Damon and Melanie Owens of Kennett Square are among 12 couples invited to represent the U.S. at this year’s World Meeting of Families in Rome, writes Steven Hoffman for the Chester County Press. 

The couple was invited by U.S. bishops to be a part of their 30-member U.S. delegation. 

“We were surprised — and thrilled — to say the least at the unexpected honor,” said Damon Owens. 

They already participated in the 2015 World Meeting of Families that took place in Philadelphia, where Pope Francis celebrated Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to an estimated crowd of one million people.

They expect, however, that this year’s gathering will be very different. It is an invitation-only event of only 2,000 delegates, representing nations worldwide under the theme “Family Love: A Vocation and a Path to Holiness.” 

“We hope to listen, learn, and share our thoughts on the realities of family life here in the U.S.,” said Melanie Owens. 

Pope Francis said that the upcoming World Meeting of Families “…is a wonderful opportunity to devote ourselves with enthusiasm to family ministry with spouses, families, and pastors together.” 

Read more about the Owens family in the Chester County Press.