Family, The Way Of The Church

The Synod on the Family is finally here! Bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful joined Pope Francis for the opening Mass yesterday. They will be meeting for the next two weeks in order to discuss the synod theme: “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization.”

According to the preparatory document for the synod, those gathered will discuss the “Gospel of the Family,” challenges to this Gospel in the modern world, and openness to life and raising children.

In his homily for the Synod’s opening Mass, Pope Francis said:

Synod Assemblies are not meant to discuss beautiful and clever ideas, or to see who is more intelligent… They are meant to better nurture and tend the Lord’s vineyard, to help realize his dream, his loving plan for his people. In this case the Lord is asking us to care for the family, which has been from the beginning an integral part of his loving plan for humanity.

Let us pray for the Bishops gathered, that they may care for families and show them how to be the “way of the Church.” Let us also ask St. John Paul II, the "pope of the family," to guide and sustain this Synod with his prayers from heaven.