In the report “
Sanctifying Celebration: The Family in the Lord's Day” presented in Milan at the VII World Meeting of Families, he said: “a way of measuring the success of our evangelization must be the loyalty of our parishioners at the Sunday Eucharist. This can only start with the family that is a “little church”. In the family, children learn the value of the Mass, are taught how to participate in the Eucharist, which not as a “thing for children” but an action that regards the family as a whole.”
"You —said the Cardinal to the many mothers and fathers in the room— you are the first teachers of your children in the faith. Your example of loyalty to the Sunday Mass, prayer and morality speaks more eloquently than the homily of any priest. When children see that their parents love the Sunday Mass they also start loving it. The reason you participate in Sunday Mass as a family and the reason for instructing them in the faith at school or catechism is one of the most important gifts you can give children.”
Of course, this is not an easy task. “We live in a time when people are confused, hurt and full of fear. Yet, I pray that our love for the Mass and the wonder of the Eucharist may increase. Let’s do what the two disciples on the road to Emmaus did. Let us hasten to say to the world that Christ is alive.”
