Pope Francis: Letter to Married Couples
Photo by Alex Iby on Unsplash
Source: Vatican News
Pope Francis released a letter for married couples across the globe on Sunday as part of the Amoris Laetitia Family Year in the runup to the World Meeting of Families, set for 26 June 2022.
Pope Francis begins his letter by expressing his desire that families feel his "affection and closeness at this very special time," which has been marked by the Covid-19 pandemic and recurring lockdowns.
"The present situation has made me want to accompany with humility, affection and openness each individual, married couple and family in all those situations in which you find yourselves."
Pope Francis focused his letter to couples on the constant presence of Jesus in the day-to-day situations of family life.
"Our relationship with God shapes us, accompanies us and sends us forth as individuals and, ultimately, helps us to "set out from our land", albeit in many cases with a certain trepidation and even fear in the face of the unknown."
Yet, he added, our Christian faith reminds us that we are not alone in the challenges of married life, since Jesus is present as time passes, children are born and grow up, and work and illness ebb and flow.
Married couples "set out towards the land that God promises: to be two in Christ, two in one," said the Pope. "Your lives become a single life; you become a 'we' in loving communion with Jesus, alive and present at every moment of your existence."
"God is always at your side; He loves you unconditionally. You are not alone!"
The Holy Father then turned his thoughts to couples with children. He urged parents to live Christ's love in every interaction, since children are always paying attention and soaking up everything.
"Children are always a gift; they change the history of every family. They are thirsty for love, gratitude, esteem and trust. Being parents calls you to pass on to your children the joy of realizing that they are God's children."
The Pope admitted that raising children is no easy task, but that children also "raise" their parents, helping them grow in authority that gives children a sense of security and confidence.
Pope Francis also urged couples to be active members in their parishes, assisting the Church in her mission of accompanying other families less aware of God's presence.
"You have the mission of transforming society by your presence in the workplace and ensuring that the needs of families are taken into due account," he said.
He called marriage a vocation and likened it to a boat on a sometimes stormy sea. Jesus, said the Pope, is always either in the boat to calm the sea or walking nearby and awaiting our invitation to climb aboard.
"It is important that, together, you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Only in this way, will you find peace, overcome conflicts and discover solutions to many of your problems. Those problems, of course, will not disappear, but you will be able to see them from a different perspective."
The Pope went on to reflect on the difficulties and opportunities facing families during the pandemic.
He said recurring lockdowns have forced many families to work, study, play and rest in the same house, a situation he said may be difficult at times.
"The time you spend together, far from being a penance, will be become a refuge amid the storms," he said. "May every family be a place of acceptance and understanding."
Pope Francis also recalled his invitation to say "please, thanks, sorry", while avoiding going to bed without making peace.
He encourages couples to pray together.
The Holy Father noted that some couples have found the pandemic unbearable and sought separation, a situation he lamented as causing great pain to children. But he assured separated couples of his "closeness and affection".
Finally, Pope Francis encouraged couples preparing for marriage to have "creative courage" as they make the more-difficult-than-ever journey toward married life.
And he sent a word of greeting to grandparents, many of whom have felt more alone during lockdowns, and called them "humanity's living memory."
The Pope wrapped up his letter to married couples with an encouragement to always live their vocation with a smile and enthusiasm, never letting their faces "grow sad or gloomy".
"May Saint Joseph inspire in all families a creative courage, so essential for these times of epochal change. May Our Lady help you to foster in your married lives the culture of encounter that we so urgently need in order to face today's problems and troubles."
Read the full Letter to Married Couples HERE
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