Monday, July 10, 2006

Restoration begins in the family



"GOD WISHED TO RESTORE ALL THINGS in Jesus Christ and he decreed that Jesus should begin his work presenting to all families a perfect model in the Family of Nazareth. In the Holy Family, fathers, mothers and children can find divine lessons of patience, chastity, filial love and the example of hard work. In that situation Jesus lived, worked, and prayed for many years and so the work of restoration began in the family." -- Blessed James Alberione

This quote is found opening Chapter One of the Statute & Directory of the Holy Family Institute. It sets the tone for the discussion of the nature and purpose of the Institute that follows in the Statute.

Blessed James Alberione established 10 branches in his Pauline Family. The first and second branches to be founded are the most well-known in the United States: the Society of St. Paul and the Daughters of St. Paul. You can check out more about these religious communities here:
The Society of St. Paul
The Daughters of St. Paul

The final branch to be founded is the Holy Family Institute. The fact that the Church has recognized a new secular institute for the married and widowed speaks volumes about the importance of family life today.

Here is the link to the official website of the Holy Family Institute in the United States.

It is my desire in to share with you my experiences and reflections as a consecrated married man in the Holy Family Institute.

Saturday, July 08, 2006

About the Holy Family Institute

Reflections on consecrated married life in The Holy Family Institute.

The HFI is part of the Pauline Family founded by Blessed James Alberione. The Society of St. Paul and the Daughters of St. Paul are two of the most well-known branches of the Pauline Family.

The Holy Family Institute nourishes a marriage-and-family spirituality in the Pauline tradition. After a period of formation, HFI members make Church-regulated public vows (the Evangelical Counsels) according to their state in life.