Scottish Catholic Observer

The Flame2 congress, organised by the Catholic Youth Ministry Federation (CYMFED), featured a dramatic interpretation of St John’s Gospel and music from Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and worship leader Matt Redman.

One of the highlights was the appearance of Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines, who brought the gathering a special message from Pope Francis, who visited his country in January. In his message to Flame2, the Pope called on young Catholics to allow them to be ‘surprised by God’ and stop assuming to ‘know everything.’

“Don’t be afraid of surprises, afraid that they will shake you up. They make us insecure but they change the direction we are going in,” the Pope said in his message to the Flame2 audience, encouraging them to follow St Francis of Assisi’s example to die with ‘empty hands but with a full heart’ and ‘offer yourselves passionately and honestly to the great work of renewing your society and helping to build a better world.’

Cardinal Tagle himself addressed the young people at Flame2, comparing Jesus’ disciples to university students.

“Be God’s ears and eyes of mercy—visit the sick and prisoners, feed the hungry and thirsty, be good Samaritans”,” Cardinal Tagle said. “Spread the flame of God’s mercy and heal the wounded world.”

The cardinal even persuaded the young people to bring out their phones and create a sea of lights.

The speakers during the lunchtime workshops were just as well-received, with Baroness Hollins explaining her work with young people and mental health and young CAFOD gap year volunteers describing their experiences with street children in Zimbabwe and helping Israeli and Palestinian groups come together in the Holy Land.

The event concluded with an Adoration with Cardinal Vincent Nichols, which Fr Timothy Radcliffe compared to sunbathing.

“You feel the warmth of God’s love,” said Fr Radcliffe. “God knows all the worst things that you have done and he still delights in us.”

“To fall in love with God is the greatest of romances. To seek God is the greatest adventure. Let’s do it.”

The young people who attended Flame 2, who ranged between 14 and 21 years of age, praised the gathering with Nathaniel Fernandes saying: “I’ve never felt so enriched. To be around so many people of all ages and backgrounds. There’s a really powerful vibe here.”