The Archdiocese of Cebu is getting ready for the local celebration of the World Meeting of Families from June 22 to June 26, 2022.
“I see the celebration of the World Meeting of Families as one … meaningful celebration where [the faithful] experience the grace, the presence of God, the love of God, particularly where it’s supposed to start in the family,” said Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu.
The prelate said the event is in response to the “specific instruction” of Pope Francis that local churches celebrate the meeting of families and hold activities parallel with the ones in Rome.
In a media briefing on Friday, June 10, the prelate stressed the importance of prayer even as he noted the many challenges that families face around the world due to the various social crises.
“There are many challenges the family faces, there are many concerns and problems,” said Archbishop Palma.
“But we would also like to announce to the world that there are also many consolations and blessings when families try to live up to their vision and mission, to their identity,” he said.
The celebration later this month will be spearheaded by the Commission on Family and Life of the Archdiocese of Cebu and will be held in time for the 10th World Meeting of Families in Rome that carries the theme “Family Love: A Vocation and a Path to Holiness.”
A couple from Cebu — an engineer and his wife — will be sent to Rome to represent the archdiocese in the global gathering of families.
Archbishop Palma said the local Church is sending Jose Mari Suico and his wife Concepcion along with another couple — Rolando and Besalina Pansoy.
The World Meeting of Families will conclude the Year of “Amoris Laetitia” Family, a celebration of families in honor of the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical “Amoris Laetitia.”
The celebration began on March 19, 2021, the day “Amoris Laetitia” was released five years ago on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph.
This year’s gathering will reflect on the spirituality of the family in light of the call to holiness expressed in “Gaudete et Exsultate.”
