"Christians, redeeming the present time and distinguishing eternal realities from their changing expressions, should actively promote the values of marriage and the family, both by the examples of their own lives and by cooperation with other men of good will. Thus when difficulties arise, Christians will provide, on behalf of family life, those necessities and helps which are suitably modern. To this end, the Christian instincts of the faithful, the upright moral consciences of men, and the wisdom and experience of persons versed in the sacred sciences will have much to contribute" (GS 52).
 
Reconnect the deep ties with all people who populate the world and strive for the good. This was the clear call addressed to the Church and to the families in the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, elaborated by the Second Vatican Council and promulgated by Pope Paul VI on December 8th, fifty years ago. Now, to make this anniversary more perceptible, today, we propose an excerpt of the document, which is entirely devoted to analyzing the essence of marriage and the family—at all times the joy and hope of humanity—in relation to modern society.
 
 

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