AMERICA/BOLIVIA -
La Paz (Agenzia Fides) – This past March 16 marked the initiation of the Week for Life and the Family with an exposition entitled "Maria Gravida" and a conference on "The Goodness of Marriage," which was given by the Apostolic Nuncio of Bolivia, Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro. The Week for Life and the Family is a pro-life initiative promoted by the Apostolate for the New Evangelization (ANE) whose objective is to promote respect for life from conception until natural death, as well as defend the value of the family.
"Maria Gravida" is an exposition with images that make reference to the Blessed Mother while she was pregnant with Baby Jesus. Elisa Lanza, member of ANE, explained that the exposition was inspired by the book by Fr. Jose Pontes, which contains several paintings that were reproduced by the ANE for the exposition. It will be open to the public every day, until March 25.
In his conference on "The Goodness of Marriage," Archbishop Diaquattro made reference to the importance of the relationship of love in marriage, which is like a treasure in a vessel of clay. The truth about love and the value of marriage, as the Vatican II document "Gaudium et Spes" explains, has two fundamental aspects: the intrinsic value of marriage, instituted by God and its value as a sacrament. He later mentioned the fact that "marriage is a fundamental treasure, a good that has been given to men and women so that they can fully realize the wealth of their personhood. Every man and woman who is married in Christ receives the sacrament and from that moment they are participants in the very same love of Christ."
The Apostolate of the New Evangelization (ANE) is promoting various activities this week, many of them taking place in the Basilica of the city of La Paz. Among these activities are film showings and another two conferences that will be presented by Fr. Thelian Corona, Director of the Salesian University and Guillermo Cortez, from the Life Center.
The Week for Life and the Family will conclude on March 25, Feast of the Annunciation, on which there is a large March for Life planned at the "Prado" in La Paz. The event will conclude with a Mass in the Church of Mary, Help of Christians, where there will be a special blessing for pregnant mothers and families. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 20/3/2009)
