Tens of thousands of young Catholics from across England and Wales, including many from our diocese, gathered at the OVO Arena Wembley for the 5th CYMFed Flame Congress.

The event was held 150 days before the 37th World Youth Day—to be held in Lisbon in August, with the theme “Rise Up!”, an echo of the WYD Scripture passage: “Mary arose and went with haste”.

Pope Francis sent his greetings and encouragement to participants in the youth event.

The Holy Father assured the young Catholics of his “spiritual closeness” and prayed that “Almighty God will richly bless their time together”.

He expressed his hopes that “through adoration, music, testimonies, and the sharing of friendship with Christ and with one another, all present will grow strong in faith and love and bear witness courageously to the Gospel message that sets us free.”

The Pope also urged them to hasten to respond to the Lord’s call to follow him, as did Mary the Mother of God.

“Dare to be different [and] point to ideals other than those of this world, testifying to the beauty of generosity, service, purity, perseverance, forgiveness, fidelity to our personal vocation, prayer, the pursuit of justice and the common good, love for the poor, and social friendship.”

Pope Francis wrapped up his message by entrusting the young English and Welsh Catholics and their families “to the intercession of Our Lady of Walsingham” and offered them his “blessing as a pledge of wisdom, joy, and peace in Jesus the Lord.”

Rising up as young Catholics

According to the event’s website, Flame 2023 is an opportunity to “Rise up after the pandemic, Rise up as young Catholics, Rise up—as Mary did—for the surprising and beautiful adventure that is our Catholic faith.”

Guest speakers include Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Filipino-born Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, and Archbishop Timothy Costelloe of Perth.

Award-winning rapper Guvna B, a huge hit at Flame 2019, took to the stage, as did talented singer-songwriter Adenike, who made such a big impression on ITV’s The Voice

One Hope Project, a creative collective encouraging fresh expressions of worship in the Catholic Church, also performed, as did Faith Child, a MOBO-award-winning rapper. 

Brenden Thompson and Georgia Clarke from Catholic Voices spoke about the need to talk with charity and clarity about the Church. 

For more information about Flame visit cymfed.org.uk/flame.

Source: vatincannews.va