Welcoming all the youth from St. Albans to Flame 2
For Cardinal Tagle it was all about mercy. For the youth it was an opportunity to gather to celebrate faith. For the MSC Vocations team it was all about the Smarites!
Flame 2 was the largest Catholic Youth Event in UK in 2015. It brought together amazing speakers like Cardinal Tagle from the Philippines, Baroness Shelia Hollins, and Fr. Timothy Radcliffe OP. Worship was led by the double Grammy Award winning Matt Redman and his band. All in all it was an incredible day, but it was a lot of hard work!
Henry and Pat O’Brien running the Guinness Book of Records Smartie Challenge
Seeing as the MSCs were one of the main sponsors of Flame this year Henry and I were at Wembley SSE Stadium bright and early with our Starbucks in hand. Once we got our high vis. vests and event passes it was off to set up the vocations stand before the onslaught of thousands and thousands of teenagers. They came from all over England and Wales and created an atmosphere that could normally only be found at World Youth Day. It’s hard to describe, but it’s one of joy and hope and once you feel it you can’t forget it.
Fr. Timothy Radcliffee OP addressed Flame 2
Cardinal Tagle spoke about the Gospel of mercy that must underlie our faith. He challenged everyone there to reach out and share the message of compassion. Baroness Hollins invited us to live in grace, to take care of one another, and to look after your well being. These are all gifts from God for us, given out of love. In between the talks, the music and the drama we welcomed people to the MSC Vocations Stand with the Bean Boozled Spinning Wheel ( you would have had to have been there ), the Guinness Book of Records Smartie Challenge, and loads and loads of Love Hearts ( now the unofficial sweets of the MSCs ).
Flame 2 represents some of the very best of what it means to be a Catholic. It reminds us that we are searchers. It encourages us on our way as we journey together. And it celebrates the God who walks with us, leading us day by day into a deeper loving relationship with Him.