Some experiences are hard to put into words, and this year’s Ignite Conference in Brisbane was one of them.

Ignite Youth gathers, forms and sends out Catholics who are on fire for Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, grounded in faith and centred on the Eucharist and Ignite Conference is the flagship event of this national ministry born in our own Archdiocese of Brisbane.

Ignite Conference is not only for young people. The 2026 conference, themed ‘Ascend’ (the mountain of the Lord), offered spiritual, emotional, intellectual and relational enrichment for all ages.

Morning and Evening Rallies featured engaging keynote speakers Dcn Peter Pellicaan, Kim Keady, Fr Will Aupito Iuliano and Samuel Clear among others. Their messages were for everyone seeking to know God more personally. All the keynotes are available to view on the Shalom World YouTube, website or app.

Each day featured seminars and workshops for both young people and adults. While it’s hard for the OLR group to choose a single highlight, we all returned changed, and the moments below are our many “equal #1” favourites.

The music was profoundly moving, carrying both vibrancy and sacredness, reflecting the palpable presence of the Holy Spirit over the entire gathering.

Celebration of the Mass – WOW! Seeing so many priests process into the auditorium alongside Archbishop Shane Mackinlay on Friday lunchtime was a powerful and beautiful experience of the Eucharist. The weekend also offered daily opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Prayer Ministry on Saturday morning and evening, and a deeply moving time of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Friday evening. Imagine 1500 people in a tiered auditorium unified in sacred, reverent adoration of our God…

Brett Forde, who joined our parish delegation to Ignite, shared this reflection:

“I strongly recommend Ignite to anyone who has just finished Alpha and is wondering, “What next?” I’d also recommend it to anyone who might be feeling a little dry in their faith, or who feels like they’ve fallen into the same pattern of Mass on Sunday and not much else. If that sounds like you, give Ignite a go. Save up for it, make the commitment, and get yourself to Ignite 2027: Surrounded.”

Dates are not yet fully confirmed for next year, but Brisbane Conference is usually on the middle weekend of September Holidays (Thursday to Sunday). I encourage you to take up the challenge and put aside the time next year to invest in your faith future. If you want to find out more, have a chat with someone who attended or watch some of the livestreamed rallies for yourself by scanning the QR code in this newsletter.

Beth Davies & Marie Bampton – On Behalf of the Faith and Formation team.