Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) - The Archdiocese of Mexico City continues preparations for the celebration of the 6th World Family Encounter, which will take place in January 2009. According to a statement from Auxiliary Bishop Jonas Guerrero Corona, Secretary General of the organization of the Encounter, there have already been inquiries made by laity from 15 different countries interested in participating and an estimated 30,000 volunteers will be needed to attend the visitors.
Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico City, is positive about how the preparations are going so far for the 6th Family Encounter and has mentioned that the preparations being made in the Archdiocese are mainly of a catechetical nature, formative and reflexive, in which the mass media plays a fundamental role. During this month of May, material is being distributed in presentation of the WFE, the prayer, ten activities and three preparative themes. In addition, the icon of the Holy Family that will preside the Encounter has already been replicated so that it may travel to every parish, religious house, or home that will receive it and that those present may make spiritual preparations for this moment of grace.
In order to make practical ecclesial efforts, “Santa Maria de Guadalupe” Episcopal Vicariate has begun a series of preparative activities for priests, religious, and laity. “It is basically a way to begin taking concrete steps towards the commitment of Mexican families, in anticipation of this great event,” said Fr. Miguel Flores Martinez, who has been commissioned for the family apostolate of the Vicariate. Among the objectives in mind are: the forming teams for family outreach, integration of parish groups on the mission with parents, the promotion of Bible reading in the family, promotion of human Christian values, distribution of WFE materials (prayer, logo, icon, catechesis, reflections, informational pamphlets). This program that is designed to foster the formation of teams that promote and train persons to perform family outreach, began with a Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The plan also calls for the organization of a Family Expo, celebrating the day of the family not for commercial purposes but rather, in order to promote values and celebrate a diocesan encounter of the family. However, for the Committee for Family Pastoral Care in the area, it is extremely important that the catechetical and formative materials be applied practically, for example: recover traditions such as the blessing of the spouses and children, attend Sunday Mass as a family, promote the value of the matrimonial commitment and form groups of pre-matrimonial couples that foster the full and authentic meaning of spousal love, as God has blessed it.
In addition, the Vicariate has begun the pilgrimage tour of various copies of the Holy Family icon, stopping in schools, parishes, and other places, and for which, a liturgical rite of presentation and reception of the icon has been drawn up. There is also a weekly plan of liturgical prayers for the family. The program of the event also calls for the collaboration of the Society of Parents of Families of every educational institution and the tour of the Icon through the Vicariate’s forty schools. This program will continue until November 16, when there will be an encounter for families sponsored by the Vicariate, as a conclusion. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 16/5/2008 righe 42, parole 546)
