Called to the Joy of Love: A National Pastoral Framework for Marriage and Family Life Ministry

The US Catholic bishops are pleased to present Called to the Joy of Love: A National Pastoral Framework for Marriage and Family Life Ministry. Inspired by Pope Francis’s call in Amoris Laetitia to address the concrete realities of family life and building on the theological principles in Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan, this framework considers how parish and diocesan ministries can help strengthen marriage and family life in their communities.

The framework shares pastoral strategies to help educate, encourage, and engage the Christian community in four key areas: 1) Fostering prayer and relationship with Christ; 2) Encouraging human, spiritual, intellectual, and missionary formation; 3) Developing pastoral strategies to accompany couples and families; and 4) Advancing the truths of the human person through advocacy.

Called to the Joy of Love will be used primarily by parish and diocesan marriage and family life directors. Themes in the framework may also be of interest to other parish leaders who support family life, such as catechists and youth and young adult ministry leaders. The framework will be a reliable resource for parish and diocesan planning, as the Church fulfills its call to respond to the needs of families in the community.

Also available in Spanish.

Previously sold by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).