Opus Dei

Half-way through the Marian year for the family in Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarria recalls some advice of Saint Josemaria for families.

On June 15, Pope Francis spoke to families from Rome about the mystery and beauty of being parents in God's creative plan, "based on the diversity of being man and woman, the 'first' and most fundamental difference, constitutive of the human being."

Some extracts from Pope Francis' second encyclical LAUDATO SI’, with link to entire text on Vatican website in several formats.

English translation of Saint Francis' "Canticle of the Sun" (written in the Umbrian dialect), from which Pope Francis took the title for his encyclical "Laudato Si."

In his June 10 general audience, Pope Francis spoke about the "daily heroism" of families that care for a loved one who is ill.

In his June 3 general audience, Pope Francis began a cycle of reflections on the problems families face today, starting with poverty and a "culture of Mammon" that places money over family ties.

Maria Estela is Guatemalan. Several years ago she was taught the skills needed to earn an income in Ixoqui, a rural center that seeks to improve the material and spiritual life of the women in the area.

On the 26th of June, the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Josemaria, who died on this date in 1975. In this year of special prayer for families, we offer each day in June some advice of his on the family, both for the web and the social networks.

A collection of Pope Francis’ audiences on the family (2014-2015), downloadable as a free eBook.

Sunday May 31 is the feast of the Holy Trinity, and also the day the Church remembers our Lady's Visitation. Some resources for celebrating both feasts.