Answer: 1994 was declared an “International Year of the Family” by the United Nations. Pope John Paul II wanted the Church to also celebrate this Year of the Family, and so the 1st World Meeting of Families was held. It took place in Rome on 8 and 9 October 1994 under the guidance of the Pontifical Council for the Family who went on to organize all subsequent WMFs.

Since then, every three years, in different places around the world, a World Meeting of Families has been held, together with an International Pastoral-Theological Congress. It concludes with a Festival of Families in the presence of the Pope and a great final Eucharistic Celebration.

CLICK HERE to view an article
'Why John Paul II Created the World Meeting of Families'
by Matthew Bunson
on NCRegister.com.

  
The 1st International Year of the Family
Family
Parents & Son
Young & Old Men
956-958 (1994)