Posted January 20, 2015

See the daily excerpt from the preparatory catechesis for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”

96. Earlier in this catechesis, citing Saint Augustine, we saw that the purpose of having children was not merely to continue the species or build up civil society, but to fill the heavenly city with the joy of new life. This distinction — between the natural goal of procreation and the theological vocation to prepare for the Kingdom of God in full flower — enables the Church to make a further point: To fulfill their destiny as men and women, all persons can be fruitful, but not everyone need marry.

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In its introduction, the document says its aim is to present “Catholic teaching in a way that is fresh, insightful, and accessible to contemporary Catholics and all people of good will.” The catechesis “offers a narrative beginning with our creation, soberly noting our fall and the challenges we face, but emphasizing God’s plan for our salvation. Love is our mission, and it is by loving God and one another that we will be fully alive.”

Each day in CatholicPhilly.com’s World Meeting of Families section you can reflect on the official Catholic teaching on the family presented in the catechesis, pray a special prayer together as a family or individually, and stay on top of breaking news about the events coming Sept. 22-27, 2015.

Order the catechesis for your home via Our Sunday Visitor, and visit WorldMeeting2015.org for more information on the events.

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