Concerned about the diminiishing of the Family’s significance in the world today, Pope Francis  gathered together Bishops and other Church representatives from countries across the globe in an “Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family”.  This first Synod is being held in Rome from 4th to 25th October. Further details are available here.

To keep up-to-date on reports from the Synod, click here.

Pope Francis has called on people to pray for families everywhere and for the success of this extraordinary Synod, providing this prayer:

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendour of true love,
to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer,
authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again
experience violence, rejection and division:
may all who have been hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
may the approaching Synod of Bishops
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
graciously hear our prayer.