VATICAN CITY, APRIL 13, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI today recorded a video message for participants in the 3rd National Family Gathering, which begins Friday in Melbourne, Australia.
After today’s general audience, during the multilingual greetings, the Pope addressed an English-language video message to the conference.
«I am pleased to send my warm greetings to all who are gathering at Xavier College in Melbourne for the 3rd National Family Gathering,» the Holy Father said. «This important event is an occasion for you not only to witness to the bonds of affection within your individual families, but also to deepen them with the wider family of God, which is the Church, so that you become protagonists of a new humanity, a renewed culture of love and unity, of life and stability, giving glory to God our Father at all times.»
The conference, which has the theme «Share the Dream: Families Transforming the World,» has six keynote speakers, including a Vatican official: Bishop Jean Laffitte, secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Family.
The Bishop of Rome assured the participants of his prayers, «especially for your children and for those who are ill.»
«Commending you to the Holy Family of Nazareth and invoking the intercession of St. Mary MacKillop,» he concluded, «I willingly impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of joy and peace.»
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On the Net:
National Family Gathering: www.sharethedream.org.au
