Join the Chicago Archdiocesan Pilgrimage at:
NCYC Fully Alive Thursday, November 16 — Sunday, November 19, 2023
The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) is a biannual event held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.
High schoolers are invited to join 30,000 of their peers from across the United States for this electrifying pilgrimage, filled with opportunities for worship, music, speakers, a thematic park, and more.
We are excited to once again be taking a Pilgrimage from the Chicago Archdiocese to NCYC.
For more information about the event itself click here for more information.
Please email [email protected] with any questions.
This section will be updated regularly as new information becomes available. Group leaders: be on the lookout for the leader guide coming soon.
Price increases reflect ticket price schedule from NFCYM. See here for details.
The sooner you register the more you save! Price includes:
- Ticket for NCYC
- Hotel accommodation for three nights
- Transportation to and from Indianapolis via coach bus
- Three breakfasts, one late-night snack
- Archdiocese of Chicago pilgrimage gift
You should also plan on bringing about $100 for meals and souvenirs.
If you are a group who isn’t taking our transportation or staying at the hotel the cost per person is $392.75. (This covers admission to conference and administration fees).
What is a pilgrimage and how is it different from a vacation?
We call our trip to NCYC a pilgrimage, not a vacation. We are not tourists, but pilgrims. A pilgrimage is a religious experience, we go to be changed. The top priority is not comfort, in fact you will probably be uncomfortable at some point. We go to learn more about ourselves and our relationship with God.
Who can come?
NCYC is intended for a high school audience. Teens who participate must be a high school student (grades 9-12). Each group that attends must have adult chaperones as well.
How do I sign up?
For teens
Teens cannot sign up on their own. Reach out to your parish youth minister, Religious Education Director or pastor to join your parish pilgrimage group. If you’re at a Catholic high school, reach out to your campus minister. If your school or parish isn’t planning a trip, reach out to us ([email protected]) and we can connect you with a local pilgrimage group. Think about joining with a few friends and their parents to form your own group.
For group leaders
Group leaders must register everyone in their group, teens and chaperones cannot register themselves. Registration will open around March 1.
What about missing school?
Students will miss two days of school. The cardinal will provide an letter students can print and turn in to their schools for an excused absence.
Are there scholarships available?
Yes. There are three separate opportunities to apply for scholarships. Individuals can apply for a personal hardship scholarship. Parishes can apply for a scholarship. NFCYM also offers scholarships. Please see the FORMS section for all forms.
What can I expect at NCYC?
General Sessions
Worship with thousands of others at Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and other liturgies while also learning and growing through faith with amazing keynotes at general sessions.
Breakouts
Dive deeper into your faith and other topics with breakouts sessions of premier speakers and roundtable discussions.
Prayer
Take time during the conference for silent time in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Prayer is always at your fingertips at NCYC.
Exhibit Hall
Get some of the best Catholic merch, find out more about a college you're interested in, or meet some brothers and sisters from various religious orders all in the exhibit hall.
How will housing work?
In September, your parish will fill out a rooming request. Teens will be sleeping four to a room, adults will be two to a room and priests will have their own room. We will do our best to keep parishes together, but the hotel has final say. Teens and adults will not be sharing rooms (unless they are parent and child) and men and women cannot share rooms (unless they are married).
Once the bus drops you off at your hotel on Thursday afternoon/evening you will be walking everywhere until you’re picked up to head home on Sunday morning. Be prepared to do lots and lots of walking. Everything for NCYC (the conference center, Lucas Oil stadium, downtown restaurants, etc.) are all walkable from our hotel. Downtown Indianapolis was designed with pedestrians in mind.
Chicago’s delegation will be housed at the Westin Indianapolis (241 West Washington Street). We will not be at the JW Marriott (as in previous years). Our hotel is connected via an indoor tunnel over the street to the conference center.
- Archdiocese Participant agreement (adults and teens) coming soon!
- Compliance verification form (adults only)
- Archdiocese scholarship form
- NFCYM scholarship
