In the Sunday Angelus speech, Pope Francis announces a year to deepen the content of the Apostolic Exhortation “Amoris laetitia” during his reflection on the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Vatican News staff reporter
The Sunday feast of the Sagrada Familia, Pope Francis said in the weekly Angelus, invites us to reflect “on the fact that the Son of God wanted to have the warmth of a family, like all children”. That is why the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph can serve as a model “in which all families in the world can find their safe reference point and safe inspiration”.
Families open to joy
A fundamental note of the life of the Nazaré family was joy, with the Child Jesus “surrounded by the maternal affection of Mary and the care of Joseph, in whom Jesus could see the tenderness of God”
We too, said Pope Francis, “are called to rediscover the educational value of the family unit”. Families, he said, must be founded “on the love that always regenerates relationships, opening up horizons of hope”. The Pope stressed the importance in the family of prayer, affection, forgiveness, tenderness and adherence to God’s will. “In this way,” he said, “the family is open to the joy that God gives to all who know it. how to give with joy. “
A happy home, he added, is also expansive: “find the spiritual energy to open yourself to the outside world, to others, to the service of brothers and sisters, to collaboration in building an ever new and better world”, especially by example of daily life.
Three important words
Pope Francis recognized that every family has its problems, and sometimes, because we are human, because we are weak, we fight even within the family. “I want to tell you something,” said the Pope: “If we fight as a family, never end the day without making peace.” Again, he recommended three words that should be common in the whole family: “please”, “thank you” and “I’m sorry”. If those three words are present in the family, he said, the family will be in good shape.
A year of reflection on Amoris laetiatia
Returning to the theme “evangelize with the family”, Pope Francis said that the Sunday party proposes to us once again “the ideal of conjugal and family love, as emphasized by the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris laetitia, promulgated five years ago ”at the São José party in 2016.
The next year, he said, “will be a year of reflection on Amoris laetitia, ”He added,“ and it will be an opportunity to deepen the content of the document. ”During this special year, he said,“ these reflections will be made available to ecclesial communities and families, to accompany them on their journey. In particular, Pope Francis invited everyone “to participate in the initiatives that will be promoted during the year, and which will be coordinated by the Department for the Laity, the Family and Life”.
The Holy Father started to entrust the “way” of the Year “Amoris Laetitia Family “for” the Holy Family of Nazareth, and in particular for St. Joseph, the devout spouse and father. “
Following the Angelus, the Holy See Press Room confirmed that the special Year dedicated to the “Family Amoris laetitia, ”It will be inaugurated at the next Solemnity of Saint Joseph (March 19, 2021), and will end with the celebration of the Tenth World Meeting of Families, to be held here in Rome in June 2022.”