ROCKPORT — The annual Catholic Youth Convention drew hundreds on April 26 to 28.

“I wanted to deepen my relationship with God and further it,” said Autumn Poulin, who attends Corpus Christi, Waterville.

It was a shared desire for many of the 250 Maine teenagers that gathered for the  convention at the Samoset Resort.

The convention welcomed young people from around the diocese who wanted to spend a weekend with their peers, learning about God in a fun, faith-filled and comfortable environment.

For this year’s convention, the theme was “The Amazing Race of Faith.” Teen leaders selected it to communicate that a life of faith in Christ is a great adventure, drawing the theme from Scripture: ‘I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith’ (2 Timothy 4:7).

On Saturday, attendees participated in “The Amazing Race of Faith” Adventure Scavenger Hunt, which was modeled after the reality TV show, “The Amazing Race.”

The weekend also featured workshops, music, prayer and other activities, including a Sunday Mass celebrated by Monsignor Andrew Dubois, moderator of the Curia.

Jackie Francois, a singer/songwriter and worship leader from California, provided the keynote speech on Saturday and entertained with worship music throughout the convention. Francois shared her personal story of how she faced and overcame peer pressure during her first years of college, telling the teenagers that God does not want them to be “lukewarm about being Catholic.”

“If you want true happiness and true joy and peace, it only comes from a life knowing God,” said Francois.

The annual convention is open to youth in grades nine to 12 and their adult chaperones (21+).