FLAME is a National Youth Congress.

In these days which mark the anniversary of the Papal Visit, when 2500 young people from England and Wales celebrated their faith with Pope Benedict XVI and with just ten months until the Olympic Games, FLAME will take place at Wembley Arena on 24th March 2012, taking the scriptural text of 2 Timothy 1:6-8 as its theme: “Fanning the Spirit into a Flame”.

The day, organised by the Catholic Youth Ministry Federation (CYMFed), in partnership with CAFOD, Catholic 2012 and the John Paul II Foundation for Sport, is open to anyone in school Year 10 and above and will bring together prominent Catholic speakers with Olympians and Paralympians in a setting which will be lively and dramatic as well as offering moments that are reflective and challenging.

FLAME Congress will explore how faith and sport are related, notably through the Olympic values of Respect, Friendship and Excellence. Faith adds a profound dimension to these values; through sport they can be lived out in powerful and public ways. FLAME Congress will offer valuable curriculum links: faith, leadership and sport will all be highlighted throughout the input.

Pope Benedict XVI in November 2010 reflected that "sport, practiced with passion and ethical sense, in addition to exercising a healthy competitive spirit, becomes a school to learn and deepen human and Christian values".

FLAME Congress will also present to young people a vivid and vibrant picture of the Church in the UK: some may be fortunate enough to have had a taste of such moments through pilgrimages to Lourdes or World Youth Day but FLAME Congress increases the chance to offer this dynamic experience of lived faith to those who may not ever have experienced it before.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, in his endorsement of the FLAME Congress, says, “There is particular dynamism and energy when young people gather in large numbers and I am sure it will be a day of radiant joy. I strongly encourage you to bring groups of young people to this Congress praying that it will in itself be a great witness to a faith that is alive and active. I look forward to seeing you there.”

Speakers will give short bursts of input, giving those present much to be inspired by and to reflect on. Those confirmed so far include Barry and Margaret Mizen & family, Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, Sr Catherine Holum CFR, Fr Christopher Jamison OSB, Young People from Kenya, Paschal Uche, Mgr John Armitage and David Wells. Music will be provided by Edwin Fawcett and Indecisive. The day will end with a time of Adoration led by Archbishop Vincent Nichols. 

From late October 2011 there are resources to prepare for FLAME Congress. Some of these will be provided exclusively to those who have booked. Developed by youth ministry experts, these resources will help youth ministers, school chaplains and catechists in preparing young people for the day itself as well as looking at wider issues around faith and sport. They will be ideal in preparation for the Olympics and Paralympics.

We hope that FLAME Congress will inspire young people. We are designing a day which will help them to return to their homes, schools and parishes with fresh energy about their faith, giving a fresh understanding about the links between faith and sport.

In the months between FLAME Congress and the Olympics we hope this enthusiasm will radiate through parishes and schools in England and Wales, helping everyone to see the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the light of faith. We hope this will continue to bear rich fruit in the months after the Olympics.

Go to the official FLAME website.

For further information, email Lorraine Leonard, Youth Ministry Co-ordinator, at the Cathedral Centre. Telephone: 0161 817 2205