Indispensable Role of the Family in Transmitting the Faith

Pope Benedict XVI to Travel to Milan in June for the 7^th World Meeting of Families 

Vatican City, 28 February 2012 (VIS) - The programme of the Holy Father's forthcoming trip to Milan, Italy, for the Seventh World Meeting of Families was published today. The meeting is due to last from Tuesday 29 May to Sunday 3 June and will have as its theme: "The Family: Work and Celebration". Benedict XVI will be present for the last three days.

 

The World Meetings of Families trace their origins back to 1981 when Blessed John Paul II promulgated the Apostolic Exhortation "Familiaris consortio" and established the Pontifical Council for the Family. The first meeting was held in Rome in 1994 and they have been taking place every three years since then. Their purpose is to celebrate the divine gift of family, to bring families together to pray, and to increase understanding of the role of the Christian family as a domestic Church and the basic cell of evangelisation.

The Indispensable Role of the Family in Transmitting the Faith

Vatican City, 28 February 2012 (VIS) –In a press release, Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, recalled that the thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops is due to be held in the Vatican from 7 to 28 October on the theme: "The new evangelisation for the transmission of the Christian faith".

 

The communique notes that during the Council meeting "debate was particularly intense concerning the primacy of the faith at this time in history, characterised as it is by a crisis in faith which is also a crisis in the transmission of faith. Mention was made of the 'fruitlessness of current evangelisation', also due to the influence of modern culture which makes the transmission of the faith particularly difficult, and represents a challenge for both Christians and the Church. In this context, the Year of Faith will be a good occasion to develop to gift of the faith received from the Lord, to live it and transmit it to others.

"The primary place for the transmission of faith was identified in the family", the communique adds. "There the faith is communicated to young people who, in the family, learn both the contents and practice of Christian faith. The indispensable efforts of families are then extended by catechesis in ecclesial institutions, especially through the the liturgy with the Sacraments and the homily, or by giving space to parish missions popular piety, movements and ecclesial communities".

 

For more information please visit:

http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-benedict-xvi-schedule-for-meeting-of-families
http://www.news.va/en/news/the-indispensable-role-of-the-family-in-transmitti

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The Family:  Work and Celebration

Please visit the website of the Pontifical Council for the Family news about the upcoming World Meeting of Families including a newsletter, testimonies, prayers, videos:  http://www.family2012.com/document.php?id=18413

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Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our Father,

we adore you, Source of every union;

protect our families with Your blessings

where couples can be united

and a fulfilled life mutually shared by parents and children.

Behold

Creator of perfection and beauty;

grant to every family a just and noble job,

so that we can have the necessities in life

and enjoy the privilege of working together with You

in building humanity.

We magnify You,

Cause of our joy and delight;

lead our families to the paths of gladness and peace

to experience the perfect joy

granted to us by the Risen Christ.

May our days, although difficult or comforting,

be opportunities that will unfold your mystery of love and light

that Christ Your Son has revealed

and the life-giving Spirit has granted.

So that we may happily live as Your family,

on this journey towards You, Holy God forever and ever.

Amen

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