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Pope: Message for the 46th World Day of Social Communications

Pope Benedict XVI^th has released his message for the 46^th World Day of Social Communications which falls on May 20^th, 2012. The theme he has chosen this year is "Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization".

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we draw near to World Communications Day 2012, I would like to share with you some reflections concerning an aspect of the human process of communication which, despite its importance, is often overlooked and which, at the present time, it would seem especially necessary to recall. It concerns the relationship between silence and word: two aspects of communication which need to be kept in balance, to alternate and to be integrated with one another if authentic dialogue and deep closeness between people are to be achieved. When word and silence become mutually exclusive, communication breaks down, either because it gives rise to confusion or because, on the contrary, it creates an atmosphere of coldness; when they complement one another, however, communication acquires value and meaning.

Vatican Congress looks at the role of the family through film

This June, Milan will host the sixth World Meeting of Families. The John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family launched this congress to see how movies can help promote the concept of family. It involved two filmmakers and an Italian actress, and Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, was there to close the meeting.

Put the Holy Family at the Heart of Your Family

Every family has the perfect model in the Christmas story’s family. During the Christmas season, we celebrate the Holy Family’s feast day, which is Dec. 30 this year.
Indeed, Blessed John Paul II called the Holy Family of Nazareth “the prototype and example for all Christian families.”

In November, on his trip to Benin in West Africa, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about forming families according to God’s design and “in fidelity to his plan for Christian marriage” so they grow to be “true domestic churches.”

Back in 1981, in Familiaris Consortio (On the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World), John Paul II discussed “establishing the family as a ‘Church in miniature’ (Ecclesia domestica)” because “in its own way the family is a living image and historical representation of the mystery of the Church.”

Pope Benedict XVI: Jesus - a voice that speaks of Peace

A chilly morning in Rome did nothing to dissuade pilgrims, visitors and families with young children from filling St Peter’s Basilica this morning for the Pope’s first public Mass of the new year, a Mass marking both a Feast Day and an international commemoration – as Seàn-Patrick Lovett reports.

On the first day of the New Year, the Church turns to Our Lady, dedicating January 1^st to Mary the Mother of God. It’s also the day on which the Pope invites us to reflect on the theme of Peace. January 1^st 2012 marks the 45^th World Day of Peace and so both Mary and Peace were at the heart of the Pope’s homily during the solemn Mass celebrated in St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday morning.

Looking ahead: Vatican's top ten stories of 2012

The Vatican already knows that 2012 will be full of events, traveling, canonizations and key anniversaries.

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