Very early on Saturday 7th March, a coach from the Birmingham Catholic Youth Service, came to collect 9 of St Edmund’s students and 3 staff members to take them to ‘Flame 2’, the National Catholic Youth Day at the SSE Arena in Wembley.

Wearing their black t-shirts with pride, they were part of 8,000 young Catholics who had joined together to celebrate with joy the mercy of God.

During the day there were times of silence, joy, dancing, prayer, adoration, music and great energy.

There were many inspirational speakers and presenters, each with their own message. To name a few: Fr Dermott Donnelly, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Baroness Sheila Hollins, David Wells, Fr Timothy Radcliffe, Cardinal Vincent Nicholls and two Grammy Award singer and musician Matt Redman . They even had a message from Pope Frances and became the biggest tweet of the day #FLAME2.

Our very own Archbishop Bernard Longley sat amongst us and didn’t mind the odd ‘selfie’ with the young people.

Deb Ferris Lay Chaplain quotes: “We were blessed with great weather and each of us experienced the ‘flame’ inside of us to go and ‘Live life to the Full’ John 10:10.”