In a statement this morning, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech, Archbishop Paul Cremona, and Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna said, in a few weeks’ time, Bishops from all over the world will be meeting in Rome for the Extraordinary Synod on ‘Pastoral challenges for the family in the context of evangelisation,’ The Synod will be held between the 5th and 19th of October.

The Bishops said “this will be a defining moment for the whole Church and for this reason, every believer is called to participate and share in this event. Above all, this meeting of the Bishops will be a profound moment of prayer.”

In preparation for this Synod, Pope Francis is encouraging all Christians from around the world to unite together with one heart in a moment of prayer next Sunday, the 28th of September 2014. “We should all pray to the Holy Spirit to enlighten the hearts of the shepherds of the Church, that the Gospel of the Family may once again be heeded as the ‘good news’ for all mankind, at a time when the family is undergoing several difficulties.”

The Bishops said, “in the light of this, we encourage all Maltese and Gozitan Christians to unite, as we pray fervently to God, so that as a Church, we may respond to the pastoral challenges which the family is facing in contemporary society.

“On the 28th of September and also on the days leading up to the Synod, we urge all parish communities and families to recite the Prayer to the Holy Family which the Pope has written (attached), as well as to offer special prayers for the meeting. Considering that October is the month of the Rosary, we encourage Christians, particularly families, to pray the rosary together.”

“We pray that, through the intercession of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, this Synod will serve as a moment of grace and renewal for the Church and for families around the world.”

+ MARIO GRECH Bishop of Gozo President of the Maltese Episcopal Conference

+ PAUL CREMONA O.P Archbishop of Malta

+ CHARLES J. SCICLUNA Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General of Malta .

Prayers to The Holy Family for the Synod

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendour of true love, to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division: may all who have been hurt or scandalised find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth, may the approaching Synod of Bishops make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer. Amen.”

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