A contingent of teens from St. Viator Catholic Community and Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas were among the more than 20,000 high school students who attended this year’s National Catholic Youth Conference. The three-day gathering took place in Indianapolis and included speakers, music and powerful worship experiences.

One of this year’s highlights, says Associate Rosy Hartz, was the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which spontaneously drew teens to move down from their seats to kneel in prayer. “Never, ever, have I seen teens on their own move closer to Jesus,” Rosy said. “It truly was a moment I will never forget.”

In a recorded message to the teens, Pope Francis called the young people “the church of now” and they should make their voices heard. “Go,” he implored them, “go and take the Lord with you.”