Second day of WMOF in Dublin: 28 keynote and breakout sessions

By Francesca Merlo

The second day of the Pastoral Congress of the WMOF in Dublin, Ireland, included 28 keynote and breakout sessions, as well as a message of hope to the world: “The family has a future and is the salvation of humanity”.

Some of the morning panels tackled broad topics such as human trafficking, the role of grandparents in family and supporting newly married couples in the parish.

Theology and Tenderness

The morning session came to an end with two presentations. The first, lead by Cardinal Maradiaga, was entitled “Pope Francis on the revolution of tenderness”. The second was a workshop led by Rocco Buttiglione, from the Communion and Liberation Movement, entitled “A hidden treasure: the Theology of the Body of Saint John Paul II”.

The second session of the morning began with a panel on the “Dignity and Beauty of Sexual Love”, moderated by Cardinal Blasé Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago and involved a guest speaker from Colombia, José de Jesùs Magana.

Prior to the celebration of Holy Mass, couples who are celebrating 25, 50 and 60 years of marriage. discussed love and fidelity in the midst of difficulties.

Marriage helping society

Mass, was presided over by Cardinal Joao Braz de Avviz, and his homily was called “Love endures all things: why strong marriages make stronger societies”.

The evening panels included, “Care for our common home: why the family matters to the future of our planet”, an interactive seminar based on the themes of Laudato Sì with music, stories and speakers.

The day ended with three final presentations. “The use of technology in the family”, a cooking presentation by Fr. Leo Patalinghug, and a Presentation of the life of The Venerable Matt Talbot as an example for families in which there are problems of drug addiction.