Pope Francis to Filipino families: Dream together

Published January 16, 2015 9:24pm

Dream together.

That was how Pope Francis framed his message on the final event on the second day of his Philippine visit, an "encounter with families" at Mall of Asia Arena.

"To dream how your daughter or son will be. It is not possible to have a family without such dreams. When you lose this capacity to dream, then you lose the capacity to love and this energy to love is lost," Pope Francis said in his message following a Liturgy of the Word.

The Pope spoke at length on families, calling them "the country's greatest treasure" and using the story of St. Joseph, who cared for his wife Mary and foster son Jesus, to tell his message.

"I recommend that at night when you examine your consciences, ask yourselves: Today, did I dream about my sons and daughters? Did I dream of the love of my husband or my wife? Did I dream of my parents, my family? It is so important," the Pope said.

"I like this idea of dreaming in a family," said the Argentine pontiff in Spanish. "It is so important to dream, and dream in a family. Please, don't lose this ability to dream in this way."

While talking about the threats that families all over the world face, he spoke specifically about challenges facing Filipino families.

"Here in the Philippines, countless families are still suffering from the effects of natural disasters. The economic situation has caused families to be separated by migration and the search for employment, and financial problems strain many households," Pope Francis said.

"While all too many people live in dire poverty, others are caught up in materialism and lifestyles which are destructive of family life and the most basic demands of Christian morality. Those are the ideological colonizations," he added.

The Pope underscored the need for Filipino families "to be a support and example for other families."

With an estimated 80 million members, the Philippines is the largest Catholic country in Asia.

"Every threat to the family is a threat to society itself. The future of humanity, as Saint John Paul II often said, passes through the family," he said.

From conception to natural death

As in his message, the Pope called on Filipinos to also be on the lookout for threats to human life including that of the unborn child.

"Protect your families. See in them your country’s greatest treasure and nourish them always by prayer and the grace of the sacraments. Families will always have their trials, but may you never add to them!" Pope Francis said.

"Instead, be living examples of love, forgiveness and care. Be sanctuaries of respect for life, proclaiming the sacredness of every human life from conception to natural death," he added.

Pope Francis adverted to the gospel reading on how Saint Joseph protected Jesus and Mary when the newborn Lord was threatened by Herod in Bethlehem.

"The family is also threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage, by relativism, by the culture of the ephemeral, by a lack of openness to life," Pope Francis said.

Family testimonies

Before the Pope spoke, he listened to messages from four families selected to speak about trials facing Filipino families.

"We pray that your wonderful visit to our beloved nation may inspire all Filipino families to become a home and a school of new evangelization, bringing Jesus to all the corners of the nation, 'from Manila to the farthest corners of the world,'" said lawyer King Rodrigo, speaking in behalf of his family for a welcome message to the Pope.

Afterwards, Rodrigo's centenarian mother Remedios hung a garland around the Pope's neck for the formal welcome.

The Dizon family from Krus Na Ligas, Quezon City, meanwhile, highlighted the challenges faced by the modern Filipino family.

"A Christian family is not a perfect family. We are indeed a big family with 11 siblings, 40 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. There are times of misunderstandings, frustrations, differences in principles. But all our experiences in the past brought us here now as a Christian family, living in mercy and compassion. Our family strongly believe that we will surpass life’s challenges as long as we are together and with the help of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph," said the family representative.

Ma. Ediza Pumarada, meanwhile, spoke on the challenges faced by a family with overseas Filipino workers.

"My Catholic background taught me the importance of prayer in one’s life. We prayed hard from the time when my husband was still discerning whether or not to work abroad. And when the decision was finally made, we again entrusted it to the Lord and asked him to strengthen our family. Prayer was also our weapon to overcome misunderstandings in our family," she said.

Renato G. Cruz, a person with disability, delivered his message in sign language.

"My wife and I are deaf, but my children are hearing. It is not easy to be deaf," he opened, before detailing how their faith has helped their families through their trials.

"I always encourage deaf parents like me, to join retreats and recollection in the church. I always remind them to have an open mind. And make sure that they become role models for others.

"My whole family is very grateful to the Lord for leading us to overcome all trials and challenges. May all families be filled with mercy and compassion, always strong and united. Thank you very much." — JST/NB, GMA News

Tags: popefrancis, papalvisit2015