Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, will represent the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference at the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of Bishops, which will take place at the Vatican from 5 to 19 October, to discuss the topic: “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelisation.”
As this Sunday, 28 September, is the worldwide day of prayer for the Synod of Bishops on the Family, the bishops of Ireland invite the faithful to offer their prayerful support to the synod fathers.
Bishops suggest the prayer below provided by Pope Francis for the Synod of Bishops during his Angelus address on the Feast of the Holy Family on 29 December last.
Parishioners across the country are asked to pray this prayer as final preparations take place for the Synod:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendor 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 scandalised
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.
Amen
