Mgr Charles Vella receives international award at Fatima

The legacy of Fatima to the family today" was the title of the opening talk at the Tenth World Assembly of the International Confederation of Christian Family Movements held at the Pastoral Centre Paul VI at Fatima in the last week of July. The keynote speaker was Mgr Charles G. Vella, chaplain of the confederation and founder of the Cana Movement.

Five couples from Malta representing GRUFAN (the Maltese Christian family groups) attended with Fr Joe Mizzi, the director of the Cana Movement, Tony and Lily Gauci as well as George and M'Louise Sammut, who represent the Confederation in Europe.

The assembly was attended by couples representing 30 countries from around the world.

The concluding day of the assembly was presided over by the Archbishop of Braga, Jorge Ferreira da Costa Ortiga, president of the Portuguese Bishops' Conference; Mgr Ferreira also said Mass at the Marian Sanctuary of Fatima. The Mass was sung by the St Monica School choir of Fatima.

On this occasion, Mgr Vella, who has been active in the confederation since its beginning 50 years ago, was awarded the Cardinal Cardijn International Award for his work for families in Malta, Italy and other countries. He was acknowledged by the president couple, Elma and Nop Mukgroot, as one of the founders and described as "a missionary globetrotter for the evangelisation of families".

The award consists of an Irish Watford crystal globe and a diploma.

The assembly discussed the legacy of spirituality, sacrifice and peace, which Mgr Vella emphasised "starts from home". The recitation of the rosary in the family was one of the ways that helped families stay together in moments of crisis and turmoil, he concluded.

During the days of the international assembly, Mgr Vella broadcast daily commentaries on Malta's Radju Marija.