INTRODUCTION TO AMORIS LAETITIA, THE JOY OF LOVE

WHAT IS AMORIS LAETITIA?Amoris Laetitia, “On Love in the Family,” is the recent apostolic exhortation written by Pope Francis on love, marriage, and family life. In this letter, the Holy Father is drawing on the Synods of Bishops on the Family to present an “examination of the situation of families in today’s world, and thus for a broader vision and a renewed awareness of the importance of marriage and the family” (AL, 2).

The Joy of Love experienced by families is also the joy of the Church. As the Synod Fathers noted, for all the many signs of crisis in the institution of marriage, “the desire to marry and form a family remains vibrant, especially among young people, and this is an inspiration to the Church”. As a response to that desire, “the Christian proclamation on the family is good news indeed” (AL, 1).

WHAT IS AN APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION?An apostolic exhortation is a letter to the Church which is a part of the Pope’s teaching office. Amoris Laetitia is a post-synodal apostolic exhortation because it follows the Synods on the Family, taking up the themes of the Synods and deepening them further. Pope Francis writes: “I thought it appropriate to prepare a post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation to gather the contributions of the two recent Synods on the family, while adding other considerations as an aid to reflection, dialogue and pastoral practice, and as a help and encouragement to families in their daily commitments and challenges.”

“This Exhortation is especially timely in this Jubilee Year of Mercy. First, because it represents an invitation to Christian families to value the gifts of marriage and the family, and to persevere in a love strengthened by the virtues of generosity, commitment, fidelity and patience. Second, because it seeks to encourage everyone to be a sign of mercy and closeness wherever family life remains imperfect or lacks peace and joy” (AL, 5).

WHAT WERE THE SYNODS ON THE FAMILY?The Synod of Bishops is an assembly of bishops from around the world who assist the Holy Father by providing counsel on important questions facing the Church. In 2013, Pope Francis called for two gatherings of the Synod, called “General Assemblies”, to discuss topics related to the family and evangelization. The Extraordinary (because it occurred outside the ordinary cycle of synods) General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family took place in October 2014. The Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the family followed a year later in October 2015, shortly after Pope Francis’ visit to Washington, New York, and Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families.

WHAT ARE THE KEY THEMES OF AMORIS LAETITIA?Each of these themes will be explored more deeply through additional fliers in the coming weeks. You can also find all of this information online at www.visiblesign.org.

• LOVEINMARRIAGE Understanding married love through Scripture, particularly 1 Corinthians 13. (Two parts)

• GOD’SPLANFORLOVE “Building sound and fruitful homes in accordance with God’s plan.” (AL, 6)

• RAISINGCHILDRENOFFAITH Passing on the faith and preparing children for their own vocation to marriage.

• THEFAMILYOFFAMILIES How the parish is the family of families and calls every Christian to look to the Holy Family as the icon of marriage and family life.

• TENINSIGHTSFROMTHEJOYOFLOVE These ten insights are keys to understanding some of the most important pastoral recommendations in order to inspire further reading and discussion.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY FAMILY

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 Gospeland small domestic churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,may families never again experience

violence, rejection and division;may all who have been

hurt or scandalizedfind ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth,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.

Amen.

To read more visit VisibleSign.org.