Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão of Goa and Daman called on Catholic families to embody humility, mercy, and compassion as he urged them to journey together as “pilgrims of hope.”
Delivering his homily at the Jubilee of Families in Verna on August 31, the prelate stressed that Christian households must be shaped by “deep faith, steadfast prayer, and a genuine culture of life.”
“By sharing, caring, and showing concern towards others, we become pilgrims of hope,” Cardinal Ferrão affirmed, adding that when families embrace humility and mercy, “they truly journey together as pilgrims of hope.”
The Archbishop, who also serves as president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), highlighted that “the love of Jesus is expressed in humility and service, in concern for others, in understanding, and in merciful compassion.”
In his concluding remarks, Cardinal Ferrão reminded the faithful that “the Church is on a synodal journey” and called on families to live as “truly synodal families—living in intimacy with Jesus and rooted in Gospel values.”
He underlined the importance of families “living and growing in faith as an essential foundation for Christian life.”
The celebration also marked the inauguration of the Golden Jubilee Year of the Diocesan Family Service Center.
Cardinal Ferrão commended the Center’s 50 years of service, gratefully remembered its former directors, and appealed for active collaboration in “establishing Parish Family Cells in every parish of the Archdiocese.”
The event, organized by the Diocesan Family Service Centre in collaboration with the Christian Family Movement (CFM) and Missionary Families of Christ (MFC), included a Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Cardinal, a Couple Conference, and the release of a Konkani book on the Rosary in families authored by Fr. Albano Fernandes.
Around 850 adults and 50 children participated in the celebration, which also featured testimonies from couples, praise and worship, and liturgical singing led by the Missionary Families of Christ.
