EUROPE/SPAIN - 5th World Meeting of Families in July 2006 in Valencia: official prayer and prayer intentions

Thursday, 2 February 2006

Valencia (Fides Service) - The official prayer in view of the 5th World Meeting of Families WMF in July 2006 in Valencia can be seen at http://www.wmf2006.org. The prayer was composed by the Spanish Bishops’ commission for the family together with the Valencia diocesan Committee for Liturgy. Besides the official prayer, the organisers also launched special prayer intentions circulated to the parishes in the archdiocese with a request to insert these prayers in Sunday Masses until the important ecclesial event convoked by the Holy Father for 1-9 July. The prayers are based on Pope Benedict XVI’s teachings and writings in the family and the aim is to foster a spirit of prayer in these six months leading to the event.
In the meantime efforts to promote awareness of the event and its importance. Bishop Esteban Escudero Auxiliary of Valencia, presented the WMF Meeting to a group of teachers from various universities in Valencia to encourage participation of students and teaching staff. The Valencia Association of the Family and Large Families (AVAFAM), with about 1,500 member families, launched a participant-hosting families campaign. AVAFAM president underlined the traditional generosity and hospitality of large families and recalled that the WMF is an opportunity to demonstrate it.
The World Meeting of Families will open on with an International Family Fest 1-7 July. Other events include three congresses at the same time: an international Theological-Pastoral Congress on family themes and how to hand on the faith in the family; a Children’s Congress (16-25 years) to discuss the problems facing youth and find solutions; a Grandparents Congress to highlight and encourage the essential and irreplaceable role of grandparents.
On 8 July there will celebrations of Mass for various language groups followed by a gathering of festivity and testimonials offered by families. The main event will be the solemn World Meeting of Families Mass on 9 July, during which a number of married couples celebrating their 50th anniversary will renew the marriage promises. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 2/2/2006 - righe 30, parole 378)


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