SEEK prompts young adults to grow closer to God
More than 4,500 young adults participate in Eucharistic Adoration during the third day of the SEEK 2026 Fort Worth Conference at Gaylord Texan in Grapevine on January 3, 2026. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
GRAPEVINE — Marilu Carlos always found herself in a room full of older women when she attended a Bible study class.
“I felt out of place and wondered, “Where are the people my age who are on the same faith journey?’” recalled the St. John the Apostle parishioner. “I appreciated the words and wisdom of people who had life experiences I didn’t have yet, but it was hard to relate.”
Hoping to kickstart a young adult ministry at her parish, the 31-year-old was encouraged to attend SEEK 2026 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center from Jan. 1-5 in Grapevine.
A national Catholic conference hosted by FOCUS, an organization committed to evangelization, the annual SEEK gathering provides opportunities to encounter Christ through prayer, Adoration, Mass, and inspiring talks. Held concurrently in three dioceses — Fort Worth, Denver, and Columbus — the annual event boasted record-breaking attendance this year. The trio of conferences attracted more than 26,000 participants, a 24 percent increase from 2025.
Although SEEK presents sessions relevant to all age groups, outreach is geared primarily toward college students and young adults.
“The feeling of being around thousands of people — especially young people — who are devoted to their faith is wonderful. I feel so welcomed,” said Carlos, who was one of the 5,000 attendees at the Grapevine location. “SEEK is for everyone. It’s a great way to connect. A lot of good things will come from being here.”
Fifty-eight U.S. bishops attending SEEK 2026 were joined by a number of priests, seminarians, and women religious. Worshipers filled the Gaylord’s Texas Ballroom to celebrate Mass with Fort Worth Bishop Michael Olson on Jan. 2. The leader of North Texas Catholics also met with diocesan participants Jan. 4 to answer questions and recognize the work of local campus ministers.
Searching for faith
The popularity of the SEEK conferences is proof the Church is experiencing a resurgence of faith among young people, particularly young men, according to Jeff Hedglen, director of campus ministry at the University of Texas at Arlington.
“In the last five years, something has happened in the young Church. They are hungry for something more than just praise and worship they get in the evangelical world,” he explained.
According to the Pew Research Center’s latest Religious Landscape Study, the Gen Z demographic (people born between 1997 and 2012) are searching for truth, tradition, and community in a chaotic world. Catholicism offers a clear moral framework and tangible experiences of faith through the sacraments.
The number of males converting to Catholicism or returning to the faith is significant and several SEEK talks addressed their concerns.
“These sessions help them find their way to a positive, male-centered spirituality that is uplifting to them and the Church,” said Hedglen, who accompanied several UTA students to the presentations.
Motivating talks by nationally recognized speakers could lead to vocations.
“But more than anything it encourages young men to dive deep into the person of Jesus Christ, His definition of what it means to be a man and the Church’s definition of success which is very juxtaposed to what the world tells them,” the veteran youth and campus minister added.
At a SEEK conference, young people benefit from solid Catholic teaching, a mix of beautiful liturgies, sacred music, and a poignant Adoration service.
A recently developed parish track gives lay ministers and other Catholics the opportunity, “to get training on evangelization and how to get people excited about their faith,” Hedglen continued. “SEEK helps you get excited about who Jesus is and the importance He has in your life.”
Finding comfort in Jesus
Seventy-three underclassmen and recent graduates of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley accompanied Jessica Pruneda to SEEK 2026 in Grapevine. The 28-year-old campus minister said a remarkable number of Catholic students are coming to the school’s Newman Center with a desire to know their faith.
“They are scared about what’s happening in the world and are running to someone for guidance,” said the Diocese of Brownsville employee. “They want truth, love, and comfort, and we know we find that in Jesus Christ.”
Manny Ayala is part of the university’s growing Catholic community. A senior at the south Texas school, he came to a SEEK conference last year and returned to explore, again, what it means to be a missionary disciple of Jesus.
“It’s all about growing in faith and fellowship. That’s why I’m here,” Ayala enthused. “The speakers are amazing.”
The soon-to-be graduate thinks more males his age are embracing the faith because of an ongoing gender war that leaves men feeling alienated in society.
“I think a lot of us are confused about what it means to be a man,” he suggested. “Men are looking for something real and that leads you right to the Catholic Church. We have a lot of great role models like St. Joseph who show us how to be a great father.”
An invitation to conversion
Recent Tarleton State University graduate Ramon Aguilar is a veteran of five SEEK conferences and the experience continues to improve his life.
“When I went to SEEK 2022 in Dallas, I was in a pretty low place,” admitted the St. Brendan parishioner. “I would go to church weekly because my parents made me, but SEEK was the first time I encountered Christ.”
What he heard and saw during the sessions and liturgies led to self-reflection and personal growth.
“I changed a lot of my habits,” he confessed. “Now I invite as many other students as possible to SEEK. Many are far away from their faith, and I want them to have the same conversion I did.”
Aguilar is following the advice offered by Dallas Bishop Edward Burns during a Mass concelebrated with other bishops on Jan.4, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
“Evangelization is an invitation,” he told SEEK participants at the Sunday liturgy. “Our goal is not to win arguments. Our goal is to win hearts, and we do that with expressions of charity and clarity.”
He reminded the congregation the Magi were also seekers.
“The Wise Men teach us the secret of being missionary disciples,” Bishop Burns said. “Seek Him out. Kneel before Him and offer your gifts, your talents, your very life to Him. Then pursue your life with Christ in a different way.”