- Fr Dr Joseph Manavalan
Director, Family Apostolate Centre Ernakulam
History of the people of Israel begins with the call of Abra(ha)m (Gen 12:1ff). At God’s call, Abram received several blessings. A noteworthy point of them is that all the families (mishpachoth) of the earth would be blessed through Abraham. The significant aspect of it is that Abraham was conferred this blessing as a mission. And this mission echoes the core theme of the Bible – to transform the entire creation into a family of God.
Among the innumerable themes in the Bible, the theme of family certainly seals the theological frame of the Bible. The first book of the Bible, Genesis, begins with the creation of man and woman so as to be made suitable partners in marriage. Their union develops into a family. The final book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, describes the redeemed people, a great multitude from all nations, as a family standing before God and the Lamb (Jesus) in Heavenly Jerusalem. Thus, the Bible reveals that the intention of God from beginning to the end was to form humanity into a family around his presence. Initially though, this plan was thwarted by Adam, Jesus as the new Adam, through his redemptive work restored us into a family; and the call and mission of the patriarchs, Moses, and the prophets in the Old Testament were oriented to this mission of Christ.
Family Apostolate, the Mission of the Church
The Church as the visible and concrete expression of the mission of Christ on earth continues the same mission of making each family a foretaste of heaven on earth. And the Church accomplishes it through Family Apostolate.
Family Apostolate is the mission that helps families to grow, renew and sanctify in the union of love and life. The term Apostolate comes from the word apostle, and it means to be sent out. The clarion call of the Church to the faithful is to be evangelizers of families. However, how have the dioceses, congregations, parishes and individuals responded to the call of the Church in this regard is a question that calls for introspection.
Family Apostolate is the mission that helps families to grow, renew and sanctify in the union of love and life. The term Apostolate comes from the word apostle, and it means to be sent out. The clarion call of the Church to the faithful is to be evangelizers of families. However, how have the dioceses, congregations, parishes and individuals responded to the call of the Church in this regard is a question that calls for introspection.
Family Apostolate a Need of the Times
In the contemporary context, families face social challenges including financial strain, work-life balance issues, and evolving communication patterns due to the role played by technology. New information and communication technologies, especially social media, enter homes, blurring boundaries between the outside world and the domestic sphere as well as possibly disrupting subjective development trajectories. Contemporary families also grapple with increasing caregiving responsibilities for aging parents, changing marital dynamics, and issues of divorce, domestic violence, and abuse. Furthermore, diverse family structures and societal pressures related to social class, gender, and cultural background create unique challenges for modern family life. And the following situations do demand the active and creative accompaniment of the Church.
Economic and Work-Life Pressures
- Work-Life Balance: Balancing professional responsibilities with family time is a major challenge, reducing quality time and increasing tension.
- Financial Stress: Many families experience significant financial strain, leading to disagreements and increased pressure within the household.
- Socio-Economic Status: Different socio-economic backgrounds create varied challenges and opportunities for families and their children.
- Changing Family Structures and Relationships: Families are navigating more diverse structures, including LGBTQ+ families, which present unique legal and cultural hurdles.
- Parental Responsibilities: There is increased strain on relationships as adult children remain dependent longer, and there is greater caregiving responsibility for aging parents.
- Marital Strain: Changing expectations for marriage and economic pressures contribute to increased strain on marital relationships.
Impact of Technology
- Decreased Face-to-Face Interaction: Technology can reduce direct, in-person interaction within the family.
- Screen Time: Excessive screen time, influenced by social media, can negatively affect family bonding and communication patterns.
Violence and Abuse
- Domestic Violence: Violence between spouses remains a serious issue, though many cases go unreported.
- Child Abuse: Child abuse, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, causes lasting emotional and behavioural problems for children.
- Lack of boundaries in relationships
The Church, in order to become relevant in the contemporary world, needs to focus her attention more on these vexing problems and challenges that make our families vulnerable and helpless. Being the true bearer of the mission of Christ, she can guide them, propose remedial measures, and reorient them by rekindling the flame of love through accompaniment and formation.
- Discrimination and Prejudice: Families from marginalized groups, including racial and ethnic minorities and immigrant families, often face discrimination and prejudice.
- Changing Gender Roles: Evolving gender roles and expectations create complexities and potential conflicts within families.
The Church, in order to become relevant in the contemporary world, needs to focus her attention more on these vexing problems and challenges that make our families vulnerable and helpless. Being the true bearer of the mission of Christ, she can guide them, propose remedial measures, and reorient them by rekindling the flame of love through accompaniment and formation.
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Accompaniment, the new way of Family Apostolate
How can the presence of the Church be relevant in the contemporary world? Answer is ‘being with the people in their struggles, anxieties as well as joys and triumphs’. What is the methodology that should be adopted? The road to Emmaus (Lk 24:1335) signals a methodology for Family Apostolate. It is nothing but accompaniment. Jesus becomes a co-traveller with the two grief-stricken disciples.
How can the presence of the Church be relevant in the contemporary world? Answer is ‘being with the people in their struggles, anxieties as well as joys and triumphs’. What is the methodology that should be adopted? The road to Emmaus (Lk 24:1335) signals a methodology for Family Apostolate. It is nothing but accompaniment. Jesus becomes a co-traveller with the two grief-stricken disciples.
The disciples on the road to Emmaus were despondent, confused followers of Jesus who were slow to believe in the resurrection, even after hearing the eyewitness accounts of others. Their journey reflects a human struggle with loss and doubt, which is ultimately transformed into joyous recognition and renewed hope. As Jesus walks with them, he patiently and empathetically draws out their story, revealing their inner nature. After their encounter with the risen Jesus, they were filled with joy and enthusiasm, and became missionary-minded.
The Church needs to respond to the clarion call of Jesus to be co-travellers with the people of God. In Amoris Laetitia (2016), Pope Francis highlights the importance of pastoral accompaniment as an “art” that requires “prudence, understanding, patience and docility to the Spirit”. Pope Francis mentioned the words “accompany” and “accompaniment” more than sixty times in the document.
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Family Apostolate and Family Life Formation
Though there is several years of formation for priesthood and religious life, minimum or no formation is given to the vocation of Holy Matrimony. Many of the problems surge due to the lack of formation and follow-ups. Marriage Preparation Courses that the Church offers before marriage are the bare minimum; but what about the follow ups or ongoing formation? The exhortation Amoris Laetitia calls for a family ministry that extends beyond marriage preparation to provide systematic and ongoing formation for couples and parents at all stages of life.
The Church needs to respond to the clarion call of Jesus to be co-travellers with the people of God. In Amoris Laetitia (2016), Pope Francis highlights the importance of pastoral accompaniment as an “art” that requires “prudence, understanding, patience and docility to the Spirit”. Pope Francis mentioned the words “accompany” and “accompaniment” more than sixty times in the document.
Ongoing formation helps couples to develop the “antibodies” needed to navigate challenges in marriage and helps spouses live out their vocation to marriage more fully, fostering true love and intimacy. Responding to Modern Culture, in an era where marriage and family are uncertain, this formation provides a strong foundation based on faith and God’s truth. For this end, the Church as a whole through the dioceses and communities should develop and design follow up training programs.
Training programs should be given, catering to the needs of all sections of the family. Founding of various ministries like couple ministry, widow ministry, singles ministry, ministry for the elderly, teenagers etc., is an easy way to achieve this end. Most important among these ministries may be couple ministry as it can help couples to build strong marriages and thus transform the family and society effectively; because a bad marriage ruins not only the individual but the entire society. Being lay apostolate, these ministries can also help to ensure lay involvement and collaboration in the Church.
Ongoing formation helps couples to develop the “antibodies” needed to navigate challenges in marriage and helps spouses live out their vocation to marriage more fully, fostering true love and intimacy. Responding to Modern Culture, in an era where marriage and family are uncertain, this formation provides a strong foundation based on faith and God’s truth. For this end, the Church as a whole through the dioceses and communities should develop and design follow up training programs.
In conclusion, the mission of Christ is significant beyond time and space. And this mission primarily concerns the families; and so, the Church is duty-bound to take up Family Apostolate ministry during this changing times. Let the Church, therefore, turn her attention to the families more than before and invest time and resources to promote and foster our families, the domestic church through accompaniment and follow-ups.
