This year’s Youthfest was celebrated Feb. 6. The theme was finding one’s vocation. Although there were no acrobatics, the event featured plenty of entertainment, including comedy, eucharistic adoration and music by Massive Worship. It also featured speakers who challenged youth to embrace the vocation God is calling them to, whether that is single life, married life or religious life.

Jeremy Lobo, a missionary with Catholic Christian Outreach who with his wife Caroline spoke about  marriage, was amazed by the enthusiasm of the youth.

“Their faith was so authentic and so genuine,” Lobo said. “There was this little girl I saw, who must have been in Grade 3 or 4, whose sincerity really touched me. She had such great faith in the Lord.”

Lobo, 25, said that God called him to marriage.

“I feel called to marriage,” Lobo says. “I feel the Lord led Caroline and I there. It all comes down to where the Lord’s calling you to go in your life. ”

His wife, 23, agrees.

“Marriage is my specific path to holiness,” she said. “The way that God is purifying me and sanctifying me for heaven is through this vocation.”

She also said that marriage, like all vocations, reflects the Catholic calling to sacrifice oneself for others.

“Whether you’re a priest, married or single, (when fulfilling a vocation) your life is for others. In marriage you’re putting someone else before yourself.”

Those who spoke about the vocation of religious life also enjoyed the event.

“The event was a wonderful experience with everyone coming together and praising God,” said Vicki Wright, 28, who is applying to enter the Sisters of the Cross religious order. “It confirms my belief that the youth are ready to seek God and to do His will.”

Indeed, this event caused many youth to consider a vocation. Nineteen-year-old John Flores said he believes his vocation might be marriage or the priesthood, although he prefers marriage.

“Marriage is the best option I could ever have,” Flores said. “Having someone to love forever is amazing.”

Another youth, 16-year-old Monica Meuse, said she doesn’t know what her vocation is, but is ready to accept it when the time comes.

“I’ve learned to trust God and to fully commit my life to Him,” Meuse said. “I’ve also found the will to act on this trust through prayer and thoughtful reflection.”

Many participants felt the goal of a deeper relationship with Christ was achieved.

“There was a lot of energy and a lot of passion,” said Malusi Mabalaka, the event’s emcee. “It’s an awesome way to reach out to youth. The message of Christ was conveyed in an exciting way. It’s all about having trust in God.”

(Mair, 18, is a first-year journalism student at Carleton University in Ottawa.)