The 2016 Diocesan Youth Convention, titled "Know Mercy," is all wrapped up and in the books, but you can relive the memories in our new exclusive photo gallery.

Over 800 high schoolers found themselves surrounded by mercy during the 64th annual diocesan Youth Convention. The teens, in turn, offered their own mercy through service projects and prayer.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (CNA/EWTN News) - Sabrina Puig is eight years old. Due to a rare condition, she only has half a heart. But when Pope Francis passed by, she ran to him.

MORELIA, MEXICO (CNA/EWTN News) - In his visit to Morelia - one of Mexico's most violent cities - Pope Francis had a strong message for the country's youth: rather than allowing themselves to be used and trampled on, he told them to recognize their value and to place their hope in Jesus.

Mount St. Mary Academy teamed up with area schools in the spirit of jazz. Three Catholic high schools and three public high schools played on the same bill at a jazz festival at Banchetti by Rizzo's, Saturday, Jan. 30, beginning at 6 p.m.

Teens from across the diocese will get to "Know Mercy" at this year's diocesan youth convention. Pope Francis' call for a Jubilee Year of Mercy throughout 2016 inspired the theme of the 64th annual gathering of Catholic teens.

As time speeds by, World Youth Day gets closer and closer. The international gathering of Catholic teens and young adults will take place in less than eight months.

Canisius High School juniors Joe Arno and Warren Arno, and Canisius High School senior Joe McEachon will each be awarded the highest rank of the Boy Scouts of America on Sunday, January 24, in an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony.

The town of Alden looked a lot like Poland when St. John the Baptist Parish held a special Polka Mass and dinner dance in January. World Youth Day pilgrims hosted the Polish Heritage Dancers and served up kielbasa and pierogi to raise funds for the summer pilgrimage to Krakow.

Bishop Richard Malone's latest "Consider This" reflects on the Year of Mercy, how it relates to young people and the value of attending the 2016 Diocesan Youth Convention

A senior at Canisius High School in Buffalo turned his craftsmanship skills into a project that reflects his Catholic faith on the grounds of his home parish. Joseph McEachon, 17, made an outdoor Stations of the Cross display at St. Gregory the Great Parish in Williamsville for his Eagle Scout project.

Washington D.C., Nov 25, 2015 / 04:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- For a veteran runner who's completed 21 marathons, one bishop sees a deep connection between his Catholic faith and running, and says this connection can even evangelize young people.

TONAWANDA - When Jeremiah Martinez was 3 years old, his mother enrolled him in a tap dance class to help his motor skills. Twelve years later, his love of and devotion to dance led him to win fourth place in a recent national solo dance competition in Hollywood, Fla., sponsored by American Dance Awards.

Teens are invited to A Night of Faith, Hope and Love, led by Carrie Ford and John Wilde, on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Mary Swormville Parish Center, 6919 Transit Road, East Amherst. Students in grades six through 12 are encouraged to attend.

Before going to Poland for World Youth Day, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish brought a little bit of Poland to Orchard Park. The parish welcomed a group of dancers who hail from "The Land of the Fields."

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - Ahead of next year's World Youth Day in Krakow, the long-time secretary for Pope John Paul II explained how the saint inspired a generation even though many never saw him in person.

In 1984, Pope John Paul II called more than 300,000 young people to St. Peter's Square for an international jubilee of youth. There he entrusted to all youth the care of the World Youth Day cross. This cross has traveled the globe, serving as a centerpiece for World Youth Day celebrations in Denver, Manila, Paris, Toronto, Cologne, Madrid, Sydney, Rio, and soon Krakow. The Diocese of Buffalo has mirrored that tradition with its own WYD cross, that is now traveling from parish to parish in preparation for next year's Poland pilgrimage.

HAVANA, CUBA (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis set aside his prepared remarks to respond to the dreams and hopes of young people who spoke to him in Cuba on Sunday evening.

The Annunciation Strong Start Early Learning Academy's new "Mommy and Me" program will host an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7580 Clinton St., Elma. The program takes place in Annunciation's former school building.

ASUNCIÓN, PARAGUAY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis tossed aside his prepared remarks in a talk to thousands of Paraguay's young people - urging the crowd to go against the cultural current and to live for Jesus with a "free heart."

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) - For those pilgrims thinking about participating in World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow, Poland, Bishop Frank Caggiano has a message: It will be worth the sacrifice.

History has shown dictators don't have a lot of success in the long run. Christian leadership, however, has been going strong for 2000 years.

Members of the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministry made a trip to Poland to prepare for World Youth Day 2016 in Kraków.

One early morning in May, a contingent from Newfane began a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Fatima Shine in Lewiston, 15 miles away. The journey was to prepare, both physically and spiritually, for the welcoming of the graces of World Youth Day.

At an early 8 a.m. on May 16, a contingent from Newfane began a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Fatima Shine in Lewiston, 15 miles away. The journey was to prepare, both physically and spiritually, for the welcoming of the graces of World Youth Day.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan and Bishop Richard J. Malone joined together today to introduce the Parental Choice in Education Act, a revised version of the Education Tax Credit bill. Educators and students alike gathered together at Eggertsville Youth and Community Center to hear of the common goal of religion and government.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - This question was part of a special question and answer session with the Bishop of Rome touching on a wide range of themes - from the link between greed and war, to arguments with siblings, and the role of religion in promoting peace in the world.

Since the 13th century, the month of May has been especially dedicated to Our Blessed Lady, Mother Mary. This is often seen as a dedication to new life. Especially after our cold winter, everyone is hoping that spring will finally roll around - that the classic saying "April showers bring May flowers" will come true. May is also the culmination of a long decision-making process for many seniors that brings a sort of new life - where to attend college.

St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute is proud to announce that senior Andrew Siaw-Asamoah was named a 2014-15 National Merit Achievement Scholarship winner. He will receive one of 7,600 National Merit Scholarships, worth approximately $33 million.

A year ago, Father Jacek Mazur, pastor of St. Mary of the Cataract and Divine Mercy Parishes in Niagara Falls, was looking for a program to reach the youth of his city parishes. He wanted it to be fun and faithful to the teachings of the Church. Father Mazur knew that many children were not getting much exposure to the faith, and this new youth ministry might be a "candle in the darkness."

More than 50 members of the St. Mary's High School community, including members of the student senate, faculty, staff and parents, spent a recent Saturday morning on the West Side of Buffalo cleaning and furnishing a home for a refugee family.

There's something to smile about at Mount St. Mary Academy. The Kenmore school has launched a project designed to boost the self-confidence of the students and lift the spirits of the community. The MSM Friends of Rachel Club started a Pocket Paper Project asking every student to think of an affirmation, then "Write It, Read It, Believe It."

The Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity at Stella Niagara are providing an after-school tutoring program for young children in Niagara Falls.

At the beginning of this past summer, I attended the Christian Leadership Institute in preparation for being on Youth Board. I was quite excited, and couldn't wait to start up the year full of fun events including Witness the Spirit, Da Bounce and, especially,

Last weekend was the annual Diocesan Youth Convention, Restore 2015, which drew about 850 teens to the Adam's Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo. Relive some top moments in our exclusive photo gallery.

On the eve of St. Valentine's Day, the same day that "50 Shades of Grey" opened, the 63rd annual diocesan Youth Convention also opened. As a reaction to the hedonist message that society gives teenagers, the convention held the theme of Restore.

Approximately 700 Catholic youth and adult chaperones will be in attendance at the 63rd annual Diocesan Youth Conference this weekend. This year's theme is "Restore."

As Valentine's Day approaches I try to reflect on my life and how I follow in Jesus' example in loving all people and especially God. The most important rule Jesus gave us was "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

St. Mary's High School senior Leah Meyer received the Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year Award for New York State. The 6'3" middle also announced her plans to attend Duke University at the Jan. 9 presentation.

What draws teenagers into a life of faithful church worship? The answers might surprise you.