At the 2012 General Chapter, we made a committment to support and accompany all families with particular attention to the value and beauty of life from conception to natural death.
This mission is on of our four ’Global Concerns’ (along with Lack of Faith, Modern Day Slavery and the Ecological Crisis of our time). We believe that the family is the foundation of society and the prime educator of children. We also believe that it is being more and more affected by the socio-cultural, moral and economic changes of our time and thus is fragile.
No doubt, Pope’s Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation on the Love in the Family will aid in our ministry to and with families.
The entire text can be downloaded here:
The text ends with a Prayer to the Holy Family. We offer it here as a blessing to all families!
Prayer to the Holy Family
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendour of true love;
to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer,
authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again experience
violence, rejection and division;
may all who have been hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and healing.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Graciously hear our prayer.
Amen
