Family life is a pilgrimage, Pope says at jubilee of families

December 28, 2015

The readings for the Feast of the Holy Family emphasize family life as a pilgrimage, Pope Francis said during Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on December 27.

During the extraordinary jubilee year of mercy, the Feast of the Holy Family was also commemorated as the jubilee of families.

“Fathers, mothers and children together go to the house of the Lord, in order to sanctify the holy day with prayer,” the Pope preached. “It is an important teaching, which is meant for our own families as well. Indeed, we could say that family life is a series of pilgrimages, both small and big.”

“How important it is for our families to journey together towards a single goal!,” he continued. “We know that we have a road to travel together; a road along which we encounter difficulties but also enjoy moments of joy and consolation. And on this pilgrimage of life we also share in moments of prayer.”

Pope Francis added:

What can be more beautiful than for a father and mother to bless their children at the beginning and end of each day, to trace on their forehead the sign of the cross, as they did on the day of their baptism? … In the same way, it is important for families to join in a brief prayer before meals, in order to thank the Lord for these gifts and to learn how to share what we have received with those in greater need. These are all little gestures, yet they point to the great formative role played by the family in the pilgrimage of everyday life.

 

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Further information:

• Holy Mass for the Families 2015.12.27 (YouTube Vatican)
• Santa Messa nella Festa della Santa Famiglia di Gesù, Maria e Giuseppe e per il Giubileo delle Famiglie, 27.12.2015 (Holy See Press Office)
• Booklet for the Celebration of Holy Mass (Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff)