Today at the Vatican, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia presented Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive, the foundational document for the eighth World Meeting of Families, to be held in Philadelphia in 2015.
Love Is Our Mission is a preparatory catechesis designed for use by dioceses and parishes throughout the world in preparation for the World Meeting. The short, accessible document develops the 10 themes of the meeting and will be utilized by study groups and families, and in curricula and other materials.
The World Meeting of Families — Philadelphia 2015 is co-sponsored by the Pontifical Council for the Family and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This will be the first time that this international gathering will be held in the United States.
The president of Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, Greg Erlandson, said that the timing and location of the World Meeting in 2015 is providential. «The family is under great stress in our country, but at the same time plays a critical role in both the Church and society. Strengthening the family is a critical priority if we are to truly bring the good news to modern women and men.»
Love Is Our Mission was written to help Catholics renew their appreciation and understanding of Church teaching on the family, marriage, sexuality, children, human dignity, and the sanctity of life — linking it with Pope Francis’ call for all Christians to «acknowledge how beautiful, true, and good it is to start a family, to be a family today.» He encourages everyone to «make known God’s magnificent plan for the family as we accompany them amidst so many difficulties.»
Presented in 10 easy-to-understand chapters, Love Is Our Mission covers topics such as:
– the ultimate purpose of human life,
– how procreation shares in God’s plan,
– marriage as a mirror of God’s covenant,
– children as humanity’s future,
– how other vocations complement marriage,
– the family as an exemplary societal unit,
– the Church as mother and nurturer to all families, and more.
Each chapter concludes with questions for introspection or discussion, ideal for individuals, families or groups.
«Love Is Our Mission explains how all of Catholic teaching about sex, marriage and the family flows from our basic beliefs about Jesus,» said Archbishop Chaput. «We encourage everyone to study this catechesis, discuss it with others…. The family and the Church are mutually dependent on one another.»
The book is available in English and Spanish through Our Sunday Visitor (OSV.com), as well as many online retailers and Christian and Catholic bookstores.
The World Meeting of Families has been held every three years since its inception by Pope St. John Paul II in 1994. It is the largest international Catholic gathering of families. Other cities that have hosted the event include Rome (1994, 2000), Rio de Janeiro (1997), Manila (2003), Valencia, Spain (2006), Mexico City (2009) and Milan (2012).
