The renewal of the Church depends on the family. Vibrant Catholic families — committed to living the faith with integrity and passing it on to future generations — provide hope for the future.
This coming September, Pope Francis will travel to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families. Instituted in 1994 by Pope John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families is an international celebration of Catholic family life. It will be a special moment for the Church in our country as the Catholic family will be in the spotlight of our nation’s consciousness.
The good will Pope Francis has earned for his manifestly holy life will be put to the test as he addresses the challenging topic of the renewal of family life. The World Meeting of Families is not a rally against anyone who falls short of the full truth about family life. Instead, it is a chance for the Church to propose the way of Catholic family life — modeled on the love of the Trinity — as the path to human flourishing. The World Meeting is a time of prayer, education and celebration led by the Pope.
Many Rhode Islanders plan to visit Philadelphia to see the Holy Father. Those interested in sending a message to our country that the Church is alive and well should consider attending this event. Join the diocesan pilgrimage and travel to see the Holy Father. Stand up for Catholic family life and pray with the Pope that Catholic families might renew the faith in our land.
