 VII. WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES "THE FAMILY: WORK AND CELEBRATION" 30 May - 3 June 2012, Milan – Italy After the successful world meeting held in Mexico City in January 2009, Pope Benedict XVI closed the meeting with the words: “I am happy to announce that the Seventh World Meeting of Families will be held, God willing, in Italy, in the city of Milan, in 2012”. So now, the VII. WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES is organized in Milan from the 30th May to the 3th June 2012. The first meeting was held in Rome in 1994 with the contribution of Pope John Paul II, who promoted the organization of the meeting every three years. THE THEMES OF THE MEETING The family, work and celebration represent three aspects of life, starting with family and opening it up to the world. Work and celebration are ways in which the family inhabits social “space” and experiences human “time”. The theme looks at the couple formed by a man and a woman and this couple’s lifestyles: relationships (the family), the world (work) and human elements of time (celebration). The Meeting is intended to reflect on the family as human heritage, suggesting the idea that the family is a universal human heritage and at the same time contributing to the human element of life everywhere in the world. THREE REASONS TO PARTICIPATE 1. To get together and discuss the experience and testimony of families from five continents, enjoy the welcome of the Church in Milan and Lombardy, and experience the city’s wealth of culture. 2. To study and work together, focusing on the theme of the Meeting during the International Theological and Pastoral Congress. 3. To confirm your faith and celebrate with the Holy Father and thousands of families from all over the world. PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME  To have more information please visit the website: http://www.family2012.com/index.php Please find attached the February Newsletter. |