Pope Benedict and the Family...

Praised be Jesus and Mary!

Recently Pope Benedict XVI has been focusing on the importance of the family in today's world. His general prayer intention for January is principally about the family and his remarks last Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Family, showed how the "family reveals the nature of God."

First of all, his general prayer intention is that: "That the family may become more and more a place of training in charity, personal growth and transmission of the faith."

Secondly, here are a few excerpts from his homily on the Feast of the Holy Family. For the full article, go to Zenit.org.

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 1, 2009 - On the feast of the Holy Family, Benedict XVI said that families reveal what God himself is: love.

He said that Jesus' family "truly merits the title of 'holy,' since it is entirely focused on the desire of fulfilling the will of God, incarnated in the adorable presence of Jesus."

"In one sense it is a family like all others, and as such, it is a model of conjugal love, collaboration, sacrifice, confidence in divine providence, a spirit of work and solidarity," he said. "At the same time, though, the family of Nazareth is unique, different from all others, because of its singular vocation, linked to the mission of the Son of God.

"Precisely because of its unique character, it presents to every family, and in the first place to Christian families, the horizon of God, the sweet and demanding priority of his will, the perspective of heaven, to which we are destined."

"The family is certainly a grace from God, which reveals what he, himself, is: love. A love that is entirely gratuitous, that sustains fidelity without limits, even in the moments of difficulty or dejection. [...]

"Dear families, do not allow the love, openness to life, and the incomparable bonds that unite your homes to be spoiled. Ask this constantly of the Lord, pray together, so that your resolutions are enlightened by faith and extolled by divine grace in the path toward sanctity."

He assured that "the Pope is at your side, praying especially to the Lord for those in each family who have greatest need of health, work, consolation and company."