Why should young people value family life and go on to form new families of their own? This is one of the questions that bishops will consider at the upcoming synod in October, dedicated to young people, the faith, and vocational discernment.
“In the future, I hope that we too will manage to form our family, although these are very difficult times,” one young couple told Aleteia.
Their concern is one that many young people share. Forming a family through marriage and having children seems daunting in today’s world. Instead, more and more young people today are seeking out alternative forms of loving support, besides that of biological relatives.
Family is “a group of people united by love,” one young woman said, repeating a common theme. Young people affirmed that “family” can be found in friendships, neighborhoods, and other forms of community.
Yet family is something young people do highly value. They see clearly the need for authentic and caring human relationships, especially in a society whose technological advances have made so many people feel disconnected.
“Family is the most beautiful gift life can give us,” one woman said.
The Church has a special role to play in helping young people form healthy, genuine family relationships. The Catechism calls Christian families to be “islands of Christian life in an unbelieving world,” asserting that “believing families are of primary importance as centers of living, radiant faith” (CCC 1655-1656).
Thus faith and grace play a key role in building and maintaining Christian families.
“Family is a place where you experience God’s love,” a young woman told Aleteia.
Young people can only benefit from the Church’s guidance and support as they seek to discover how to form a true “domestic church,” despite the difficulties.
And today we celebrate...