PARENTS AND FAMILIES

"THE BELIEVING FAMILY"

In a world that is becoming even more secularized, the great task of the believing family is to become conscious of its own vocation and mission.

"SAFEGUARD AND INTENSIFY PRAYER"

In every circumstance, the starting point for this work is to safeguard and intensify prayer, an unceasing prayer to the Lord to increase ones faith and make it more vigorous.

"INDISPENSABLE SOURCE"

The indispensable source of energy and renewal, when frailty and weakness increase, is the encounter with the living Christ ... This is why you must develop an intense spiritual life and open your soul to the Word of life.

"DO NOT SURRENDER"

Special care must be shown to young spouses so that they do not surrender in the face of problems and conflicts. Prayer, frequent recourse to the sacrament of reconciliation, spiritual direction, must never be abandoned with the idea that one can replace them with other techniques of human and psychological support.

"TENDER AND MERCIFUL"

We must never forget what is essential, namely, to live in the family under the tender and merciful gaze of God.

"THE BEST ANTIDOTE"

The richness of the sacramental life, in the life of the family, that participates in the Eucharist every Sunday ... is undoubtedly the best antidote for confronting and overcoming obstacles and tensions.

"DEPRIVED OF ANY DEFENSE"

It is clear that if sacramental life is weak, the family yields more easily to snares, because it is deprived of any defenses.

"SUPPORT FOR COUPLES"

How important it is to foster family support for couples, especially young couples, by families who are spiritually and morally solid. It is a fruitful and necessary apostolate at this time in history.

PARENTAL DUTY

Many times parents do not feel prepared and even fear to assume what is their duty, the task of the integral education of their children.

"SERIOUS OBSTACLES"

It might be that, due to the lack of any dialogue, the children feel serious obstacles when it comes to seeing in their parents genuine models to imitate, and look elsewhere for models and lifestyles that are often false and harmful to human dignity and to genuine love.

(Source: Audience with Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Family, October 18, 2002)