Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) – In a letter addressed to all parish pastors, religious communities, apostolic movements and associations, schools, etc. of the Archdiocese, the Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, invites everyone to participate in the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family on December 28, with the theme: “The family, a grace from God,” which will be held in Plaza de Colón in Madrid, featuring a special Mass for families from all across Spain. In his letter, the Archbishop of Madrid mentions that “the Feast of the Holy Family is an invitation presented to us during the season of Christmas, to give thanks to God because He has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live in a family that would become a model for all of us in our familial relationships.” The Cardinal says that celebrating the family as a grace from God is “one of the greatest joys of Christmas. The family is a grace from God because Christ has sanctified it with His presence and has made it the place where he grew in age, wisdom, and grace before God and men.” Thus, this event is an invitation to all Christians, “to make our families places of God's grace where everyone, following Christ's example, can live this process of holiness and offer the entire world the attractive testimony of a life lived in Christ.”
With these reasons in mind, the Archdiocese of Madrid will celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family with a special Mass in Plaza de Colón, at 12pm on December 28 (Feast of the Holy Family). The event will be preceded the recitation of the Angelus with the Holy Father in Rome, “in which he will offer us his words of encouragement and blessing.”
The Cardinal invites “the entire diocesan community to this celebration of the faith, especially for the families.” “Families from all over Spain will participate, accompanied by their Bishops, who will join us in the same faith and Eucharistic communion manifesting that all of us form one and the same family in God.”
The act that took place on December 30 of last year, was attended by over 200,000 people, and showed that an event of this kind implies a great effort. Thus, the Cardinal reminds everyone that “communion makes us leave aside our own interests and comforts, in order to demonstrate that we are one People of God, one Body of Christ. Thus, may no one remain indifferent to this call that I make to you as Bishop of Madrid.” The Cardinal sends out a special invitation “to the youth and children, to offer testimony of their joy and youth in Christ.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 10/12/2008)
