"One of the places where your presence seems most needed and significant is, first and foremost, the family." Inspired by Pope Francis' words to the Italian Bishops, the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, in collaboration with the Italian Episcopal Conference's National Offices for Ministry to the Family and Vocations, proposes a course of continuing formation in family ministry.
Designed especially for priests, religious and deacons, the course—explain the promoters—"wants to stimulate the deepest part of the priests' hearts to accompany families, and to show the intrinsic relationship between the family and faith, seeing precisely in this connection the family's inherent strength as a subject of evangelization. In the vital comparison between family life and the priestly ministry—they add—a richer understanding of their own specific vocation to love develops."
The two-month part-time program allows the priests to continue their pastoral work in their parishes or dioceses, thanks to the operational intertwining of the courses, which are divided into several areas (in the anthropological, moral, pastoral and social fields, with special reference to the Motu Proprio Mitis Iudex). The program also includes testimonies, workshops, cultural programs and sharing the Eucharist, "the center and source of this unity of vocations that animates all of the Church's action."
Registration is open until 30 September.
