Overwhelmed by the sheer energy and enthusiasm: reflections on Flame 2023

Flame is special, and not just because it’s the UK’s biggest youth Catholic event. After all, where else could you hear from a cardinal, an archbishop, Christian rappers, a world-changing lawyer, a Colombian youth worker, and Ant and Dec?

After a four-year hiatus due to the global pandemic, Flame 2023 returned on March 4, much to the obvious delight of the 7,700 young Catholics at OVO Arena Wembley and 400 performers, guests, bishops, heads of movements and organisations, as well as religious orders.

Also in the audience were members of Father Dermott Donnelly’s family. A much-loved and admired man and an integral part of Flame, Father Dermott of the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle passed away last year aged 55 after a short illness.

But it wasn’t only his brother – Declan Donnelly – who paid tribute. As was apposite and right, he was mentioned many times on stage, and his absence was keenly felt, not least among the many young Flame delegates from the North East.

While there was reflection and prayers throughout the afternoon, Flame is, without doubt, a joyous occasion. I first attended in 2019 on behalf of the Catenians, who have been instrumental in supporting Flame and raising money for it.

Four years ago, I was overwhelmed to discover the sheer energy and enthusiasm from the young crowd. In an age when the Church suffers from dwindling congregations and hardly a week seems to go by without a new survey proclaiming the unabated rise of secularism, it is frankly astonishing to be in a sold-out Wembley Arena packed to the rafters with teenagers celebrating their faith.

And CYMFed (the Catholic Youth Ministry Federation) certainly knows and understands its audience. Just as it did in 2019, CYMFed, Flame’s organisers, delivered a perfectly-judged programme.

A teenager’s attention span is notoriously short and even an adult’s concentration might be tested by a religious event spanning more than five hours. But a clever set list which juxtaposed Q&As and spiritual speeches with grime and rap music, as well as a mesmerising selection of songs from singer-songwriter Adeniké, a former contestant on BBC’s The Voice, held everyone’s attention.

When Cardinal Tagle, the keynote speaker, took to the stage, you could hear a pin drop. A similar respect was accorded to Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB. Both gave moving and invigorating speeches, and were rewarded with rapturous receptions with many people on their feet.

Meanwhile, a papal message, read out by Father Dominic Howarth, chair of the Flame planning committee, was received with reverential silence.

Pope Francis acknowledged the theme of Flame 23 – “Rise Up” – referencing “the Lord’s call to follow Him, and in particular to ‘dare to be different, to point to ideals other than those of this world, testifying to the beauty of generosity, service, purity, perseverance, forgiveness, fidelity to our personal vocation, prayer, the pursuit of justice and the common good, love for the poor, and social friendship’.”

Taking the WYD scripture “Mary arose and went with haste” as Flame’s inspiration, “Rise Up” was the prevailing message on a chilly and grey March day.  

If the Catholic Church could harness even a fraction of the inclusivity and genuine positive spirit engendered by Flame, pews would be much fuller on Sundays.

Helen Nugent is a writer for Catena.