World Meeting of Families 2022- The AVOSA Edition
And So Its Finally Here !
The World meeting of Families 2022 - The AVOSA Edition , a one of the first of its kind in the vicariate.
A Pastoral Congress + A Festival of Families + Holy Mass = WMOF 2022 AE #WMOF22AE
The Wonderful Day as it Was .....
In line with our Holy Father Pope Francis’ direction for the Xth World Meeting of Families be celebrated across the world, the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (AVOSA), celebrated the region’s first ever, World Meeting of Families – Avosa Edition on the 20th of August 2022 in the United Arab Emirates.
The theme of the event, “Family Love: A Vocation and a Path to Holiness” with a focus on ‘Resilience and Reinforcement of Families’, stood in place along with the seven-point catechesis laid out by Pope Francis for the event. The various points in the catechesis include ‘Vocation and Family’, ‘Called to Holiness’, ‘Nazareth: Rendering Love Normal’, ‘We are all Children, we are all ‘Brothers and Sisters’, ‘Fathers and Mothers’, ‘Grandparents and the Elderly’ and ‘May I, Thank You, Pardon Me’.
The program was attended by over 850 participants, families and individuals included, from the parishes of U.A.E and Oman, representing more than 10 different nationalities of residents bringing together the very essence and uniqueness of community and family life in the region.
The event was opened by His Excellency Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, His Excellency Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Vicar Emeritus and Msgr. Kryspin Dubiel, the Charge D’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in the United Arab Emirates with the presence of our priests.
The Pastoral Congress during the day saw, dedicated groups sessions held for children, teenagers, young adults, couples, parents and senior’s and grandparents lead by a series of different resource persons, Bishop, Priests and lay couples and individuals sharing their experience and understanding, reinforced with interactive sessions bringing forward the voice of each dedicated group. Live gospel bands lead the groups all through the day, with their soul lifting music.
Holy mass presided over by Bishop Paolo Martinelli and concelebrated with Bishop Paul Hinder along with priests, participated by all the families present. It culminated the end of the Pastoral congress and led the way for the opening of the Festival of Families.
The Festival of Families presented cultural performances by different parish communities representing cultural and folk dances by young children to the youth right to the seniors. The most riveting segment of the evening included powerful testimonies by families, which moved those listening to them, giving them the hope and encouragement for the future. The testimonies were so touching, it led the audience to deliver a standing ovation as a testament that they were all united at that moment.
The World Meeting of Families – Avosa Edition concluded with families returning home with a more joyous heart, in full excitement and anticipation for the next event. With grateful hearts, we are so closely united to the vision and mission of the Holy Father Francis for all families of the world. We thank His Holiness Pope Francis for his untiring encouragements, catechesis and life-giving experiences shared time and time again.
Memories
@ X World Meeting of Families - Avosa Edition
Pastoral Congress
Holy Mass
Festival of Families
What is the World Meeting of Families - WMOF ?
WMOF is the acronym for World Meeting of Families, created by Pope John Paul II in 1994. In fact, that year was declared “International Year of the Family” by the United Nations, and so the Year of the Family was also celebrated in the Church. Thus, the 1st World Meeting of Families was created, which was held in Rome on 8 and 9 October 1994. A World Meeting of Families has therefore been held since 1994 every three years and in different places around the world. The pattern followed has always been fairly similar, with an international Theological-Pastoral Congress at the start and ending, with a vigil and Festival of Families (a cultural program event) along with a great final Eucharistic celebration. The 10th World Meeting of Families is being held in Rome from the 22nd to 26th June 2022.
What is the World Meeting of Families - The Avosa Edition ?
This year, in a video message released by Pope Francis, he said a new format is being planned for the WMOF event, which will have its focus not only in Rome but to be held throughout the world. Thus, in support and encouragement from H.E. Bishop Paul Hinder, the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabic will have the World Meeting of Families – The AVOSA Edition.
The X World Meeting of Families
Official Prayer for the X World Meeting of Families
Heavenly Father,
We come before You to praise You and to thank You for the great gift of the family.
We pray to You for all families, consecrated by the Sacrament of Matrimony.
May they rediscover each day the grace they have received, and as small domestic Churches,
May they know how to witness to your Presence and to the love with which Christ loves the Church.
We pray to You for all families faced with difficulty and suffering
caused by illness or circumstances of which only You know.
Sustain them and make them aware of the path to holiness upon which You call them,
so that they might experience your infinite Mercy and find new ways to grow in love.
We pray to You for children and young people, may they encounter You and respond joyfully
to the vocation You have in mind for them;
We pray for parents and grandparents: may they be aware that they are signs
of the fatherhood and motherhood of God
in caring for the children who, in body and spirit, You entrust to them;
for the experience of fraternity that the family can give to the world.
Lord, grant that each family
might live their specific vocation to holiness in the Church
as a call to become missionary disciples, in the service of life and peace,
in communion with our priests,
religious, and all vocations in the Church.
Bless the World Meeting of Families.
Amen.