This is the Liturgy of the Hours for December 31. Your local date is .
October 5-19, 2014 Pope Francis will bring together key religious leaders from around the world for the Extraordinary Synod on the Family.
As stated by the Holy Father in the recently-released Instrumentum Laboris: there are “three main areas under discussion in the Church:
how the Gospel of the Family can be preached in the present-day;
how the Church’s pastoral care programme for the family might better respond to the new challenges today;
how to assist parents in developing a mentality of openness to life and in upbringing their children.”
Pope Francis understands that strengthening the family is the key to evangelization of all peoples and this Extraordinary Synod promises an infusion of grace and knowledge for the worldwide Church.
What should we do? We can pray, so that the bishops and those in authority, will lead the Church toward the fulfillment of God’s plan for the family and for all mankind.
Let us pray the prayer for the Synod, with which the Holy Father concludes the
Instrumentum Laboris:
PRAYER FOR THE SYNOD ON THE FAMILY
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendour of true love,
to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer,
authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic Churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again
experience violence, rejection and division:
may all who have been hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and healing.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
may the approaching Synod of Bishops
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
graciously hear our prayer!