GOLDSBORO, N.C. — Three hundred registrants were joined by 100 walk-ins March 14 at the 2026 Fearless C.I.C.M. Youth Encounter. Held on the grounds of St. Mary Parish, the event was originally scheduled for Jan. 31, but postponed due to winter storms.
It was organized by the St. Catherine of Siena Lifeteen Youth Core team from Tarboro in collaboration with other five parishes, including Our Lady of the Rosary (Louisburg) and St. Mary (Goldsboro), led by priests who belong to the C.I.C.M. Missionaries order. The Renovación Misionera worship team, a musical group based in Raleigh, was another organizer.
Attendees came from other eight parishes in the diocese as well, including Mother of Mercy in Washington, Our Lady of La Vang in Raleigh and St. Brendan in Shallotte.
According to organizers, the day included a welcome, Mass, lunch, Eucharistic Adoration and themed sessions. Abel Contreras and Dulce Berduo offered sessions about “God in our history” that related to topics such as how God intentionally created all people, and how people are called to live their gifts fully on the path to sainthood. Gabby Del Rio offered the second session, which was themed “Young and Bold” and focused on saints’ lives and heroic virtue.
Organizers shared that they selected for discussion saints who were “young and exemplified boldness and fearlessness.” Those included St. Francis of Assisi, St. Tarcisius, St. José Sánchez del Río, St. Carlo Acutis, St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Kateri Tekakwitha. They also discussed Blessed Columba Kang Wan-suk, who was beatified in 2014.
Photos
Except where noted, photos by Greg Mintel. Click or tap photos to view full images.
