Faithful Families Help Vocations, Pope Says
VATICAN CITY (Zenit.org) — Benedict XVI says that a peaceful family atmosphere favors vocations to the consecrated life.
He made that comment February 4, 2007, before reciting the Angelus, in the wake of Friday's celebration of the World Day of Consecrated Life.
"A peaceful family atmosphere, enlightened by faith and the holy fear of God, also favors the rise and flowering of vocations at the service of the Gospel," the Holy Father said, as the Diocese of Rome launched the "Week of Life and the Family."
"I am referring in particular, not only to those called to follow Christ on the path of priesthood, but also to men and women religious, consecrated persons, whom we remembered last Friday on the World Day of Consecrated Life," the Pope added.
The Pontiff called on believers to pray "so that with a constant effort in favor of life and of the family our communities may become places of communion and hope, in which is renewed, despite the many difficulties, the great 'yes' of authentic love to the reality of the human being and of the family, according to the original plan of God."