Online event to mark 5 years of "Amoris laetitia" and start of Family Year

By Robin Gomes

The 19 March virtual event entitled, “Our Daily Love”, is being organized by the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, the Diocese of Rome and the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute, all based in Rome.

The same day, Pope Francis will launch the “Amoris Laetitia Family Year”, which will conclude on June 26, 2022, on the occasion of the 10th World Meeting of Families in Rome with the Holy Father.

Amoris Laetitia, Latin for “The Joy of Love”, is the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis, which was the result of the two-part Synod on the Family held in the Vatican in October 2014 and 2015.  Dated 19 March 2016 and released on 8 April 2016, it addresses issues regarding the pastoral care of families.  

In a joint statement on Wednesday, the three organizers explained that the online event is “the beginning of a path rather than a celebration” as the apostolic exhortation contains a wealth that is yet to be discovered.  They explained that the Pope wants to “provoke” the entire Church into action, and in this regard, the three entities intend to offer a contribution that is capable of blending pastoral care and theology in view of the World Meeting of Families.

The online event, divided into two parts, will be streamed live for all on the YouTube channel of John Paul II Institute as well as on the platforms of the other promoters.

The first part will focus on the 5th anniversary of Amoris laetitia, with inputs from persons such as Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the Pope’s vicar for the Diocese of Rome, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute and a married couple that participated in the Synod on the Family.  The first part will culminate in a message by Pope Francis.  The second part will be more academic and theological in nature.

The year dedicated to the family on the 5th anniversary of Amoris laetitia was called by Pope Francis on December 27, 2020, to draw the fruits of the post-synodal apostolic exhortation and make the Church closer to families around the world, who are being severely tried by the pandemic.

The reflections of the 10th World Meeting of the Family that will conclude the “Amoris Laetitia Family Year” will be made available to ecclesial communities and families, to accompany them on their journey, the organizers said.