Priests, NCYC participants make the sacrament of penance a priority
Priests hear confessions during the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis in November 2025. (Photo by Sean Gallagher)
By Sean Gallagher
On Nov. 21, the first full day of the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), a long line of people soon formed in the large exhibit hall at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis set aside for the sacrament of penance.
The line snaked back and forth like the line for a roller coaster at an amusement park. It soon flowed out of the room out into the hallway. Dozens of priests and bishops sat in seats spread out across the hall ready to hear confessions in English and in Spanish and give conference participants God’s mercy.
Seminarians and other volunteers managed the room, giving penitents cards that helped them examine their consciences and directing them to priests and bishops for the sacrament. Then, when they left the hall after being forgiven of their sins, a volunteer gave them a sticker to wear that said, “I’m forgiven.”
About an hour before the room opened, the 16,000 youths taking part in the conference heard Pope Leo XIV speak about the sacrament in a live video encounter they had with him in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
“We experience [the] mercy of God in a special way in the sacrament of reconciliation,” the pontiff said. “In confession, Jesus meets us in the priest. We honestly confess our sin and accept our penance. The priest gives absolution and we know with certainty that we are forgiven.
“So yes, it can be discouraging when we fall. But do not focus only on your sins. Look to Jesus, trust his mercy and go to him with confidence. He will always welcome you home.”
Seeing the long line of people waiting to confess their sins and the dozens of priests and bishops waiting to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation with them was “eye-opening” for Paige Allgeier, 17, a member of St. Louis Parish in Batesville who was attending NCYC for the first time.
“It was so cool, all these people wanting to be forgiven and giving their time to God, and all these priests,” said Paige. “It was amazing to see everyone so happy to be here and to worship the Lord.”
She spoke with The Criterion about the confession room soon after taking part in the sacrament herself.
“I needed to experience the Holy Spirit with a clean soul to really get the full experience [of NCYC],” Paige said. “I have a clean soul and will be so thankful for the Lord. I’ll go through the day thankful for him and for the Holy Spirit, being here with everyone.”
A group of teenage boys from the Diocese of Peoria, Ill., also spoke with The Criterion about making confession a priority during NCYC.
“No matter where we are and what we do, we’re all going to be sinners,” said John Baker. “So, at the end of the day, it’s good to go to confession and know that God is there and his mercy is still within you.”
After being absolved of his sins, he felt ready for the rest of the conference.
“It’s like a clean slate,” John said. “It’s a new day and a new start. I’m looking forward to learning what I can do to grow in Christ.”
The young men spoke about how, when they see their friends trying to live out their faith well, they are encouraged to do the same. Taking part in the sacrament of reconciliation for them is an important part of that.
“When I see my friend living the Catholic faith well, I’ll think, ‘Maybe I need to change some of the things that I’m doing,’ ” said Joshua Stedwill. “Seeing all the people going to confession makes people think, ‘I need to do that, too.’ Then we can bring that back to our high school.”
Another one of those friends was Frederic Couri. When he saw the long line of people waiting to go to confession, he doubted how personal the experience of the sacrament would be for him.
“But what I experienced in there was probably one of the more deep, personal confessions that I’ve had in a while,” he said. “It’s going to be my driving force. It’s given me the mindset that I’ll take into the different keynotes or talks. In the future, when I go to adoration or confession, I’ll focus on how I grow in my deep, personal relationship with Christ.”
Redemptorist Father Denis Sweeney has attended NCYC on several occasions. Each time, he takes time to offer God’s mercy in the confession room. This year’s NCYC was no different for him.
“It’s an ideal moment for these young people to experience God’s love and forgiveness and not feel like they’re being hounded or judged,” Father Denis said. “They’re hungry for forgiveness. They want to be right with the Lord. They want to feel his grace and start over. So, they’re willing to use the moment they’ve been given.
“And, as a priest, you finish one and you know that the next one is coming.”
Father Kyle Rodden, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Corydon and St. Mary Parish in Lanesville, took his own turn in the confession room at NCYC on Nov. 21.
He was impressed by seeing so many other priests hearing confessions alongside him.
“To be a part of the brotherhood, to be a part of the bigger reality of God’s grace at work is humbling and very joyful,” said Father Rodden. “It’s a very joyful ministry to be a part of.”
He was also humbled to be a channel of God’s mercy and grace to so many people who came to him for the sacrament.
“I have to humbly pray that the Lord will provide what the person is looking for, certainly with mercy, but also with any special counsel or words of encouragement,” Father Rodden said. “It’s a great blessing to be there.” †
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