Fire of faith burns brightly at Flame gathering

Thousands of young Catholics from around the country came together for the annual youth gathering Flame 23, at the OVO Arena, Wembley. Guest speakers included Cardinal Vincent Nichols and there were performances from musicians including award-winning rappers Guvna B and Faith Child. Pope Francis sent a message urging participants to “dare to be different”, embracing ideals of generosity, service, purity, perseverance, forgiveness, prayer, the pursuit of justice and love for the poor.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament was a highlight of the day, with the arena falling silent as we venerated the sacred host before us and contemplated the mystery of the Eucharist.

St Mary’s College, Hull, student ELEANOR GUIVER, tells us about her experience of the day… In our increasingly secular society, it is sometimes easy to forget that you are one of many Catholics spread out across the UK and the rest of the world.

However, walking into the OVO Arena with fellow students from Hull and seeing 8,000 young people touched by the Holy Spirit, worshipping, praying and adoring the Lord is a welcome reminder.

Flame makes worship and faith more accessible to young people, who are encouraged through the event to express our faith in any way that feels right for us. Music, especially, has always been significant for religion, with people throughout history using their God-given musical talents to express their love for and devotion to the Lord. By including genres preferred by the younger generation, such as Guvna B’ and Faith Child’s upbeat rapping and One Hope Project’s soulful melodies, Flame reinforces the importance of music for worship, using contemporary artists to move the young people in attendance. Flame was, of course, not just about the music. All the guest speakers present made a powerful impact on me and the people around me, from Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle’s call to seek the angels in our lives, to Jenny Garzón Saavedra’s inspiring passion for protecting our common home.

It was a true blessing to be surrounded by people of such faith, such love for God and all his creations, that led perfectly to Adoration. We sat for ten minutes just being in the presence of Jesus, praying and worshipping and loving him.

It was intense and tears were shed. Being in his presence and knowing he was there with you, individually, even when you were surrounded by 8,000 other people, was such an amazing experience that I cannot wait to take part again at the next Flame.

Ingleby Barwick

St Therese of Lisieux

Palm Sunday Mass Saturday 5.30pm, Sunday 11am

Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7pm followed by watching till 11pm

Good Friday

Stations of the Cross 12 noon Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 3pm Easter Easter Vigil 9pm Easter Sunday Mass 11am

Cottingham

Holy Cross

Holy Thursday 7pm Mass of the Lord's Supper

Good Friday

10am & 7pm Stations of the Cross

3pm Liturgy of the Lord's Passion

Holy Saturday

8.30pm Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday 10am Easter Day Mass York

St George

Palm Sunday 10.30am, 6.30pm

Holy Thursday 7.00pm Good Friday Stations 12noon

The Passion 3.00pm Holy Saturday Vigil 8.30pm Easter Sunday Mass at 10.30am