s something the organizers of this year’s Diocesan Youth Rally (diojeffcity.org/diocesan-youth-rally) want every teen who attends to take home with them.
“If you come with friends, it will help you connect with them and forge deeper friendships,” said Abby Emmett, a member of the Youth Rally organizing committee.
“But you’ll also meet new people and see that our Church is a huge community, and we’re all connected through faith,” said Miss Emmett, a student at the Missouri University of Science & Technology and a member of St. Patrick Parish, both in Rolla.
The rally will be from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026, at Helias Catholic High School, 1305 Swifts Highway in Jefferson City.
Catholic teens in seventh through 12th grade are encouraged to attend.
It will include two keynote presentations from nationally acclaimed Catholic speaker Meg Hunter-Kilmer (piercedhands.com), a concert with Catholic performers the Scally Brothers (thescallybrothers.com), peer testimonies, an unusual gameshow, Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, a chance to go to Confession, and Mass with Bishop Ralph B. O’Donnell.
The $10-per-person cost includes lunch.
“God encounters every single person very intentionally,” said Connor Souders, a member of the group that’s helping to organize the event.
“It’s great to know that you’re not alone in wanting to be active in your faith,” said Mr. Souders, a Lake Ozark native and a senior studying computer science at the University of Missouri. “It’s neat to go to something like this and get an idea of how many other people are in the same boat you’re in.”
The theme for the rally is “Boldly Chosen: Chosen to Be Bold.”
“You’re going to leave this event feeling like air,” said Deklon Knipp, a member of the organizing committee.
“You’re going to feel peace, and no matter what you’ve been juggling or struggling with, this is going to help you,” said Mr. Knipp, a junior at Tipton High School and a member of St. Andrew Parish in Tipton.
“There’s something for everybody,” noted organizing committee member Nora Seedorf. “It’s meant to be a faith journey, but it’s also going to be a lot of fun.
“It’s designed to calm your mind and soul, to take you out of the busyness and craziness of the world so you can focus your whole heart and mind on Jesus,” said Miss Seedorf, a member of Mary Immaculate Parish in Kirksville and a student at Kirksville High School.
Love and laughter
Keynote presenter Ms. Hunter-Kilmer is an author, speaker, and University of Notre Dame campus minister, who travels the world telling people about the fierce and tender love of God.
She has given keynote presentations at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), the National Eucharistic Congress, and many other events.
“You’re going to be loved here, and we’re going to be telling you about how that love comes from God himself,” said Ms. Hunter-Kilmer.
“We’ll also make you laugh,” she said. “You’re going to have a good time, and the Lord is going to work with you. Step out in faith and trust in that.”
She said people tend to believe a lot of lies about what gives them value.
“Were going to talk about how deeply, fiercely, tenderly God loves you, exactly as you are,” she said. “There’s nothing you can bring to this rally that disqualifies you or keeps God from seeing you in your fullness and delighting in you.”
Ms. Hunter-Kilmer loves sharing stories about little-known saints.
“Their lives help reveal the diversity of ways we can follow the Lord,” she said.
There are saints from every background and temperament who have endured every kind of setback.
And saints are still being made.
“God didn’t mess up when he made you,” Ms. Hunter-Kilmer asserted. “So, let’s figure out what kind of saint you’re being called to be!”
The Scally Brothers are a high-energy Christian pop duo from Toledo, Ohio, made up of brothers Jake and Zach Scally.
Their music connects deeply with listeners navigating real life — celebrating faith in the highs and holding onto it in the lows.
Blending modern pop production with powerful harmonies and electronic textures, The Scally Brothers create songs that speak to hope, perseverance, and God’s unshakable goodness.
Reasons to go
Ms. Hunter-Kilmer pointed out that God cannot be outdone in generosity.
“If you give him a day, he will give exceedingly back to you in ways you can’t even imagine,” she said.
Miss Emmett believes there’s no better time to attend a Youth Rally.
This is a busy time of year, as if young people weren’t always busy.
“This Youth Rally will be a chance to take a step back and look at where you are and see your life from a different perspective,” she said.
Mr. Knipp believes the format will be familiar to people who have ever attended NCYC.
“There were a lot of fun things, but the Mass was the best part of that entire trip for me,” he said.
He believes the fun and reverent fellowship at the Youth Rally will leave people wanting more.
“If you want true rest and to be truly at peace, then go to this rally,” he said. “You’re going to get what you probably don’t even realize you need.”
Miss Seedorf said spending an entire day with Jesus and friends old and new will be worth the time.
“When you go back home, you’ll be mentally and spiritually rested,” she said.
More importantly, it will be a springboard to a more active, fulfilling faith life.
“Whenever you go to an event like this, you go home with all this peace and love for Jesus,” said Miss Seedorf. “It’s a really amazing feeling.”
That “Jesus high” is supposed to start habits, not end them, she said.
“Your faith can always be deeper and holier,” she stated. “As soon as your emotions settle down, it’s about building habits, and consistency is key.”
The goal of that fire and consistency is to stay actively rooted in Christ, continue growing in holiness, help invigorate their parishes and spread the joy to everyone they encounter.
“That’s what’s going to fuel your faith journey, if you’re really participating and letting it soak in,” she said.
Mr. Souders recalled how going to NCYC helped motivate him to get more active in his parish at home and to get involved in the Catholic Newman Center in college.
He’s confident that this Youth Rally will have a similar effect on the people who go to it.
“Everything will work itself out if you’re taking care of your relationship with the Lord,” said he said.
In God’s hands
As the Youth Rally approaches, Mr. Knipp asked for prayers for everyone who will attend and participate.
“Lord, please open their hearts, minds and souls to hear what you’re guiding toward and what you’re asking of them,” he prayed.
Mr. Souders requested asking God to encounter very intentionally every person who attends the rally.
“I think a big part of this event is showing that young people wanting to practice their faith aren’t alone,” he said. “We should pray for God to help them realize that, and have that move their faith forward.”
Miss Emmett recommended praying for all the good that comes from this rally to spill over into the participants’ lives and the decisions they make.
“Basically, being able to surrender everything — the big things and the smallest of things — to God,” she explained.
She acknowledged that the culture conditions young people to hide their weakness and vulnerability.
“As humans, we have so many weaknesses, and the world views our weakness as a bad thing,” she noted.
“But what does Christ tell us?” she asked. “In his moment of greatest weakness, he died on the cross, and through that weakness, his power was made perfect.”
“It’s how we unite our weaknesses, our sufferings, our struggles with him that his power continues to be made perfect,” she stated.
“Our goal is heaven,” Miss Seedorf noted. “The more people chase after Jesus, the more they’ll find him. We want to provide that ‘little bit of Jesus’ in order for everyone to want more.”
