The first World Meeting of Families was initiated by Saint Pope John Paul II in 1994 to help strengthen the sacred bonds of the family unit across the globe. Every three years since then, families from all over the world are invited by the Holy Father to attend this global gathering.
The World Meeting of Families scheduled to be held September 22-27, 2015 in Philadelphia, USA. The theme is “Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive,” emphasizing the impact of the love and life of families on our society. Further details about the conference and registration information can be found on the 2015 World Meeting of Families website at www.worldmeeting2015.org.
The Pontifical Council for the Family with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has published a catechesis entitled “Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive – A preparatory catechesis for the World Meeting of Families”. The resource has been developed to assist in preparing dioceses throughout the world and to serve as a guide for the World Meeting itself. The booklet is available in several languages including English and French. It can be ordered in print or electronic formats in Canada on the website www.amazon.ca, from local bookstores, by email at inquiry@lightningsource.com, or by visiting the website https://www1.lightningsource.com/contactUs.aspx.
Also, in preparation for the event, Salt + Light TV has produced a series of videos witnessing to how family life and the lives of the Blesseds and Saints are inter-related, with special importance for the Church as well as for today’s families. Each presentation is approximately five minutes long, and provides a short biography on the life of each Saint or Blessed as well as a testimony to their journey of faith.
Salt + Light Series titles:
Blessed Pope Paul VI: The Pilgrim Pope
http://youtu.be/at_s_jbgHgk
Saint John XXIII: Pope of Innocence and Goodness
http://youtu.be/tpeZm3DWlcU
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati: Man of the Beatitudes
http://youtu.be/EhwGcYy7LtM
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha: Mohawk Mystic of North America
http://youtu.be/KbD4KC-qAcM
Saint Gianna Beretta Molla: Lover of Life
http://youtu.be/ru99NHBWkZ8
The Benedicts: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives
http://youtu.be/KTb38tZYu3o
Father Michael McGivney: A Man of the People
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-QW1kzVE_I&feature=youtu.be
The Light Family: The Bigger Picture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y876OGhEaAw&list=PLgoAlsvvzIyUyEcgEWZh7ttVgg24od_cJ&index=8
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha: Flower of Fortitude
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH-Z7YEndYk&list=PLgoAlsvvzIyUyEcgEWZh7ttVgg24od_cJ&index=9
The Bolger Family: A Love Never Lost
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqf-mLi1jc4&index=10&list=PLgoAlsvvzIyUyEcgEWZh7ttVgg24od_cJ
St. Marie of the Incarnation – Woman of Faith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq_Iw5v0sIE&index=11&list=PLgoAlsvvzIyUyEcgEWZh7ttVgg24od_cJ
The Emersons: Be Not Afraid!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_C8oIzJfaY&list=PLgoAlsvvzIyUyEcgEWZh7ttVgg24od_cJ&index=12
Fernando Camou: Por el Amor de mis Padres (in Spanish)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79HD4bNzvnw