Youth rally will offer tips to participants on how to navigate a difficult world

Friday, Aug. 15, 2025

SALT LAKE CITY — A three-day youth rally to equip young Catholics with tools to navigate the challenges of today’s world while staying grounded in their faith will be hosted by the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

With the theme “Healing My Inner Child,” the rally will also celebrate young saints. It will be Sept. 14-16 at St. Ann Catholic Church. The rally will kick off with a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Oscar A. Solis to honor the canonization of Carlo Acutis, which is scheduled for Sept. 7.

Then, on Sept. 15, participants will spend the day exploring how to heal their “inner child” with two local Catholic mental health counselors, Jason Dausses and Eve Nigro.

“This is an opportunity for them to really come to understand the Lord better by what he expects of us, as a youth, as a child of God,” said Michael Edwards, director of the diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry. 

At the rally, Dausses and Nigro will adapt a known program to focus specifically on the struggles young people face, such as peer pressure, drugs and pornography, Edwards said.

The rally will provide a “toolkit for them to help battle those sins that come up so often with our youth today,” Edwards said. 

The schedule includes hands-on activities like journal writing and the use of fidget toys to help participants engage with the material.

On the final day, Sept. 16, the focus will shift to a deep dive into the lives of four young saints: St. Carlo Acutis, St. Maria Goretti, St. Jose Sanchez Del Rio and St. Anthony of Padua. The rally will closely examine how their lives demonstrate the importance of the Eucharist, faith and forgiveness, Edwards said.

This three-day retreat is part of a new direction for the diocese’s youth ministry. Edwards hopes it will be the first of many multi-day summer retreats offered in the coming years.

WHAT: Youth Rally “Healing My Inner Child”

WHEN: Friday, Sept 12, 6-9 p.m.

            Saturday, Sept 13, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

            Sunday, Sept 14, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: St. Ann Catholic Church, 450 East 2100 South, Salt Lake City

COST: Free; donations accepted. Lunch will be provided.

Scan the QR code to register and for donation details.