Archdiocese of Detroit joins the Universal Church in celebrating the World Meeting of Families

“I eagerly look forward to joining together with the universal Church to celebrate the 10th World Meeting of Families. May the Holy Spirit bestow on all who attend abundant graces to continue the missionary transformation of the Archdiocese of Detroit by renewing in all families the apostolic boldness to witness a joyful family life rooted in the Gospel.” – Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron

In the coming months, the Archdiocese of Detroit will join the universal Church in celebrating the 10th World Meeting of Families by engaging families through prayer, catechesis, and parish celebrations. Historically, the World Meeting of Families has been the largest gathering of Catholic families in the world; however, due to the continuing pandemic, the 2022 World Meeting of Families will consist of hybrid in-person, online, and diocesan events. The Vatican is encouraging all dioceses, with their local bishops, to celebrate this special event by gathering families for a customized, local experience of formation, prayer, and fellowship.

The celebration of the World Meeting of Families in the Archdiocese of Detroit will complement and continue many existing efforts helping families to reclaim their Christian identity and form them for mission. The theme chosen for this year’s meeting is “Family Love: A Vocation and a Path to Holiness,” which will be highlighted through the following activities:

• A Lenten Prayer Challenge –Families will have the opportunity to grow in the habit of prayer by signing up for a Lenten Prayer Challenge. Participants will receive a game board with 40 unique prayers to complete in the 40 days of Lent.
• Family Small Groups during the Easter Season – Families will embark on a spiritual journey and path to holiness by forming Family Small Groups to study and reflect together on the catechetical content provided by the organizers of the World Meeting of Families.
• Parish Celebrations in June – Parishes will celebrate with families in a variety of ways during the week of the World Meeting of Families, June 22 through 26. Parishes will engage families in the way that best suits them (i.e., picnic, dinner, public prayer, etc.).

The Office of Engagement and Family Ministry has created a World Meeting of Families Ministry Resources landing page on the EGW website for parish leaders to easily access all the information they need to promote this three-tiered plan.

The 2022 World Meeting of Families will conclude the Year of the Family, a celebration of families established by Pope Francis beginning on March 19, 2021, in honor of the fifth anniversary of his encyclical Amoris Laetitia.