Scottish Catholic Observer

In his angelus address this morning, Pope Francis prayed for next year’s Synod of Bishops, which will discuss pastoral challenges to the family.

The Holy Father announced this morning, on the feast day of the Holy Family, that the preparatory phase for next year’s synod on the family ‘has already begun some time ago.’

“I wish to entrust this synodal work to Jesus, Mary and Joseph, praying for families around the world,” the Pope said at St Peter’s Square this morning.

The Holy Father asked those who joined him to pray that, as we approach the synod, it makes us ‘once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan.’

The Pope dedicated his angelus message to considering Jesus’ own family as an example for families everywhere, specially those that are displaced and suffering.

“God wanted to be born in a human family, He wanted to have a mother and a father, like us,” he explained.

“It is an example that does much good for our families, helping them to become ever more a community of love and reconciliation, in which one experiences tenderness, mutual help, and mutual forgiveness.”

The Holy Father noted, however, that in being forced to flee Egypt to escape the threat of being killed by Herod, the Holy Family experienced the dramatic condition of refugees, ‘marked by fear, uncertainty and need.’

“Unfortunately, in our day, millions of families can see themselves in this sad reality,” Pope Francis said. “Refugees and immigrants do not always find true welcome (or) respect.

“Yet Jesus wanted to belong to a family that had experienced these difficulties, to show that no one is excluded from the nearness of God’s love.”

The Holy Father added that even in families who do not face such dramatic circumstances ‘exiled persons’ can be found.

“The elderly, for example, who sometimes are treated as a burdensome presence,” he highlighted. “Many times I think that one sign to know how a family is doing is to see how the children and elderly are treated in it.”

In a family that remembers the key three phases: ‘excuse me,’ ‘thank you’ and ‘I’m sorry,’ ‘there is peace and joy,’ Pope Francis concluded.

The Synod of Bishops on the Family will take place at the Vatican from October 5-19 next year.

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 scandalised find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth, may the approaching Synod of Bishops 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.