Read Pope Francis's homily about the family, the Church, and the world, preached at the prayer vigil on the eve of the synod on the family, 10/3/15

Please see "Pope, at Prayer Vigil, Hopes for Recovery of a Church that Can 'Unite Compassion with Justice"  thoughtful article from America Magazine, together with the full English text of the Pope's beautiful homily.  He prayed that the synod would:

• Show how the experience of marriage and family is rich and humanly fulfilling.
• Acknowledge, esteem, and proclaim all that is beautiful, good and holy about that experience.
• Embrace situations of vulnerability and hardship: war, illness, grief, wounded relationships and brokenness, which create distress, resentment and separation.
• Remind these families, and every family, that the Gospel is always “good news” which enables us to start over.
• Draw words of comfort and hope from the treasury of the church’s living tradition for families called in our own day to build the future of the ecclesial community and the city of man.

Next steps for the canonization of Louis and Zelie Martin reported by the Catholic News Service

The traveling reliquary of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin in Rome

On March 5 the Catholic News Service published details about the timeline for the events leading up to the canonization of Louis and Zelie Martin.  In "Pope plans to canonize St. Therese's parents during family synod," Cindy Wooden reports that Cardinal Amato's announcement that Louis and Zelie will be canonized in October was made on February 27 at a conference in Rome on the role of saints in the life of the Church.  She adds:

Following normal Vatican procedures, before their canonization the pope would have to recognize a miracle that occurred after prayers for the couple's intercession before God. The decree is expected to be signed before Easter.

The next step would be for the pope to consult with the church's cardinals and hold a consistory with cardinals present in Rome to announce the decision to proceed with the ceremony during the world Synod of Bishops on the family Oct. 4-25. A Vatican official said that meeting probably would take place in June.

Thanks to the Catholic News Service for this marvelous news.  We should be able to celebrate the feast of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin on July 12 with special joy this year.