Finding Place

Pilgrims of the Diocese of Grand Rapids on Sept. 21, the morning of
their departure for the World Meeting of Families.

As an "empty-nester" I questioned my place at the World Meetings of Families. What could I possibly experience here, given that our boys are young adults and we have two daughters-in-law and a grandson? I came to Philadelphia initially thinking that as far as family goes, I’m past my prime.

This pilgrimage breaks all the molds. There are fifteen of us traveling together this week at the World Meeting of Families. In our group is an 87 year-old widow, a couple who just celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary, a mother of a 16 month-old, a father of three, ages 9 months to 5 years-old, and a single young adult who has never been married.

There is something offered at this event that is relevant to each of us and particular to our stage in the family life cycle. There are workshops on discerning the vocation of marriage and other vocations - parenting, and becoming saintly couples - just to name two.

Family is a universal truth; it applies to ALL of us. Having a family is not something we wait to do when we get married, or forgo as our children move out on their own or our spouses pass away.

Family is transcendent and eternal. We are ALWAYS a part of family. Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship, shared with us today that, “In the family is the living memory of God’s fidelity.” He also referred to families as the “custodians of the future.”

The World Meeting of Families is relevant to all of us, young, old, single, married, divorced, widow or widower. The new learning, cultural exchanges, prayer and worship taking place this week by those married, single and religious is a grace to the Catholic Church and gives glory to God.