Christian formation and international meetings are the focus of the plenary session of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. “International meetings involve a large number of participants and require careful preparation, listening and collaborating with local communities, people and institutions, many of whom are rich with a long and important experience of evangelization,” the Pope noted when he met the participants of the plenary session on February 6.
Inese Steinert – Vatican City
However, the address of the Holy Father was more devoted to the topic of Christian formation. Referring to the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians, which says: “My little children, I will give birth to you again until Christ is formed in you” (4,19), Leo XIV pointed out that Christian formation takes place under the sign of “birth”, it is a dynamic to “give life”, to “cause to be born”. Despite the pain, this dynamic leads the disciple to a vital union with the very person of the Savior who lives and works in man and is able to transform the “life of the flesh” into the “life in Christ who dwells in us.”
The Pope noted that the person of the formator as an “educator” in the Church sometimes dominates the person of the “father” who is able to give faith. However, the mission of the formators is much higher, so we should not stick to the observance of doctrine, practice, ethics, but be generous and lovingly share what we live on, being ready to suffer with others just as parents suffer, who sacrifice for the sake of their children.
“This brings us to the second aspect of formation, namely the dimension of communion,” said the Holy Father. He emphasized that it is not a priest, or a catechist, or a charismatic leader alone who leads to faith, but the Church – united, alive, consisting of families, young people, consecrated persons, celibates, of all those who, especially the new generations, convey joy and fullness of meaning.
After the resurrection, Jesus entrusts the apostles with a missionary mission, telling them to teach all nations, baptize them, and make them observe His commandments. The Pope emphasized that this mandate contains other essential elements of the formator’s mission. First of all, it is the need to promote a regular, engaging and personal way of life rooted in Baptism and the sacraments, because without them there is no Christian life. What follows is help in embarking on a journey of faith and a new way of life that encompasses all of existence, private and public, such as work, relationships and daily behavior.
In addition, there is a need in Christian communities to take care of aspects of formation aimed at respect for life in all its phases, prevention of violations against minors and the weakest members of society, as well as spiritual accompaniment and support for victims.
Concluding his address to the participants of the plenary session of the Dicastery of Laity, Family and Life, Leo XIV said that the art of formation is not easy. Both on a personal and community level, it requires patience, listening, accompaniment and assurance of results. Challenges can sometimes seem superior to the forces and resources of the formators, but the Pope encouraged not to be afraid, but to start small, following the logic of a “mustard grain” in faith (cf. Mt 13, 31-32), trusting in the Lord, who will give strength at the right moment, in people and in the necessary graces. Finally, the Holy Father invited us to look to the faith of the Virgin Mary, to imitate it and to always rely on her protection.
date:2026-02-07 17:43:00