杏MAP导航

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

鈥淚鈥檓 exciting to think I鈥檒l come back to Ireland!鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis declares in a video message published on Tuesday evening. In the video, the 杏MAP导航 affectionately greets all the people of Ireland just a few days before his Apostolic Journey there in which he will take part in the World Meeting of Families (WMOF)

Celebrating the family

The 杏MAP导航 calls the WMOF a 鈥渃elebration of the beauty of God鈥檚 plan for the family鈥�. It is also, he says,

an opportunity for families from all over the world to meet and support each other in living out their special vocation.

Family鈥檚 essential role

He then recognizes challenges families face in their vocation to 鈥渋ncarnate faithful love, raise children with healthy values鈥�, and to be 鈥渓eaven of goodness, love, and mutual care鈥�.

The 杏MAP导航 then says that he hopes that the WMOF will be a 鈥渟ource of renewed encouragement鈥� for families. He reminds us that the family plays an essential role in creating a 鈥渂etter future for young people鈥�. That future is built both on the present and the past as well 鈥� 鈥渢he young and grandparents鈥�, he says.

杏MAP导航鈥檚 desires

杏MAP导航 Francis expresses the desire to 鈥渆mbrace all members of Irish families鈥�, during his upcoming Apostolic Journey. He hopes it will 鈥渋ncrease unity and reconciliation鈥� and be a sign of that peace 鈥渨hich is God鈥檚 dream for the whole human family鈥�.  He then thanks all those who are preparing for his visit, and asks for prayers so that his visit will be one of joy and serenity, 鈥渁 caress of Jesus鈥� tender love鈥�. He concludes asking for prayers for himself and giving his heartfelt blessing.