Holy Fire Chicago

Emcee: Rhyan Ramirez

Rhyan Ramirez is a dynamic speaker, facilitator and mentor who breaks down barriers with his uplifting presentations and workshops, creating authentic connections with youth and adults and inspiring them to make positive changes in their lives. Weaving personal narratives, laugh-out-loud humor, and even hip-hop music into his presentations, Rhyan creates a safe space for his audiences to let their guard down so that meaningful conversations can take place. Using his charisma, vulnerability and audience attunement, he invites others to reflect on the choices they’ve made and relationships they have, and plants seeds of inspiration for them to harvest later.

To learn more about Rhyan Ramirez, visit his website at brorhy.com/about.

General Questions

What is Holy Fire?

Holy Fire is a powerful moment of encounter, worship and fun for young people in grades 6 through 9. It also offers our youth preparing for the sacrament of confirmation an engaging and significant experience of the broader Church to which they and their parish or school belong.

Why participate in Holy Fire?

The Holy Father challenges our communities to become missionary disciples who are not afraid to witness the faith. We believe that a joint witness of thousands of young people and their prayers will indeed help young people to see themselves as witnesses of Christ and members of a young Church. In addition, to continue to affirm the significance of this experience to our young confirmation candidates, participating parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago will receive priority scheduling for their upcoming year confirmations.

Who can attend?

All 6th to 9th grade students from parish Religious Education programs and Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago and neighboring dioceses, together with their teachers, catechists, youth ministers, chaperones, parents and pastors are invited.

When and where is Holy Fire?

The Credit Union 1 Arena will be our host for Holy Fire November 2, 2024. Doors will open at 8:15 a.m. with the event itself starting at 9:30 a.m., and the program will end at 3 p.m.

How much does it cost to attend Holy Fire?

Similar to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), this will be designed around a community of prayer, witness and joy. The Archdiocese of Chicago will provide world-class production, music and international speakers. Cost of the event will be $40 per person (lunch and transportation costs are not included). Parishes and schools demonstrating economic need can apply for a discounted ticket price of $20 by emailing [email protected] with a brief explanation of economic need.

How do I register for Holy Fire?

You can visit the Holy Fire website (HolyFireChicago.org) to register, or click here.

Who is the talent for this year’s Holy Fire?

This year’s talent includes Bishop Hicks, Maggie Craig, Rhyan Ramirez, Giancarlo Bernini, and PJ Anderson. For more information on this year’s talent lineup, please visit the Holy Fire website (HolyFireChicago.org).

Is there a virtual experience available for this year’s Holy Fire?

Holy Fire is a live event. While we were grateful to able to offer a virtual experience in 2021 due to the state of the pandemic at the time, Holy Fire was always intended as an in-person moment of encounter and worship for youth across the Archdiocese of Chicago and beyond. Therefore, there will not be any virtual component to this year’s Holy Fire; there will be no live streaming or recording of the event.

When will the next Holy Fire Chicago be?

Holy Fire will occur every other year, meaning youth should attend only once as part of their two-year confirmation preparation process. The next event will occur in the fall of 2026.

Planning Questions

How do we get to Holy Fire?

All parishes, schools and organizations must coordinate and provide their own transportation to and from the event.

Where is the bus drop-off for Holy Fire?

Busses will drop off at the Credit Union 1 Arena along Harrison Street. Participants will enter through gate 3 located at Harrison and South Racine Avenue. There will be volunteers directing you as you arrive.

Where do we park for Holy Fire?

Busses will be able to park in a lot across from the venue for the duration of the event. Please drop off your participants before parking.

If your group is driving themselves and arriving in cars, street parking or a pay parking lot is available.

If my group is not traveling together in one vehicle to Holy Fire, where should we meet upon arrival?

You can either meet-up outside the Credit Union 1 Arena by gate 3 (the only gate that will be open for entrance) or inside gate 3 in the foyer of the building before check-in.

How do I get my tickets for Holy Fire?

You will get your group’s tickets for Holy Fire at the event. When you arrive, you will send one group leader to the check-in (directly inside the doors of the entrance at gate 3) to receive the tickets for your whole group.

Can individual young people attend Holy Fire?

Young people should primarily be attending in a group with either their Parish Religious Education or Catholic School. A parent can bring their individual child to Holy Fire in special cases where their parish or school is not attending Holy Fire. A child cannot attend Holy Fire without an adult chaperone.

What forms do parents need to fill out for their children to attend Holy Fire?

We recommend parents for children in the Archdiocese of Chicago fill out the Archdiocese of Chicago general Permission Form and Participation Agreement for their children and give to their group leader. You would put Holy Fire in the second blank where it says, “during its participation in the ___________ event.” They also will need to fill out anything else that is required by their particular parish or school.

What requirements do my chaperones need to fulfill to attend Holy Fire?

All chaperones will need to be VIRTUS certified and complete all the archdiocese safe environment guidelines and requirements to chaperone the event.

What should the ratio of adults to young people be?

While there is no ratio requirement beyond requiring at least two adult chaperones per group, we recommend a ratio of one adult to every 10 students.

Will lunch be provided?

All participants and chaperones are responsible for bringing their own lunch to Holy Fire. 

What should we wear to Holy Fire?

There is no specific uniform required for Holy Fire. Casual attire is permitted as along as all clothes are appropriate. Closed-toed shoes are encouraged.

How will we know where to sit for Holy Fire?

Seating will be on a first come, first served basis. Once your group arrives at the arena you will be able to choose to sit together in any available area.

Registration Questions

How do I find out what my Parish ID is?

For parishes and schools located in the Archdiocese of Chicago, your parish’s business manager is the one that has access to your Parish ID code. Please reach out to them if you are unsure of what your code is. For parishes or schools outside the Archdiocese of Chicago, you can enter “00000” as the parish code and it will let you continue through to the next step of registration.

How do I demonstrate economic hardship?

Parishes demonstrating economic need may apply for a discounted ticket price of $20 by emailing [email protected] with a brief explanation of their economic need. Factors to cite may include (but not be limited to): A parish with a reduced Annual Catholic Appeal goal, a Big Shoulders supported school, the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, etc.

For additional information, please email [email protected] or call 312.534.3700.

Should I register my whole group, or can each participant register themselves?

Each leader should collect the necessary information and register their whole group for Holy Fire.

Can I make adjustments to my ticket quantities?

Yes, but we will need a final count of tickets by October 7. After October 7, the number of tickets you register for will be your total cost. This cost will be sent to the Finance Department.

How do I pay for Holy Fire?

Billing and payment will be completed through the December monthly parish/school billing process. The Events Team will email the group leader an invoice for your records. Your total cost will be sent to the Finance Department to be paid.

What are the deadlines for Holy Fire?

Requests for discounted tickets based on economic need must be submitted to [email protected] by September 20.

Registration and ticket quantity changes are due by October 7.

After October 7, no refunds or changes will be provided.

For additional information, please email [email protected].

FAQ (PDF)

Similar to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), this will be designed around a community of prayer, witness and joy. The Archdiocese of Chicago will provide world-class production, music and international speakers.

Cost of the event will be $40 per person (lunch and transportation costs are not included). Parishes and schools demonstrating economic need can apply for a discounted ticket price of $20 by emailing [email protected] with a brief explanation of economic need.