The Vatican released additional details about the next World Meeting of Families, which will be held in Rome from June 22 to 26, 2022. The event was postponed by one year because of the pandemic. And there have been some modifications to its usual structure.
POPE FRANCIS
'The encounter will take on a multi-centered and widespread format that will encourage the involvement of diocesan communities all over the world.'
In other words, to engage those who cannot travel to Rome, each diocese will have to organize the World Meeting of Families locally.
CARD. KEVIN FARRELL
Prefect, Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life
“Nine months separate us from the event. There is still plenty of time for dioceses to organize activities dedicated especially to the family.”
Catecheses about the family will be made widely available online. Bishops and priests are encouraged to organize prayer meetings and other activities specifically for families.
GABRIELLA GAMBINO
Undersecretary, Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life
“We have to make families the protagonists throughout this year dedicated to them. That means welcoming them and giving them the possibility to collaborate with priests in carrying out pastoral work for the family.”
The 2,000 delegates sent by dioceses and international ecclesial movements will gather in Rome. The Pope will meet with them and listen to their stories the evening of Wednesday, June 22, in Paul VI Hall. The Pope will celebrate the closing Mass on Saturday, the 25th, in St. Peter's Square. He is not celebrating it on Sunday in order to allow people who cannot travel to Rome to attend their local bishop's closing Mass celebration on Sunday.
JRB
