(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis issued a letter to Families on Tuesday in which he asks
for prayers for two upcoming meetings which will have the family as their main theme.
In
his letter addressed to families, Pope Francis asks for their support and prayers
for the upcoming Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which is
being convened to discuss the theme of “pastoral challenges to the family in the context
of evangelization”.
The Pope says that this Synod is dedicated in a special
way to families, to their “vocation and mission in the Church and in society; to the
challenges of marriage, of family life, of the education of children; and the role
of the family in the life of the Church.”
The Holy Father goes on to say that
the meeting will involve all the people of God including bishops, priests, and lay
faithful of the particular Churches of the entire world, all of whom he adds, are
“actively participating in preparations for the meeting through practical suggestions
and the crucial support of prayer”.
The Pope also asks for the prayers of families
for the World Meeting of Families which is due to take place in Philadelphia in September
2015.
Pope Francis expresses the hope that through these vital prayers for
both events, the Church will undertake “a true journey of discernment and adopt the
necessary pastoral means to help families face their present challenges with the light
and strength that comes from the Gospel.”
In conclusion, the Pope underlines
that it is Jesus himself who illuminates the path of families in their daily lives
and sustains everyone in their journey. Listen to Lydia O’Kane’s report: