Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Valencia (Agenzia Fides) - With great enthusiasm the 5th World Meeting of Families opened on July 1. The streets of Valencia are filled with yellow and white papal flags ready to welcome Pope Benedict XVI who will arrive on Saturday 8 July to preside the evening prayer vigil and then the closing Mass the next day, Sunday 9 July. People from all over the world continue to arrive, even a group of 20 families all the way from Cuba to represent the Catholic community in that Caribbean country. The Cuban delegation is led by Bishop Arturo González of Santa Chiara. This is “the largest family delegation from Cuba in the history of World Meeting for Family" according to AVAN new agency of Valencia archdiocese.
On Saturday 1 July the International Family Fair inaugurated its amusement area. According to the organisers the area is open free of charge 11am to 9pm to families taking part in the event. The area includes children’s corner for drawing and sport for the whole family: football volley ball, go-karts. On Tuesday 4 July the exhibition area of the Fair will be opened where representatives of the different ecclesial realities involved in the promotion of the family will have Stands offering information on the activity in favour of the family at world level.
On Sunday 2 July a special Mass for over 10,000 helpers who have volunteered to help with the event was presided by the Archbishop of Valencia, Archbishop Agustín García-Gasco. In his homily the Archbishop thanked the volunteers for coming and encouraged them to be tireless in their important mission. “I want you to know that your archbishop relies on each one of you and thanks you for your collaboration to make the truth of marriage and the family proclaimed by Benedict XVI spread from Valencia to the whole world " the Archbishop said. He encouraged the volunteers to "listen carefully to the personal call which Jesus Christ has for each person to be his witness in the world".
The Archbishop reminded the volunteers that the temptations of the world can darken the path and that "many of your companions and friends are caught in the snares of religious indifference, consumerism, hedonism, sexual disorder, artificial paradises of drug abuse, in brief, the idols of the world". He encouraged them to "follow the Lord whatever path He chooses. Do not linger on the shore! Put out into the deep !". After the mass the volunteers had supper together in the sports ground parking lot. Their various duties in the coming days will include: meeting the needs of the participants; helping at train, bus and air terminals; offering information to visitors; deal with means of communication; serving as translators and interpreters; helping to organise events and assisting various authorities present.
From 3-7 July the Spanish Bishops’ Conference will activate a Web Blog or ‘Travel Diary on which Bishops will share their impressions and experience at the World Meeting of Families, and blog users will have the opportunity to meet the Bishops on line. (JO/RG) (Agenzia Fides 3/7/2006, righe 42, parole 579)
