Pope’s Message for the Second National Family Congress in Ecuador

(November 10, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI while emphasising the role of employment as sharing the creative work of God said that the lack of it and its consequences are against the dignity of man, that create situations of injustice and poverty, which often lead to despair, crime and violence. The Pope communicated this in his Message for the Second National Congress of Family held in Ecuador from the 9^th to the 12^th of November as a preparation for the VII World Meeting Families that will take place in Milan next year. The theme of the Congress is, “The Ecuadorian family in mission work and the Community serving the individual and the common good.” The Pontiff said that the theme recognizes the family, born of the covenant of love and total dedication and sincerity of a man and a woman in marriage is not a private fact to be contained in itself. The Family by its vocation provides a wonderful service and support to the common good of society and to the mission of the Church, he said. A home environment which is calm and constructive, supported by domestic duties and affections, is the first school of education and appropriate place for the person to discover his or her potential, to enhance the desire to excel and give effect to the noblest aspirations. In addition, family life teaches an individual to overcome selfishness, to nurture solidarity, to make sacrifices for the happiness of others, to value what is good and right, and applies them with conviction and generosity for the sake of common good, making the members of the family accountable to themselves, others and the environment. The Pope said that the family for its part must give time to discover God and receive new life, particularly the life in the Holy Spirit through prayer and Sunday Eucharistic celebrations.