Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Creating A Cheerful Home — Friendship with Your Children
Reflection:
“Listen to your children. Give them your time, even the time that you have reserved for yourselves. Show them your confidence; believe whatever they tell you, even if sometimes they try to deceive you. Don’t be afraid when they rebel, because, at their age, you yourselves were more or less rebellious. Go to meet them half-way and pray for them. If you act in this Christian manner, they will come to you with simplicity, instead of trying to satisfy their legitimate curiosity by taking it to some rough or vulgar friend. Your confidence, your friendly dealings with your children, will receive an answer in their sincerity in dealing with you. Then, even if there are quarrels and lack of understanding, they will never amount to much; and this is what peace in the family and a truly Christian life mean.
“At the same time, they [parents] should help their children to direct their efforts and to carry out their projects properly, teaching them to consider things and to reason them out. It is not a matter of imposing a line of conduct, but rather of showing the human and supernatural motives for it. In a word, parents have to respect their children’s freedom, because there is no real education without personal responsibility, and there is no responsibility without freedom.”
Lord Jesus Christ, children are Your gift to us. Grant that we might receive them gratefully as gifts, while especially striving to remain open to how You speak to us through them. With both their strengths and weaknesses, help us to embrace them with love and patience, accepting them as You also mercifully accept us. May we teach and correct them lovingly, always remembering that we have the responsibility of forming them in the freedom of the children of God. Amen.
For the Engaged
Lord Jesus Christ, help us to appreciate deeply our status as adopted children of God. Help us to call upon God as Our Father with great tenderness and confidence. By learning to treasure our own dignity as God’s children, we will also know better how to love and form the children that You wish to give us, in the same Spirit that has made us all Your brothers and sisters, and sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
OR
Novena Prayers for Marriage and Family – Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Most lovable Mother Mary, our Father in Heaven created you with delight.
You are His creature whom He made worthy to become the holy Mother of His Son.
You were born into a family of Saints. Pray for me today that my joy in your Son will increase and that my family may become more holy. Amen
(Mention your request here…)
Say 1: Our Father… 10: Hail Mary… 1: Glory Be…
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
