a summary of ch 6 of Pope Francis' exhortation on the family, givingadvice for some pastoral situations

1. Amoris Laetitia
Chapter 6 -
Some pastoral perspectives
 Proclaiming the Gospel of the family
today (200-204)
 Preparing engaged couples
for marriage (205-211)
 The preparation of the celebration
(212-216)
 Accompanying the first years of
married life (217-222)
 Some resources 223-230)
 Casting light on crises, worries and
difficulties (231)
 The challenge of crises (232-238)
 Old wounds 239-240)
 Accompaniment after breakdown and
divorce (241-246)
 Certain complex situations (247-252)
When death makes us feel its sting
(253-258)

2. “it is important that people experience the Gospel of the family as a joy
That ‘fills hearts and lives’, because in Christ we have been ‘set free
from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness” AL 200

3. …not merely in presenting a set of rules, but in proposing values
that are clearly needed today, even in the most secularized of countries - - - -
Consequently, dialogue and cooperation need to be fostered with
societal structures and encouragement given to lay people who are involved,
as Christians, in the cultural and socio-political fields AL 201

4. “The main contribution to the pastoral care of families is offered by the parish,
which is the family of families, where small communities, ecclesial movements
and associations live in harmony”. AL 202

5. Seminarians should receive a more
extensive interdisciplinary, and not
merely doctrinal, formation in the
areas of engagement and marriage.
Their training does not always allow them
to explore their own psychological and
affective background and experiences

6. It is helpful for
seminarians to combine
time in the seminary
with time spent
in parishes.
There they can have
greater contact with
the concrete realities
of family life
“The presence of lay
people, families and
especially the presence
of women in priestly
formation, promotes an
appreciation of the
diversity and
complementarity of
the different vocations
in the Church”.
AL 203

7. There is a need for training lay leaders who can assist in the pastoral care of families,
with the help of teachers and counsellors, family and community physicians, social
workers, juvenile and family advocates, and drawing upon the contributions
of psychology, sociology, marital therapy and counselling. AL 204

8. Involve the entire community more extensively by stressing the witness
of families themselves and by grounding marriage preparation in
the process of Christian initiation by bringing out the connection
between marriage, baptism and the other sacraments.” AL 206

9. Couples are “a valuable resource because, as they sincerely
commit themselves to grow in love and self-giving,
they can help renew the fabric of the whole ecclesial body.
Their special form of friendship can prove contagious
and foster the growth of friendship and fraternity in
the Christian community of which they are a part” AL 207

10. Those best prepared for marriage are probably those who learned
what Christian marriage is from their own parents, who chose
each other unconditionally and daily renew this decision. AL 208

11. In their initial enchantment
with one another,
couples can attempt to conceal
or relativize certain things
and to avoid disagreements;
- only later do problems surface

12. Such discussions would
help them to see if
they in fact have little
in common and to realize
that mutual attraction
alone will not suffice to
keep them together.
Nothing is more
volatile, precarious
and unpredictable
than desire.
The decision to marry
should never be
encouraged unless the
couple has discerned
deeper reasons that will
ensure a genuine and
stable commitment.
AL 209

13. If one partner clearly recognizes the other’s weak points,
he or she needs to have a realistic trust in the possibility
of helping to develop the good points that counterbalance
them, and in this way to foster their human growth. AL 210

14. Many couples marry without really knowing one another.
They have enjoyed each other’s company and done things together,
but without facing the challenge of revealing them-selves
and coming to know who the other person truly is. AL 210

15. Preparation should ensure that the couple
do not view the wedding ceremony as the
end of the road, but instead embark upon
marriage as a life-long calling based on a
firm and realistic decision to face all trials
and difficult moments together. AL 211

16. It is also important to remind them of the availability of the sacrament
of Reconciliation, which allows them to bring their sins and past mistakes,
and their relationship itself, before God, and to receive in turn
his merciful forgiveness and healing strength. AL 211

17. Have the courage to be different. Don’t let yourselves get swallowed up by a society
of consumption and empty appearances. What is important is the love you share,
strengthened and sanctified by grace. You are capable of opting for a more modest
and simple celebration in which love takes precedence over everything else”. AL 212

18. In the case of two
baptized persons,
the commitment
expressed by
the words of
consent and the
bodily union
that consummates
the marriage can
only be seen
as signs of
the covenantal
love and union
between the
incarnate
Son of God
and his Church.

19. In the baptized,
words and signs
become an eloquent
language of faith.
The body, created with
a God-given meaning,
“becomes the language
of the ministers of the
sacrament, aware that
in the conjugal pact
there is expressed and
realized the mystery
that has its origin
in God himself ”.
AL 213

20. At times, the couple does not grasp the theological and spiritual
import of the words of consent, which illuminate the meaning
of all the signs that follow. It needs to be stressed that these
words cannot be reduced to the present; they involve
a totality that includes the future: “until death do us part”

21. The content of the words of consent makes it clear that “freedom and fidelity
are not opposed to one another; rather, they are mutually supportive,
both in inter-personal and social relationships.

22. let us consider
the damage caused,
in our culture of global
communication,
by the escalation of
un-kept promises AL 214

23. Nor would it be good for them to arrive at the wedding
without ever having prayed together, one for the other,
to seek God’s help in remaining faithful and generous,
to ask the Lord together what he wants of them, and to
consecrate their love before an image of the Virgin Mary. AL 216

24. “The marriage liturgy
is a unique event,
which is both a family
and a community
celebration.
The first signs of Jesus
were performed at the
wedding feast of Cana.
The good wine, resulting
from the Lord’s miracle
that brought joy to the
beginning of a new
family, is the new wine
of Christ’s covenant with
the men and women
of every age… AL 216

25. It is important that marriage be seen
as a matter of love, that only those
who freely choose and love one
another may marry. AL 217

26. Another great challenge
of marriage preparation
is to help couples
realize that marriage
is not something that
happens once for all.
Their union is real and
irrevocable, confirmed
and consecrated by the
sacrament of matrimony.
Yet in joining their lives,
the spouses assume an
active and creative role
in a lifelong project.
AL 218

27. A persistently critical attitude towards one’s partner is a sign that marriage
was not entered into as a project to be worked on together, with patience,
understanding, tolerance and generosity. Slowly but surely, love will then
give way to constant questioning and criticism, dwelling on each other’s
good and bad points, issuing ultimatums and engaging in competition
and self-justification. The couple then prove incapable of helping
one another to build a mature union. AL 218

28. Hope also bids
us live fully in
the present,
giving our all
to the life of
the family, for
the best way to
prepare a solid
future is to live
well in the
present.
AL 219

29. This process occurs in various stages
that call for generosity and sacrifice.
1. The first powerful feelings of
attraction
2. give way to the realization that the
other is now a part of my life.
3. The pleasure of belonging to one
another leads to seeing life as a
common project,
4. putting the other’s happiness
ahead of my own,
5. and realizing with joy that this
marriage enriches society.
AL 220

30. As love matures, it also learns to “negotiate”. Far from anything
selfish or calculating, such negotiation is an exercise of mutual
love, an interplay of give and take, for the good of the family. AL 220

31. Come to the sober realization that married life is a process of growth, in
which each spouse is God’s means of helping the other to mature. AL 221

32. Each marriage is a kind of “salvation history”, which from fragile beginnings –
thanks to God’s gift and a creative and generous response on our part –
grows over time into something precious and enduring. AL 221

33. “In accord with the personal and fully human character of conjugal love, family
planning fittingly takes place as the result a consensual dialogue between the
spouses, respect for times and consideration of the dignity of the partner AL 222

34. Moreover, “the use of methods based on the ‘laws of nature and the incidence
of fertility’ (Humanae Vitae, 11) are to be promoted, since ‘these methods respect
the bodies of the spouses, encourage tenderness between them and favour the
education of an authentic freedom’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2370). AL 222

35. Some resources - Liturgies, devotional practices and the Eucharist
celebrated for families, especially on the wedding anniversary, were mentioned
as vital factors in fostering evangelization through the family” AL 223

36. Time is needed to
talk things over,
to embrace leisurely,
to share plans,
to listen to one other and
gaze in each other’s eyes,
to appreciate one another
and to build a stronger
relationship” AL 224

37. planning free time together, moments of
recreation with the children, different ways
of celebrating important events, shared
opportunities for spiritual growth. AL 225

38. Develop a routine that gives a
healthy sense of closeness and stability
through shared daily rituals. AL 226

39. Yet it also helps to
break the routine
with a party, and
to enjoy family
celebrations of
anniversaries and
special events.
We need these
moments of
cherishing God’s
gifts and renewing
our zest for life.
AL 226

40. …encouraging frequent confession, spiritual direction and occasional
retreats. It also means encouraging family prayer during the week,
since “the family that prays together stays together”. AL 227

41. The word of God is not only good news in a person’s private life

42. showing love for a spouse who is not a believer,
bestowing happiness, soothing hurts and sharing life
together represents a true path of sanctification. AL 228

43. Parishes, movements, schools and other Church
institutions can help in a variety of ways to
support families and help them grow. AL 229

44. Occasions like the Baptism and First Holy Communion of their children,
or the funerals or weddings of their relatives or friends. AL 230

45. Another way of growing closer is by blessing
homes or by bringing a pilgrim image of our
Lady to houses in the neighbourhood. AL 230

46. Ask older married couples to help younger couples
in the neighbourhood by visiting them and
offering guidance in the early years of marriage. AL 230

47. when marriage is seen as a challenge that involves
overcoming obstacles, each crisis becomes an opportunity
to let the wine of their relationship age and improve. AL 232

48. Crises need to be faced together. At these times, it becomes all the more
important to create opportunities for speaking heart to heart. AL 234

49. 1. Newly married couples need
to learn how to accept their
differences and to disengage
from their parents.
2. The arrival of a child presents
new emotional challenges.
3. Raising small children
necessitates a change of
lifestyle,
4. while the onset of adolescence
causes strain, frustration and
even tension between parents.
5. An “empty nest” obliges a
couple to redefine their
relationship,
6. while the need to care for
aging parents involves
making difficult decisions in
their regard. AL 235

50. personal crises that affect the life of couples, often involving finances,
problems in the workplace, emotional, social and spiritual difficulties.
Unexpected situations present themselves, disrupting family life
and requiring a process of forgiveness and reconciliation. AL 236

51. situations will arise
involving human weakness
and these can prove
emotionally overwhelming.
-One spouse may not feel
fully appreciated,
or may be attracted
to another person.
Jealousy and tensions
may emerge, or new
interests that consume the
other’s time and attention.
-Physical changes naturally
occur in everyone.
-These, and so many other
things, rather than
threatening love, are so
many occasions for reviving
and renewing it.
AL 237

52. When crises come, they are unafraid to get to the root of it,
to re-negotiate basic terms, to achieve a new equilibrium
and to move forward together. With this kind of constant openness
they are able to face any number of difficult situations.AL 238

53. Old wounds
Others love with an
adolescent love marked
by hostility, bitter
criticism and the need
to blame others;
caught up in
their own emotions
and fantasies,
such persons
expect others to
fill their emptiness
and to satisfy
their every desire.
AL 239

54. A poor relationship with one’s parents and siblings, if left
unhealed, can re-emerge and hurt a marriage. AL 240

55. Accompaniment after breakdown and divorce
At times separation even becomes morally necessary, precisely when it is a matter of removing the
more vulnerable spouse or young children from serious injury due to abuse and violence,
from humiliation and exploitation, and from disregard and indifference” AL 241

56. “special discernment is indispensable for the pastoral care of
those who are separated, divorced or abandoned”. AL 242

57. “divorced people who have not remarried,
and often bear witness to marital fidelity,
ought to be encouraged to find in the Eucharist
the nourishment they need to sustain them
in their present state of life.» AL 242

58. It is important that the divorced who have entered a new union
should be made to feel part of the Church.
“They are not excommunicated”
and they should not be treated as such,
since they remain part of the ecclesial community. AL 243

59. Information, counselling and mediation services associated with the family
apostolate should also be made available to individuals who are separated or
couples in crisis. These services could also include meeting with individuals
in view of the preliminary inquiry of a matrimonial process. AL 244

60. “Never ever, take your child hostage! You separated for
many problems and reasons. Life gave you this trial, but your
children should not have to bear the burden of this separation
or be used as hostages against the other spouse. AL 245

61. Do we feel
the immense
psychological burden
borne by children in
families where the
members mistreat
and hurt one another,
to the point of
breaking the bonds
of marital fidelity?
AL 246

62. In inter faith marriages, an effort should be made to establish cordial cooperation
between the Catholic and the non-Catholic ministers from the time that
preparations begin for the marriage and the wedding ceremony’ ” AL 247

63. In some countries where freedom of religion does not exist,
the Christian spouse is obliged to convert to another religion
in order to marry, and, therefore, cannot celebrate a canonical
marriage involving disparity of cult or baptize the children. AL 248

64. Such families should be given respectful pastoral guidance,
so that those who manifest a homosexual orientation
can receive the assistance they need to understand
and fully carry out God’s will in their lives. AL 250

65. there are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way
similar or even remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family”.
It is unacceptable “that local Churches should be subjected to pressure in this matter
and that international bodies should make financial aid to poor countries dependent on
the introduction of laws to establish ‘marriage’ between persons of the same sex”. AL 251

66. single parents
must receive
encouragement
and support from
other families
in the Christian
community,
and from the
parish’s pastoral
outreach.
AL 252

67. When death makes us feel its sting
we have to help the grieving person to realize that,
after the loss of a loved one, we still have a mission
to carry out, and that it does us no good to prolong
the suffering, as if it were a form of tribute. AL 255

68. “Although
the certainty of
death saddens us,
we are consoled
by the promise of
future immortality”
AL 256

69. “Our prayer for
them is capable
not only of
helping them,
but also of
making their
intercession for
us effective”.
AL 257

70. If we accept death, we can prepare ourselves for it.
The way is to grow in our love for those who walk at our side,
until that day when “death will be no more, mourning and crying
and pain will be no more” (Rev 21:4) . We will thus prepare ourselves
to meet once more our loved ones who have died. AL 258

71. LIST OF PRESENTATIONS IN ENGLISH
Revised 27-5-2020
Advent and Christmas – time of hope and peace
Amoris Laetitia – ch 1 – In the Light of the Word
Amoris Laetitia – ch 2 – The Experiences and Challenges of Families
Amoris Laetitia – ch 3 - Looking to Jesus, the Vocation of the Family
Amoris Laetitia – ch 4 - Love in Marriage
Amoris Laetitia – ch 5 – Love made Fruitfuol
Amoris Laetitia – ch 6 – Some Pastoral Perspectives
Amoris Laetitia – ch 7 – Towards a better education of children
Amoris Laetitia – ch 8 – Accompanying, discerning and integrating weaknwss
Amoris Laetitia – ch 9 – The Spirituality of Marriage and the Family
Beloved Amazon 1ª – A Social Dream
Beloved Amazon 2 - A Cultural Dream
Beloved Amazon 3 – An Ecological Dream
Beloved Amazon 4 - An Ecclesiastical Dream
Carnival
Christ is Alive
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 1 – Church and Family today
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 2 - God’s plan for the family
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 1 – family as a Community
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 2 – serving life and education
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 3 – mission of the family in society
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 4 - Family in the Church
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 4 Pastoral familiar
Football in Spain
Haurietis aquas – devotion to the Sacred Heart by Pius XII
Holidays and Holy Days
Holy Spirit
Holy Week – drawings for children
Holy Week – glmjpses of the last hours of JC
Inauguration of President Donald Trump
Juno explores Jupiter
Laudato si 1 – care for the common home
Laudato si 2 – Gospel of creation
Laudato si 3 – Human roots of the ecological crisis
Laudato si 4 – integral ecology
Laudato si 5 – lines of approach and action
Laudato si 6 – Education y Ecological Spirituality
Love and Marriage 1-
Love and Marriage 2 – growing up to sexual maturity
Love and Marriage 3 – psychological differences and complimentarity
Love and Marriage 4- causes of sexual attraction
Love and Marriage 5- freedom and intimacy
Love and Marriage 6 - human love
Love and Marriage 7 - destiny of human love
Love and Marriage 8- marriage between Christian believers
Love and Marriage 9 – sacrament of marriage
Lumen Fidei – ch 1,2,3,4
Medjugore Pilgrimage
Misericordiae Vultus in English
Mother Teresa of Calcuta – Saint
Pope Franciss in Thailand
Pope Francis in Japan
Pope Francis in Sweden
Pope Francis in America
Pope Francis in the WYD in Poland 2016
Pope Francis in the U.S.A. -1 ,2, 3
Querida Amazonia
Resurrection of Jesus Christ –according to the Gospels
Russian Revolution and Communismo 3 civil war 1918.1921
Russian Revolution and Communism 1
Russian Revolution and Communismo 2
Saint Joseph
Saint Patrick and Ireland
Sunday – day of the Lord
Thanksgiving – History and Customs
The Body, the cult – (Eucharist)
Valentine
Vocation – mconnor@legionaries.org
Way of the Cross – drawings for children
For commentaries – email – mflynn@legionaries.org
Fb – Martin M Flynn
Donations to - Congregación Legionarios de Cristo
IBAN: ES3700491749852910000635
Swift Code (BIC): BSCHESMMXXX
Dirección banco: Plaza de Parma, 8, Montequinto. CP 41700 Dos
Hermanas, Sevilla. España.

72. LISTA DE PRESENTACIONES EN ESPAÑOL
Revisado 27-5-2020
Abuelos
Adviento y Navidad, tiempo de esperanza
Amor y Matrimonio 1 - 9
Amoris Laetitia – ch 1 – A la luz de la Palabre
Amoris Laetitia – ch 2 – Realidad y Desafíos de las Familias
Amoris Laetitia – ch 3 La mirada puesta en Jesús: Vocación de la Familia
Amoris Laetitia – ch 4 - El Amor en el Matrimonio
Amoris Laetitia – ch 5 – Amor que se vuelve fecundo
Amoris Laetitia – ch 6 – Algunas Perspectivas Pastorales
Amoris Laetitia – ch 7 – Fortalecer la educacion de los hijos
Amoris Laetitia – ch 8 – Acompañar, discernir e integrar la fragilidad
Amoris Laetitia – ch 9 – Espiritualidad Matrimonial y Familiar
Carnaval
Cristo Vive
Domingo – día del Señor
El camino de la cruz de JC en dibujos para niños
El Cuerpo, el culto – (eucarisía)
Espíritu Santo
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 1 – iglesia y familia hoy
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 2 - el plan de Dios para la familia
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 1 – familia como comunidad
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 2 – servicio a la vida y educación
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 3 – misión de la familia en la sociedad
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 4 - participación de la familia en la iglesia
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 4 Pastoral familiar
Fátima – Historia de las Apariciones de la Virgen
Feria de Sevilla
Haurietis aquas – el culto al Sagrado Corazón
Hermandades y cofradías
Hispanidad
Laudato si 1 – cuidado del hogar común
Laudato si 2 – evangelio de creación
Laudato si 3 – La raíz de la crisis ecológica
Laudato si 4 – ecología integral
Laudato si 5 – líneas de acción
Laudato si 6 – Educación y Espiritualidad Ecológica
Lumen Fidei – cap 1,2,3,4
Madre Teresa de Calcuta – Santa
María y la Biblia
Medjugore peregrinación
Misericordiae Vultus en Español
Papa Francisco en Bulgaria
Papa Francisco en Rumania
Papa Francisco en Marruecos
Papa Francisco en México
Papa Francisco – mensaje para la Jornada Mundial Juventud 2016
Papa Francisco – visita a Chile
Papa Francisco – visita a Perú
Papa Francisco en Colombia 1 + 2
Papa Francisco en Cuba
Papa Francisco en Fátima
Papa Francisco en la JMJ 2016 – Polonia
Queridas Amazoznia 1 un sueños social
Queridas Amazoznia 2 un suepo cultural
Queridas Amazoznia 3 un seuños ecologico
Queridas Amazoznia 4 un sueño eclesial
Resurrección de Jesucristo – según los Evangelios
Revolución Rusa y Comunismo 1
Revolución Rusa y comunismo 2
Revolución Rusa y Comunismo 3
San José
Santiago Apóstol
Semana santa – Vistas de las últimas horas de JC
Vacaciones Cristianas
Valentín
Vocación – www.vocación.org
Para comentarios – email – mflynn@lcegionaries.org
fb – martin m. flynn
Donativos a - Congregación Legionarios de Cristo
IBAN: ES3700491749852910000635
Swift Code (BIC): BSCHESMMXXX
Dirección banco: Plaza de Parma, 8, Montequinto. CP 41700
Dos Hermanas, Sevilla. España.