Join the prayer for families

Friday, Oct. 17, 2014

I have an app on my iPhone called “Pope Francis Daily Surprise,” and every day at 8 a.m. it sends me a text message with a quote from Pope Francis. As I was contemplating what I would write about this month, I went through the recent messages from the Pope and was inspired by these words he has for families: “May each family rediscover family prayer, which helps to bring about mutual understanding and forgiveness.”

As bishops from around the world are gathered for the Extraordinary Synod on the Family in Rome, and Catholics from around the globe are preparing for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, the importance of the family is the focus of the Church. I encourage you, also, to embrace the importance of family in your own lives. Make an effort to spend quality time with members of your family. Share a meal together, volunteer together, have a face-to-face discussion with a family member whom you haven’t seen in a while, and pray together. Use the prayer below as part of your family prayer. It is the official prayer of the World Meeting of Families and is being prayed by millions of families.

God and Father of us all,

in Jesus, your Son and our Savior,

you have made us

your sons and daughters

in the family of the Church.

May your grace and love

help our families

in every part of the world

be united to one another

in fidelity to the Gospel.

May the example of the Holy Family,

with the aid of your Holy Spirit,

guide all families, especially those most troubled,

to be homes of communion and prayer

and to always seek your truth and live in your love.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!