A single volume containing the entire VIII World Meeting of Families, issued by the Pontifical Council for the Family, is now available. Published as a special issue of the magazine Familia et Vita, the book "Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive," includes all the Acts of Philadelphia (September 22nd-25th, 2015).
Leafing through the 931 pages of the work, constantly intent on being complete and detailed, the reader will find the six keynotes speeches and the 61 breakouts of the Meeting in the original languages, especially English, as well as the biographies of the different speakers.
In particular, we draw attention to the six keynote speeches: "Imago Dei as Privilege and Mission" by Fr. Robert Barron; "The Light of the Family in a Dark World" by Cardinal Robert Sarah; "Creating the Future: The Fertility of Christian Love" by Helen Alvaré; "A Gift from God: The Meaning of Human Sexuality" by Juan Francisco de la Guardia Brin and Gabriela N. de la Guardia; "The Family: A Home for the Wounded Heart" by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle; and "The Joy of the Gospel of Life" by Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley, OFM Cap.
The first two parts of the book—which introduce the third and last parts, entirely focused on the theological-pastoral congress—are respectively dedicated to Pope Francis' stay in Philadelphia (26-27 September) and to the events and celebrations (speeches, homilies and salutations) held during the VIII World Meeting. The first part gives the reader access to the collection of the texts, including the speech pronounced by the Holy Father at the Festival of the Family, on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, and his address to the US Bishops at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. The second part recounts the important moments of those days of celebration, such as the inauguration ceremony, presided over by the Archbishop of Philadelphia, Msgr. Charles Chaput, and Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the PCF.
In his introduction to the volume, Msgr. Paglia expresses the hope, also in view of the next World Meeting, planned for 2018 in Dublin, "that this publication will become an inspiration and stimulate the reflection and pastoral renewal in the local churches, as well as within movements and associations dedicated to the family, to marriage and human life."
To order and receive the book, send your request by email to this address:
pcf@family.va
