Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) - “The Archdiocese of Mexico greets the 6th World Meeting of Families and welcomes all the participants, not only those here visiting but also those who will follow this event through the mass media.” This is what is contained in the Message issued by Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop Primate of Mexico, opening the 6th World Meeting of Families which is taking place in Mexico City January 14-18, 2009.
“Europeans, Asians, Africans, Americans, and people of various regions are all here in a festive and welcoming Mexico to talk about families and their values,” the text continues. All have something important to offer, those who live in the big cities with those who live in rural areas, workers, farmers, and indigenous people, professionals, students... “because each one of us forms part of a family, a plan designed by God from the dawn of creation and the root that we need to understand who we are and reach a happy and civilized future.” For the Cardinal, this great event constitutes “a challenge in making our commitment so that the great human family can live a greater brotherhood that makes it possible to pass on a better world to the future generations, one in which they can inherit a civilization of love marked by truth, freedom, justice, and peace.”
The 6th World Meeting of Families will host Special Envoy of His Holiness Benedict XVI, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, and in this important event there will be 98 countries represented and 200 Bishops and 30 Cardinals will be in attendance. The celebratory events on January 17-18, in which over 1 million people are expected to participate, will take place in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. On Saturday, there will be the recitation of the Rosary with testimonies of families from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. This will begin at 6pm local time. The Holy Father will be present at the event through a video-message that will be aired at the Closing Ceremony.
On Sunday, the Cardinal Secretary of State will preside the Solemn Closing Mass at 9am local time, in which couples will be able to renew their marriage promises. At the end of the Mass, Pope Benedict XVI will air a live message via satellite to address the participants and give his blessing. There will also be the announcement of the host city for the 7th World Meeting of Families. The Holy Father has also granted a plenary indulgence to those who participate in this Mass, even if it is by television, in accord with the requirements articulated by the Church. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 15/1/2009)
