'Glad and Generous Hearts' theme at WeBelieve Festival 2026

Main Altar with copy of Wilton Diptych and crucifix painted by Martin Earle

'The WeBelieve Festival was held at the magnificent grounds of St Mary's College, Oscott for the second year running from 24th to 27th July 2026. St Mary's is deeply intertwined with the revival of Catholicism in England.

In July 1852 the first synod of Catholic Bishops in England in over two hundred years gathered at Oscott. It was at this synod that Fr John Henry Newman preached from the chapel pulpit the famous 'Second Spring' sermon.

The glorious summer weather complimented the atmosphere of this very special festival of Catholic life. The theme this year was 'Glad and Generous Hearts'.

I attended the amazing inaugural WeBelieve Festival last year which was on an even larger scale this summer.

The festival sold out on Friday morning with 2700 tickets bought across the weekend. Attendees travelled not only from parts of the UK but also from France, Germany, Ireland etc. People had the option of purchasing day tickets or weekend tickets.

Each morning walking from the car park to the main centre I would pass a sea of tents of all manner of sizes, accommodating families with several children of a variety of ages. Walking through the grounds and seeing many young families, young adults and children really gave one much hope for the future of the holy Catholic Church in our lands.

Each day Mass was celebrated for all the gathered in the huge St Peter's marquee. There was a large image of the exquisite Wilton Diptych behind the altar with an image of a sublime crucifix painted by Martin Earle.

Archbishop Bernard Longley celebrated the opening Mass of the festival on 24th July followed by Archbishop Mark O'Toole on the 25th July at which Bishop Elect Fr Stephen Wang preached a heartfelt and moving homily that left people with a strong sense of renewed mission and purpose. Bishop Elect Fr Stephen Wang ended the homily by highlighting the second reading from Mass which had a sentence that he asked us to remember and follow from 2 Cor 4:13 'We also believe and therefore speak.'

Bishop David Waller celebrated the Mass on 26th July at which Fr Marcus Holden, Rector of the Pontifical Beda College in Rome preached a perceptive and inspirational homily. He drew on the Gospel which described a hidden treasure in a field. Fr Holden insightfully related it to the field at Oscott where Mass was being celebrated and the treasure being the gathered and all the Graces received over the last over two hundred years since the initial purchase of the field to build the seminary.

During one of the Masses I sat beside a young man who shared that he was not a Catholic and had travelled from Bath to experience the WeBelieve Festival with his friend. It was refreshing to meet someone who was clearly exploring the Catholic Faith.

There seemed to be something to interest everyone attending the festival with a variety of opportunities to be at Mass, to attend a Traditional Latin Rite Mass, to take part in liturgies, prayer, adoration, healing service, to receive the Sacrament of Confession or listen to talks, discussions, interviews, live music, join a tour, enjoy dance, play football etc.

There were a host of members of religious orders including friars, monks, deacons, priests, canons, monsignors, bishops, archbishops, sisters and the consecrated lay.

Many members of different lay, religious and clerical orders were present including the Dominicans, the Franciscans, the Benedictines, the Carmelites, the Oratorians, the Jesuits, Opus Dei, Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Passionists, Sisters of the Gospel of Life, Sisters of Mary Morning Star.

Several Catholic organisations were represented including Aid to the Church in Need, Buckfast Abbey, CAFOD, Catholic Union of Great Britain, Christian Art, Friends of the Holy Land, Radio Maria United Kingdom, Southwark Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis and many more.

There were multiple engaging events for people of all ages, including children. The unique aspect of this festival is that it accommodated and made provision for many Catholics of differing sensibilities. It is unparalleled in my experience that one could interact with speakers and organisations of interest as a way of becoming engaged with Catholic life at a parish or broader level while discerning God's call whether to married life, clerical or religious life or consecrated life.

It was a lovely way to make new friends and meet old friends again while cementing relationships and building fresh ones for the mission of the Church.

One of the highlights was attending the Holy Qurbana (Syro Malabar Mass). The richness of the ancient liturgy from the time of St Thomas the Apostle, the reverence, the tradition, the mystical nature of the Mass where one could hear the Aramaic word for the Holy Spirit was especially moving.

Amongst the many excellent discussions was one organised by the Catholic Union of Great Britain, 'Faith in The Public Square: Being a Christian in British Politics' with former MP Stephen Pound reflecting on a lifetime in public service from local government to Parliament and what it means to live as a Christian in British politics. Chaired by Martin Foley the conversation explored conscience, vocation and the challenges and opportunities of faith in the public square today.

Mr Pound referred to the WeBelieve Festival as, "Catholic Glastonbury"!

Mr Pound spoke about how he began as a councillor in Ealing and entered Parliament as MP for Ealing North from 1997-2019.

He shared: "If you don't enter politics for change, you shouldn't be there."

He added that it was helpful for him that the Catholic Church and its structure meant there was always someone available to talk with and discuss. He continued in complex situations he would ponder how Jesus would act. Mr Pound said of Our Lord that, "He is my Alpha and my Omega." Mr Pound revealed that he had been campaigning with Andy Burnham in Makerfield.

He observed regarding our Prime Minister, "Andy can read the room." He reminded us that Andy Burnham began his first day as Prime Minister before visiting King Charles by meeting homeless people at the Catholic charity, 'The Passage'.

He quoted Jean-Claude Juncker, 'We all know what to do, but we don't know how to get re-elected once we have done it.'

Mr Pound's discussion was witty, intelligent, informative and at many times during the afternoon hilarious with laughter in the marquee especially when he relayed experiences while in Northern Ireland.

The Q&A touched on topics such as trust in politics, politicians who inspired him, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, Artificial Intelligence etc.

Another memorable occasion was hearing Fr Yacoub Rafidi who had travelled from Ramallah in the West Bank to speak at the festival. Fr Rafidi is the Director of Schools for the Latin Patriarchate. The revealing interview was conducted by Brendan Metcalfe and Edmund Adamus from Friends of the Holy Land who had arranged Fr Yacoub's visit. It was a humbling experience to hear the way the schools and other programmes are offering hope, support and opportunity for the children, the community and wider society despite adversity.

CAFOD invited the Carmelite Provincial Superior of Lebanon and former President of Caritas Lebanon, Fr Michel Abboud OCD. He talked about the protracted conflict and crises in his homeland and how the Catholic Church and Caritas work for peace and support communities affected by conflict. See: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/55525

Aid to the Church in Need had a session featuring Ribqa Nevash who shared her powerful testimony of faith and persecution in Pakistan followed by a call to stand for religious freedom worldwide.

Fr Patrick van der Vorst hosted some eclectic sessions in the Beauty marquee which included a children's art competition exploring the lives of saints through storytelling, imagination and art.

Fr Patrick, with filmmaker Emmet Glynn (Cradle Studios) screened some outstanding films from Christian.Art's recent work. This was an imaginative way to discover how beauty, craftsmanship and storytelling can proclaim the Gospel and explore the growing renewal of Catholic filmmaking in the UK.

Fr Toby Lees OP, Priest Director of Radio Maria United Kingdom conducted many interviews which were broadcast live along with the main Masses over the weekend.

We are grateful to the hard work of the team and the support of Mgr John Armitage, Master of the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom for the marvellous and Grace filled WeBelieve Festival. We pray that it will continue to bear fruit in vocations to the religious life, Priesthood, married life, the single life etc and hope it will be an annual feature until the great jubilee in 2033 marking the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus.

This was a wonderful weekend where we were able to experience the Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and in others. It was a rich time for friendships and relationships to blossom by being inspired, encouraged, formed by teaching and being in a place filled with the best of our precious Catholic Faith.

We felt truly part of a life enhancing, beautiful, holy and apostolic Catholic Church united in its diversity.

The were many handmade goods available for purchase. The marmalade and differing chutneys made at Buckfast Abbey were particularly appealing and having purchased a selection we left with hearts full of thanks and love for Our Lord Jesus, ready to step into the mission we have been called to undertake.

LINK

WeBelieve: www.webelievefestival.com/