defend life, build peace »« vatican ii and faith

marriage and family

December 1, 2012

"NO FUTURE"

...Without the family humanity has no future; young people in particular need to learn the values that give meaning to life, they need to be born into and grow up in that community of life and love which God Himself desired for men and women.

RECEIVE CHRIST'S GIFT

Dear married couples, by means of a special gift of the Holy Spirit, Christ gives you a share in His spousal love, making you a sign of His faithful and all-embracing love for the Church. If you can receive this gift, renewing your "yes" each day by faith, with the strength that comes from the grace of the sacrament, then your family will grow in God's love according to the model of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

"PRAY OFTEN"

Pray often for the help of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, that they may teach you to receive God's love as they did.

"NOT EASY"

Your vocation is not easy to live, especially today, but the vocation to love is a wonderful thing, it is the only thing that can truly transform the cosmos, the world.

"WATCH OVER YOUR CHILDREN"

Dear married couples, watch over your children and, in a world dominated by technology, transmit to them, with serenity and trust, reasons for living, the strength of faith, pointing them towards high goals and supporting them in their fragility.

A WORD TO CHILDREN

... Let me add a word to the children here: be sure that you always maintain a relationship of deep affection and attentive care for your parents, and see that your relationships with your brothers and sisters are opportunities to grow in love.

"THE LIGHT OF PEACE"

It is in the family that the light of peace is first kindled in hearts so that they may illuminate our world.

SUNDAY AND FREEDOM

... Sunday is the day of the Lord and of men and women, a day in which everyone must be able to be free, free for the family and free for God. In defending Sunday, we defend human freedom!

(Sources: Homily, World Meeting of Families, 6/3/12, Milan, Italy; General Audience, 6/ 6/12)