27 Aug 2018
After a whirlwind week of WMOF celebrations in Dublin, this weekend’s Papal visit was the crowning glory on a truly wonderful occasion.
Saturday’s Festival of Families was a triumph, featuring a joyous, vibrant programme of music, song, and prayer. “One of the most significant and beautiful events within every World Meeting of Families is the Festival of Families, a very special concert-type event which, at its heart, celebrates families and their faith from all around the world”, says the official WMOF website, and Saturday’s event did not disappoint.
Pope Francis was an enthusiastic participant, overseeing performances with a smile and embracing all he met with his customary warmth. Merging charming Irish tradition with dazzling performances representing different cultures from all over the globe, the evening’s programme featured “community-based artists as well as some well-known local and international artists, joined by an orchestra of over 50 musicians; over 700 Irish, sean nós and contemporary dancers, including 500 from Irish dance schools across the country; a 1,000 strong choir; 100 community groups; and 300 flag bearers” – a feast for the eyes and the ears in every way!
The week’s events brought families flocking to Dublin from across the globe. “We met families from Indonesia, Paraguay, Taiwan, and Brazil, among many others,” says Fr Alan Neville MSC, who attended the celebrations throughout the week. “The energy there was amazing.”
The Festival of Families also addressed the challenges faced by families in today’s society with a heartfelt poignancy. “Throughout the Festival of Families, we looked at the challenges faced by families,” Fr Alan says. “There were powerful testimonies from families from Iraq, Canada, Burkina Faso, and Ireland.”
As highlighted by the WMOF website, these family testimonies focused on “how their families have sustained and nourished them with hope and love through the most challenging and momentous times of their lives. Their testimonies focus on forgiveness, strength, and hope in family life; the intergenerational nature of families today; and the impact of technology on family life.” The overriding message is one of unity, hope, and, above all, love.
Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is hope. Amen.
On Sunday, Fr Alan attended the Papal Mass in Phoenix Park, braving the bad weather with hundreds of thousands of worshippers from all over the world. Checking in on the MSC Vocations Facebook page, Fr Alan posted: “Sunday Mass with a couple of hundred thousand people. You know, as you do! The Pope has arrived and it’s incredible.”
“Incredible” is the only word to sum up a very special weekend indeed. Ireland has been a proud host to the 2018 World Meeting of Families, and everybody involved has done a tremendous job in making the entire week one to remember. Fr Alan says it in a nutshell:
“This whole week has been about celebrating the Church with one another, old friends and new, and with the Pope. It has been wonderful.”
Read more about Fr Alan’s time at WMOF 2018 here.
Visit Shalom World TV to watch video coverage from the week’s events.
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