The essence of the family

At the opening, in the foreground: Blessed John Paul II whose pontificate gave “priority attention to the family.” Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, pointed out in his speech that “for the Pope of the new evangelization, the family, that small domestic church, was not just a saying. It signified an actual implementation of the real and specific Church. In fact, the spouses – as is written in Familiaris Consortio “not only relive the love of Christ and become a community of the saved, but they are also called to pass on to others the same love of Christ and become a saving community “(FC 49).

In the afternoon, the long-awaited meeting with the president of the Focolare, Maria Voce, who forged with the more than one thousand participants from all over the world, a profound dialogue, expressing her joy at being with families who offer themselves as instruments of unity in the environments in which they live.

The testimonies highlighted how faith in Love can transform and illuminate daily life, and be a support and guiding force in difficulties: illness, separation, and widowhood.

In collaboration with the youth section of the Focolare Movement, two moments were devoted to bringing up children. Topics related to educating were discussed in work groups: educating for a sober lifestyle, emotional education, and the use of media in relation to different age groups. A significant amount of space was dedicated to young families.

Many followed the program via internet from various listening stations around the world, during which time there were discussions about affectivity, communication, and spirituality. Messages of support arrived from: Canada, Venezuela, Israel, El Salvador, Brazil, etc. “Infinite thanks for this concrete love which allowed us to take part in the congress via internet,” they write from Panama, “re-affirming the value of the family and the faith that Jesus helps us to construct it. Society gives the idea that the family is out of style – but today, listening to you, we feel that the family is so modern and relevant.”

“You’ve illuminated every aspect of our married life,” they write from Slovenia. “Living the spirituality of the Gospel brings us to the fulfillment of our happiness and freshens the love that we want to bring to as many families as we can.”