Jan 5, 2026 / 16:41 pm (CNA).

“Do you believe in miracles, or should we start with coffee?”

Young Catholics gathered for a possibly record-breaking large speed dating event in Columbus, Ohio, on Jan. 4. 

About 2,500 students participated in speed dating at SEEK 2026, reflecting both a thirst for genuine connection and a willingness to step outside of comfort zones in pursuit of meaningful relationships. At a time when dating culture often seems dominated by casual hookups, social media pressures, and uncertainty, SEEK 2026 participants explored a wide range of topics, from personal faith to vocational discernment. 

The event broke the world record for the largest speed dating event based on earlier entries in Guinness World Records.

About 26,000 people attended the SEEK 2026 conference held simultaneously in Columbus, Denver, and Fort Worth, Texas, organized by  FOCUS, a Catholic group that sends missionaries to college campuses and parishes.

In Columbus, which drew about 16,000 attendees, Emily Wilson, a Catholic author and YouTuber, offered students a framework for approaching dating with clarity and purpose ahead of the speed dating event on Jan. 4. 

6 principles for intentional Catholic dating

Wilson emphasized six key points for navigating dating with freedom, dignity, and an ultimate focus on God.

1. Go on one date — and let others do the same.

“Dating is the process of discernment,” Wilson said. “You do not need to know if you’re going to marry someone before saying yes to a second date. Jesus wants you to be calm.” The idea is simple: Allow yourself and others to explore relationships without pressure, gossip, or unrealistic expectations. 

2. Use the word “date” and be clear and intentional.

Clarity matters, especially in an age where sending a “WYD” (what are you doing?) text has become common. “If you want to stand out, be clear. Use the word ‘date,’” Wilson told the audience. “Call her. Say, ‘I’d love to take you on a date.’ Yes, it’s a risk, but many marriages begin with that courage.”

3. If God calls you to marriage, college is not the only place to meet your spouse.

Wilson encouraged young people to resist the “ring by spring” pressures. “Focus on becoming the most beautiful version of yourself — the person God is calling you to be right now,” she said. God’s timing, she emphasized, is unique for everyone.

4. Let go of the idea that your future spouse will perfectly match your type.

While attraction is important, deeper qualities matter most. “When life gets hard,” Wilson noted, one will not be so fixated on physical appearance but rather be thanking God that their spouse is so “selfless, giving, kind, loving, virtuous, and holy.”

5. Guard your heart.

“Peace in dating comes from making hard choices to protect your heart,” she said, quoting Philippians 4:7: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Making intentional decisions is a form of self-respect, not aggression.

6. Do not apologize for your standards.

Wilson urged students to stand firm in their faith and virtues: “Say it with confidence. ‘I’m looking for a virtuous Catholic who loves the Eucharist, desires the sacraments, and wants a faithful marriage.’ There is nothing to apologize for.”

Breaking records, building connections

The “Catholic Speed Dating Event with Candid” drew lines stretching across several exhibit halls down the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Students repeatedly noted that such spaces provide rare, faith-aligned opportunities to meet new people without immediate expectation.

Participants described the speed dating event as both countercultural and reassuring — a response to frustrations many feel with modern dating. For Clemson University student Jonathan Brinker, the shared Catholic identity immediately changed the tone of conversations. “It was nice to meet people who have similar values,” he said. “That makes the conversation deeper and more meaningful.”

That sense of ease stood out for Shippensburg University student Joseph Striggle as well. “Events like this help you realize dating isn’t as intimidating as it’s made out to be,” he said. “It’s just having a normal conversation with another person.”

His classmate, Tom Gehman, said the event addressed deeper concerns about today’s dating culture. “A lot of people don’t share the same worldview or end goals, especially when it comes to faith and relationships,” he noted. “People want reassurance that there are other people who share their values.”

Expressing a strong dislike of social media, Gehman added that he desires “to meet someone face-to-face and ask them out directly,” calling the event “good practice” for doing so.

Students from Western Kentucky University echoed this sentiment as well as an emphasis on lowering pressure while remaining intentional. “Going on a first date doesn’t mean you have to marry that person,” Mary Pikar said. “It’s just about getting to know each other.”

Karley Solorzano added that high expectations can sometimes lead to inaction. “We overthink dating, especially as Catholics,” she said. “Events like this can give us a way to take chances and trust that God can surprise us.”

For some students, simply being surrounded by others who take faith seriously was encouraging. Seton Hall University student Emily Castillo said observing faithful behavior — even in her male friendships — gave her hope. “Seeing that makes me think what it could be like with someone who genuinely loves and cares for me,” she said.

Maria Notario added: “A shared faith allows relationships to go deeper than surface-level connections. Everyone [at the event] is single and Catholic; there’s at least some foundation there.”

Short conversations also proved meaningful. Kylee Jackels from Winona State University said having a designated space to meet people — even for a few minutes at a time — mattered. “It’s valuable to have a low-pressure environment where people can actually talk,” she said.

“There aren’t many single Christians where I’m from,” Lindsay Moen added. “It was nice to be in this space with similar people without crazy expectations.” The two students did see immediate results, however, as their friend was asked out on a date while waiting in line for the event to begin.

Others said the event helped them step outside their comfort zones. Anna Whittenburg of Bowling Green State University referenced Emily Wilson’s earlier point of maintaining standards, sharing that this was something she kept in mind before going into the speed dating event.

“Hearing that reaffirmed by someone like Emily Wilson made a difference. I don’t have to apologize for wanting a good, healthy Catholic relationship,” she said. Her twin sister, Elaina, added that the experience was practical as well as affirming: “It was a good way to practice talking to new people.”

For University of Alabama student Jay Zito, this event challenged initial hesitation. “We were kind of dragged into it by a friend,” he admitted. “But I’m glad we were. In an age where men can be fearful of approaching women for several reasons, this space gave people permission to try and make meaningful connections.”

His friend Landon McClellan added that the in-person nature of the event was crucial. “Hookup culture is everywhere today, and things like social media, filters, and AI mess with expectations and confidence,” he said. “Dating doesn’t have to be scary; it can be a really good thing that will lead to sacramental marriages.”

Candid Dating, a platform co-founded by Taylor O’Brien, led the speed dating event. Candid hosts weekly virtual speed dating for Catholic singles, and SEEK provided a chance to create real connections in person. 

“Success can look different for everyone. For some, it’s gaining experience and confidence in talking to others — men or women,” O’Brien said. “For others, it might be building the courage to ask for someone’s number or feeling secure and confident present themselves as a whole person.”

She added that another goal for some could be marriage, reflecting the previous year’s several couples who have since become engaged. 

Hope for the future

Wilson said the weekend confirmed what she has seen in her work with Catholic singles: a deep desire for holy, intentional relationships. 

“There has been a real breakdown in communication, and a lot of fear has crept in,” she said. That fear, she described, is not from the Lord but rather the enemy who “wants us stuck in panic or overwhelm” so that we don’t “step into what the Lord desires for us.”

Drawing on her experience with Sacred Spark, a Catholic dating platform she co-founded, Wilson expressed optimism. “We now have tens of thousands of Catholic singles on the app who are intentionally seeking meaningful relationships, even if it starts digitally — just making that initial connection.”

She added that in the coming years, “we’re going to see a revival of beautiful sacramental marriages, with Catholic singles who are intentional, communicative, open, honest, and clear.”

“After things have become as complicated as they have, there’s really nowhere to go but up,” she said. “For these young Catholics desiring relationships, I really stand on hope.”

Jan 5, 2026 / 16:28 pm (CNA).

For thousands of college students, SEEK 2026 was more than a conference; it was a call to bring faith, courage, and joy back to their campuses and communities. 

More than 16,100 students attended the Columbus, Ohio, event alone, part of a nationwide gathering by FOCUS that drew over 26,000 participants across Columbus, Denver, and Fort Worth, Texas. Over five days of Masses, adoration, talks, and fellowship, students were encouraged to reflect on how God is calling them to live their faith boldly in daily life.

The final day in Columbus featured keynotes from Catholic speaker and host of the Hallow app’s “Hallowed Be Thy Day” Lisa Cotter and Pete Burak, vice president of Renewal Ministries and co-director of Pine Hills Boy Camp. Their talks, like those of many presenters throughout the conference, focused on discipleship, evangelization, and a courageous response to God’s call.

Answering the call to evangelization

Cotter reflected on her first 250-person SEEK experience as a student over two decades ago, remembering: “I looked around thinking, ‘There are a lot of people here.’ Look at SEEK now with over 26,000 people! That’s ‘Jesus math.’”

Though she said she initially resisted a full-time mission with FOCUS out of fear, she eventually embraced the call to evangelize, sharing the faith with college students across the country. At SEEK, she encouraged participants to build relationships, live in truth, and invite others to encounter Jesus through the Holy Spirit. “Go home and do the same,” she said. “Tell them there’s a God who loves them, who sees them, who knows them, and who wants peace, joy, and hope for their lives.”

Burak, blending humor and personal reflection, echoed this call to action by using his experience on the University of Michigan basketball team to illustrate the importance of action. “I loved being on that team. I loved what we practiced — but when it came time to play, I hesitated,” he told students.

He drew a powerful lesson from St. Peter, whom he described as “brilliant, impulsive, chaotic. One moment he’s bold enough to walk on water, the next he sinks. He sees the Transfiguration and wants to build tents. He denies Jesus and then boldly proclaims him as Lord.”

Burak emphasized that Peter’s flaws did not disqualify him: “God can use our messy, impulsive, and broken parts to accomplish great things. Your mistakes, your doubts, your moments of fear — they don’t stop God from working through you. Look at Peter: impulsive, emotional, bold, scared. God said, ‘That’s exactly who I want.’”

He encouraged students to bring that courage home and to grow in faith while stepping into mission. “Growth fuels mission, and mission fuels growth. The Church and the world need you to say ‘yes,’ even when it feels messy or scary,” he said.

Students reflect on SEEK

For many attendees, this message as well as the conference as a whole left a lasting impression. Sydney Cushen, a student from Florida Atlantic University, described a radical conversion last year that led her to commit to attending SEEK. “I feel so at home here — like this is exactly where God wants me to be,” she said.

Her classmate Coreen Germinal, a returning attendee from last year’s Salt Lake City conference, reflected on the importance of community and personal encounters with God. “Adoration with 16,000 people was incredible. The priest with the monstrance walked directly in front of me — Jesus was right there, only a step away,” she said. She also noted the inspiration she found in unexpected reunions with friends and former mentors now living out their vocations.

Students from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Emmett McMorrow and Isaac Tremmel, highlighted the power of prayer and fellowship. “From the whole conference, I’ve learned that we’re not meant to do this alone. We need each other, and we need to all lean on the Lord together,” McMorrow said.

Tremmel added: “There’s a greater appreciation for peace and silence. Even in the busyness, we were encouraged to take time in our lives to pray.”

Gabriel Wiechart from Michigan State University said the conference’s joy and respect among attendees stood out. “All the religious sisters and priests seem very joyful, and the students seem very happy and grateful to be here,” he said. “I hope my fellow MSU students and I can bring that back with us. That Christ-like joy naturally draws people in.”

‘Do not be afraid’

In the closing Mass, Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, urged students to continue seeking Christ in daily life. Drawing on the feast of St. John Neumann, he encouraged them to trust God’s call, saying: “Do not be afraid. When Jesus calls you to follow him, he will give you the strength to persevere in whatever path he calls you to follow.”

The bishop also referenced Servant of God Michelle Duppong, a former FOCUS missionary whose cause for canonization is open, noting: “God continues to raise up saints for his Church today. Your life, your witness, can be part of that story.”

He reminded students that their faith was not merely for themselves but for the communities they would return to: their campuses, workplaces, and families. “Will people notice a difference in the way we live our lives?” he asked. “Will they see the joy of God’s love in our hearts, manifested in the fervent practice of our faith and in the way we treat each other with compassion and love?”

Bringing SEEK home

As students prepared to leave Columbus, the challenge of SEEK remained clear: Faith is not meant to stay at the conference. Cotter and Burak, along with Paprocki and the other speakers and religious leaders throughout the week, emphasized a life of discipleship grounded in courage, prayer, and relationships. 

For young people, the takeaways were already taking root. 

“No matter where you go, there is space for faithful young adults. I also realized ways I can be bolder in sharing my faith,” Cushen said. 

Germinal added: “The Church is not dead — it’s very much alive, and the next generation is being actively formed.”

The practice of closing the Holy Doors at the conclusion of the Jubilee, established in 1975 and simplified by Pope Saint John Paul II during the Holy Year of 2000, is followed by the walling-up, which takes place privately around ten days later.

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Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and the Holy See’s official point man for the Jubilee, gives a round-up on the Holy Year during a press conference at the Vatican on Monday, January 5.

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WASHINGTON - Catholics nationwide are invited to pray “9 Days for Life,” an annual Respect Life novena starting Friday, January 16.

In the Catholic Church, a ‘novena’ consists of prayers over nine successive days, and this particular novena is an opportunity for prayer and penance in observance of the annual Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children on January 22.

All are invited to sign up! Participants may access the novena or subscribe to receive the daily prayers by email or text message in English at 9daysforlife.com or in Spanish at respectlife.org/9-dias-por-la-vida. 

Sponsored by the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the novena began in 2013 in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade—the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the United States. While the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization returned the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives at federal and state levels, continuing efforts are needed to protect children and their mothers from the tragedy of abortion. This is the fourteenth year the novena is taking place. Since the novena began, it has reached hundreds of thousands of people in over one hundred countries spanning six continents.

The overarching intention of the novena is the end to abortion. Each daily prayer intention highlights a related topic and is accompanied by a reflection, educational information, and suggested daily actions. A resource kit is available, featuring the daily prayer intentions and reflections, in both English and Spanish. A press kit is also available.

For additional information and updates throughout the novena, please follow us on Instagram (@USCCB), Facebook (@USCCB), TikTok (@USBishops), Threads (@USCCB), Bluesky (@usccbofficial.bsky.social) and X (@USCCB).

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- An estimated 33 million visitors and pilgrims came to the Vatican to celebrate the Jubilee Year, exceeding early forecasts, officials said at a news conference at the Vatican Jan. 5.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization's section for new evangelization and chief organizer of the 2025 Holy Year, said the figure is based on estimates from a study by Roma Tre University, online registrations for the Holy Year, and the number of people who passed through the Holy Doors of Rome's major basilicas and attended papal events. 

By the time the Holy Year ends Jan. 6, he said, at least 33 million people will have taken part, which breaks down to more than 90,000 people a day. The period with the most pilgrims in Rome was during the Jubilee of Young People from July 21 to Aug. 10, which registered more than 13 million people. 

Early estimates had expected that the Jubilee Year would bring 30 million to 35 million visitors to the Vatican. The city saw about 22 million people come to Rome in 2024, Roberto Gualtieri, mayor of Rome, said during the news conference. 

Based on data collected solely from registered pilgrims, visitors from the United States ranked second only to Italy, accounting for nearly 13 percent of the total number of registered visitors, Archbishop Fisichella said. Pilgrims from more than 185 countries participated in the Jubilee Year.

"It is inevitable that such a milestone also brings with it an assessment of this year, which in many respects has been extraordinary. Begun under Pope Francis, the Jubilee concludes under Pope Leo XIV," the archbishop said in Italian. "The funeral and the new election were added to the entire Jubilee program, showing the whole world the ability to act with determination and confidence amid an exceptional series of events."

Archbishop Fisichella thanked Rome's officials for their hard work in supporting the inflow of visitors, and said that the increase also led to increased visitor rates across the city's tourist sites.

Gualtieri agreed, saying it was a year of unprecedented tourism across the city. To accommodate the Jubilee Year and the influx of visitors, construction crews completed 110 projects across Rome, including the restoration of historic squares, monuments and holy sites. 

Lamberto Giannini, Rome's prefect, who coordinates maintaining law and order in the city, said that city and Vatican teams worked together to complete the many construction projects "without serious accidents or workplace injuries and with extensive oversight to prevent mafia infiltration -- something clearly possible given the scale of the investments."

Vatican leaders have already begun planning the next Jubilee Year, which will take place in 2033 to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

"The journey, therefore, is not finished," Archbishop Fisichella said. "This was only a significant step, preparing the way for another event of grace that must be planned with foresight and a strong awareness of an upcoming global event."
 

At least 114 people have lost their lives in the past week as Sudan's army and paramilitary forces clash in Darfur, according to local medical sources.

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The United Nations says its humanitarian aid plans for Yemen are only 25 percent funded, despite increasing needs and the near-collapse of the health system.

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At the Holy Innocents BPSS Centre, in the rural town of Timau in Kenya, religious sisters and lay professionals work together to help people battling addiction and mental health challenges. Known in the community as the “Friends of the Drunkards,” the sisters combine faith, science, and compassion to heal wounded lives and restore hope where society had once given up.

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The Epiphany of the Lord All the nations of the earth will adore the one King.  Christ blesses us as we close out the Christmas season.  The magi represent us as we are dismissed to go out to the rest of the world.