An epidemic of loneliness: a Catholic response
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Catholic tradition and teaching firmly upholds the great importance and significance of the family as the “basic unit of society”. The family is where we learn to live and to love. Our Lord is with the family, for it is with the family that the whole of society is either strengthened or weakened.
During his visit to the United States in 2015, our Holy Father spoke on behalf of the family:
“It is worthwhile to live as a family, that a society grows strong, grows in goodness, grows in beauty and truly grows if I am build on the foundation of the family”.
The family is more important to the salvation of the world than we can imagine. Souls are created by God through the unit of the family. We must always keep this fact close to our hearts.
Catechizing newly married couples is of utmost importance. They must be taught the value of the lifelong relationship they have with each other and with Jesus. Troubles come to every relationship, but there is a great need for the proper catechesis of Catholic men and women. The best teacher is the good examples of faithful Catholics who have committed themselves to the Sacrament of Matrimony. Combined with good teaching through the Church, newly married or “pre-Cana” couples can discover the beauty and importance of taking their marriage vows seriously, as a life-ling commitment.
Our prayers for all separated and divorced families and those seeking annulments are of utmost importance. The salvation of all souls and the care of families is dependent upon lifting up those wounded by divorce in prayer.
“Love is shown by the little things, by attention to small daily signs which make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lives and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life, and life to grow in faith.”-Pope Francis
A family of divorce needs healing and our prayers. We can be the face of the Church to those feeling abandoned. Organizations exist to help the divorced and separated. One is the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation, through the Mercedarian Religious Order. Being the director for the foundation is an honor for me. Please join me in prayer for this new foundation. Find us at www.nonnatus.org.
Lord, thank you for the gift of all families. We pray for mothers, fathers and children. We prayer for the strength and love of the family in our society at this present time. Help us to minister and reach out to those affected by divorce through the love of your Son, His Mother and all the angels and saints. Thank you Lord for helping us to make a difference in our world by making a home for all families in the Church. Amen.
Dr. Anne DeSantis (ThD) is a dynamic Catholic author and speaker from the Greater Philadelphia area, holding a doctorate in theology from Pontifex University (2024). As the Executive Director of the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith (www.Nonnatus.org), she helps leads pastoral outreach to families in crisis. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Anne deeply treasures her Catholic faith and passionately shares it through catechesis, focusing on reaching out to the marginalized. She is also a member of the Catholic Speakers Organization. To learn more about her faith journey and mission, visit www.AnneDeSantis.com.
