More than 1,500 Catholics came from around the diocese to attend the 2022 Diocesan Family Festival at the Warren County Fairgrounds in Front Royal June 11. Kaitlyn Fox, a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church in Front Royal, said they came to be together as a family, including the larger diocesan family. Seydi Guzman, a parishioner of All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas, said she came for the family time and the road trip. Kristin Nimua of Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville came for the “free fun,” and so her Irish music-loving daughter could hear the band.
“We came last year and it was so much fun so we wanted to do the same thing,” said Erin Spicer of St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Clifton. “It’s so fun they started this family tradition.”
The festival, with the theme “Remembering One God, One Family,” began with an outdoor vigil Mass on the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. In his homily, he noted that the festival was held days before the World Meeting of Families in Rome. “We gather today as diocesan family, united with (Pope Francis) and the universal church,” he said.
Bishop Burbidge further spoke about God’s fatherly love. “His love never fails, it does not disappoint, it does not disappear when we make a mistake. His love does not have to be earned, it’s pure gift, it’s infinite, it’s unconditional. I pray, dear friends, that you leave here today convinced more than ever of our heavenly father’s love for you. Renew the promise today to love your spouse and your children, to love your parents and your siblings as the father loves us so that you may be a holy family.”
After Mass, families picnicked or bought dinner from food trucks and the John Carrell Jenkins Knights of Columbus Council, whose members grilled hot dogs. There were booths of vendors to explore and rides, inflatable obstacle courses and a rock-climbing wall. Live music was playing from the stage, starting with singer Karla Miranda and followed by the local Celtic rock band Scythian. Following a spirited final song, attendees sang an a capella rendition of the Marian hymn “Salve Regina” as darkness settled over the fairgrounds.
