A record-breaking 10,800 attendees from across England and Wales gathered at the OVO Arena in London for ‘Flame 2025’ – a conference and concert for young Catholics and Christians of secondary-school age – on Saturday, March 15.
With a plethora of celebrity guests and performers and 20 bishops in attendance, television star and survival expert Bear Grylls was the headline speaker.
The growing initiative, which is collaboratively organised with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, is “the largest ever event for Catholic young people in the UK.”
In his talk, Mr Grylls recalled a pivotal moment in his youth when he climbed up a tree in grief following the death of a close family friend and attempted to pray.
“God, if you’re there, just be with me for a while,” he pleaded.
From this moment, Mr Grylls affirmed to the thousands of listening schoolchildren that belief followed him without departure for the rest of his life. He stated that his faith is “a constant connection to the Almighty” and a “knowledge” that he is loved.
Mr Grylls ensured that an exclusive copy of his latest book, The Greatest Story Ever Told – a narrative retelling the Gospel from the perspective of New Testament figures (releasing in May), was handed out to each attendee.
Brian Henriquez, one of the co-founders of the Hallow app – the most popular religious mobile and tablet application in the world, also spoke. In February 2024, Hallow even became the most downloaded app on Apple products altogether – ahead of Google and ChatGPT.
Mr Henriquez recalled how his own faith was developed and deepened through discovering the ancient practice of Lectio Divina through his work – entailing reading passages of Scripture followed by meditative-contemplative prayer.
The event closed with Eucharistic Adoration led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
Speaking of Hallow’s formidable popularity in an age of declining faith, Mr Henriquez later told The Irish Catholic that one of the most surprising successes of his work was to find users were particularly enthralled by spiritual challenges and disciplines.
Describing how a 54-day rosary novena was one of Hallow’s most popular programmes, he said “I think people are craving something that’s authentic. I think they’re tired of things that are watered-down.”
“It challenges people to live their life differently,” he continued. “And I think that’s where you get some of the spiritual fruit.”
