Catholic youth from throughout the state descended on Vicksburg over the weekend for the Diocese of Jackson’s youth conference.

More than 100 youth from parishes throughout the diocese attended the three-day conference at the Vicksburg Conference Center. The theme for the weekend was “Ablaze” and the talks centered on encouraging youth to go out and share their faith with the world.

“In our Catholic faith, we celebrate a very important feast Feb. 2, the presentation of the Lord. It occurs exactly 40 days after Christmas,” said Abbey Schuhmann, coordinator for youth ministries for the Diocese of Jackson. “The feast represents our baptism and how at our baptism we are presented with a candle as the symbol of the light of Christ. We have that responsibility as baptized Christians to spread the light of Christ. So the theme Ablaze came about.”

The conference included daily mass, small group sessions and praise and worship led by Catholic musician PJ Anderson, who was also the keynote speaker.

“For us as Catholics here is Mississippi, we are small in number so this is a great opportunity for them to see the greater church and see that there are other youth who are excited about their faith just like they are,” Schuhmann said.

The conference started Friday evening and ended Sunday with a mass led by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, bishop of Jackson.

Saturday evening featured a performance by Anderson before a period of Eucharistic adoration.

“I think the music we’ve got is very inspiring and I’m very glad that we got to book such a great singer as PJ,” said Mary Greene, 17, who attended the conference from Canton. “I really appreciate all the liturgy they are working into it, that it is not all fun and games. We are incorporating the core of our faith.”

The conference also included parish small groups, guest speakers and men and women’s groups where the youth could work to grow deeper in their faith.

“They are hearing talks on different topics,” Schuhmann said. “They are breaking out into parish groups for small group time. We have games and praise and worship with Catholic singer/songwriter PJ Anderson. Most importantly, we are celebrating the sacraments as well through mass, reconciliation.”

This year’s conference was the first time the diocese has hosted one in about five years, Schuhmann said, and they chose to bring it back in order to give the youth in the state a chance to come together and meet each other.

“You definitely get to strengthen your relationship with Christ when you come,” said Emma Taylor, 14, who attended with her church from Philadelphia, Mississippi.

“You get to meet other people too and especially where we are from, in the small town of Philadelphia, we are a minority Catholic. So when you get to come here and experience mass with other Catholics and everybody else knows the same prayers as you it like wow, I’m not the only person who know this stuff.”