Parishes celebrate opening of 10th World Meeting of Families

By Myrna Bermudo

On June 22, the Holy Cross Parish in Nabua, in celebration of the Opening of 10th World Meeting of Families (WMOF), held a Eucharistic celebration presided by Rev. Fr. Albert S. Orillo, parish priest. During the six o’clock morning mass, married couples renewed their marriage vows.

On the same day, the first mass of Fr. Jesus Berdol, parish priest of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Sangay, Camarines Sur, was offered for the intention of WMOF. Couples and families were blessed during the Eucharistic celebration.

In a circular addressed to all parish priests and the faithful of the Archdiocese of Caceres, Archbishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD, enjoined all parishes to offer their first mass on June 22 for the intention of the 10th World Meeting of Families.

“The Holy Father, Pope Francis, wishes that the WMOF be celebrated in every diocese and parish. To manifest our support to the Family and Life Apostolate, parishes are encouraged to ring their church bells at six in the evening, followed by praying of the Angelus and prayer for the World Meeting of Families,” the circular said.

The WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES takes place on June 22, 2022 (Wednesday) until June 26, 2022 (Sunday) with the theme “Family Love: A Vocation and a Path to Holiness”.

It also marks the end of the Amoris Laetitia Family Year.

Pope Francis chose Rome to host the 10th World Meeting of Families initiated by St. John Paul II in 1994. The WMOF celebrates the family as the cornerstone of our lives and the fundamental building blocks of our society and Church.

Instead of a worldwide gathering, it was decided that the WMOF be celebrated in all dioceses with local bishops.

Based on the program released by Rev. Fr. William Santiago, director of the Family Ministry of the Archdiocese of Caceres, there will be a gathering of Family Ministry Parish Couple Coordinators at the Holy Rosary Major Seminary on June 23.

There will be a consecration of families to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 24, feast of the Sacred Heart in coordination with the Apostleship of Prayer. Marriage validation ceremonies will be held on June 25.

For the concluding activity, couples celebrating their 25th, 35th, 45th, 55th, 65th and 75th wedding anniversaries will be recognized on June 26.

Archbishop Tirona will preside over the Mass for the renewal of their marriage vows and an episcopal blessing certificate will be given to the couples.

“Let us celebrate the WMOF in our communities, mission stations and parishes, as an opportunity to encourage, promote and strengthen Filipino families, where we first learn the ‘truth, justice, freedom, love, equality and peace’ that mark ‘a just and humane society (1987 Preamble, Philippine Constitution), Archbishop Tirona said.

Fr. Jesus B. Berdol, parish priest, blesses families present during the early morning mass on June 22, 2022 at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Sangay, Camarines Sur. In all 93 parishes of the Archdiocese of Caceres, the first mass was offered for the intention of the 10th World Meeting of Families on June 22-26, 2022 in Rome, Italy.

(Photo credit: FB page of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish)