Pope encourages all families to read the Bible
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has asked for prayers for the bishops who are about to begin work in the two-week Synod of the Family and invited all families to keep a Bible handy in their homes, and read it often.
Addressing the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus prayer on Sunday, he mentioned the just-celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica to inaugurate the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family.
The Pope explained that the bishops have been called to take care and promote the family according to God’s plan, and thus they will meet for two intense weeks of listening and dialogue on the theme “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family within the context of Evangelization”.
“For the family to be able to proceed well, with trust and with hope, it must be nurtured by the Word of God” he said.
And mentioning the fact that in the Square the Pauline brothers had just distributed Bibles to those present, the Pope said: “Today, as the Synod for the Family opens, with the help of the Pauline brothers there is a Bible for every family! Not to just put it on a shelf, but to keep it on hand, dip into it often, both individually and together, husband and wife, parents and children, perhaps in the evening, especially on Sundays. In this way the family will grow and walk in the light and the strength of God’s Word!”
After the recitation of the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis recalled the beatification Saturday of Sister Maria Teresa Demjanovich in the United States and thanked the Lord for this “faithful disciple of Christ who led an intense spiritual life”.
He also remarked on the fact that Italy is marking the “Day for the Demolition of Architectural Barriers”, and he had words of encouragement for those who work to guarantee equal opportunities for all, regardless of the physical challenges of an individual.