NCYC 2025

Funny hats show the joy of NCYC while messages feature the heart of youths’ faith

Vivian McCombs, left, Frankie Gotto and Addison Allaman of St. John Vianney Parish in Bettendorf, Iowa, in the Diocese of Davenport, show their state pride by wearing corn-in-the-husk headgear during the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis on Nov. 20-22. (Photo by John Shaughnessy)

By John Shaughnessy

When it comes to creative, attention-getting fashion that always makes people smile, participants at the National Catholic Youth Conference have a tradition of wearing a wide variety of headgear that adds another flavor of fun to the faith-filled event.

And that tradition has continued this year as the youths have showcased just about everything from pirate hats to headgear featuring pizza and tacos.

So, here’s a tip of the hat to some of our favorite headgear and the groups that have added an extra touch of joy to the conference.

The young woman from St. Rita Parish in Indianapolis who went old school with a red-and-white hat reminiscent of Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat.

The flashing and flashy sparkling pink cowboy hats of a group of female youths from the Diocese of Kansas City, Kan.

The show-your-state’s-pride of a group from St. John Vianney Parish in Bettendorf, Iowa, in the Diocese of Davenport, who rocked corn-in-the husk headgear.

And the group from the Diocese of Saint Cloud in Minnesota whose headgear featured flamingoes—a choice they couldn’t explain but that still made people smile.

Of course, there’s also a hometown nod to the floppy, black-and-white cow headgear that the 1,563 participants from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis turned into a fashion statement.

Yet while the hats always showcase their fun, it’s the T-shirts the youths wear that profess their faith.

Here’s a sampling of the faith-related T-shirts from this year’s conference:

“I saw the pope at NCYC.”

“Faith over fear.”

“Enjoy being Catholic.”

“In all things, give thanks.”

“Do all that you do with love.”

“Be saints.”

“Magnify like Mary.”

“Lead like Joan.”

“Love like Therese.”

“Life gave me lemons, but my Jesus, He be makin’ lemonade.”

“Be not afraid.”

“Destination heaven.”

“Created by the Creator.”

“I am a child of God.”

“Make beautiful things happen.” †

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