Matrimony participates in the existence and mission of the Church. It actualizes itself as a Church and on that basis it is entitled to the title „home Church”. Christian spouses implanted in Christ through the power of baptism and included as „unity of the two” in betrothed bond of Christ with the Church through the power of the sacrament of matrimony – are gifted and obliged to perform functions specific for the whole Church. Thanks to their specific qualities they fulfill, in a unique way, prophetic, priestly and royal function of Christ. Among these qualities one can distinguish: the ability to adopt, listen and announce of the word of God, sanctifiction oneself through the sacrament of matrimony, sacrament of the Eucharist and the Penance and prayer, as well as through coming with the mutual help in the attitude of service. It allows us to perceive essential and fundamental subject of priestly activities in the matriomony.
The renewal of liturgy started by the Second Vatican Council was first of all concerned with its essence. The definition of liturgy as practicing Christ’s priesthood in order to sanctify God’s people and practicing the cult of the Father bore far-reaching consequences for the life of believers. Emphasizing the sanctifying aim of liturgy by the Council, as well as connecting it with universal priesthood, showed the lay faithful as active participants in liturgy and a transformation of their lives as its aim. Besides the sacramental liturgy this also concerns sacramen¬tals, and among them—the blessings chanted in the family—the home Church. The renewed structure of Book of Blessings shows them as the Church’s liturgical activity, in which not only is the life of the whole ecclesial community reflected, but also of the family community. The subject-matter of blessings is often connected with marital and family life. This concerns events that occur in the family, the time of the liturgical year, but also the places in the family life. Also, the problem of the dispensers of blessings chanted in the family is an important one; among the dispensers there is also room for lay ones. The practice of blessings in the family does not deprive the liturgy practiced in the parish or diocesan community its significance. It contributes to a broad perception of the liturgy of the Church, and also to a still greater consciousness of priesthood issuing from the Holy Baptism.
PL
Odnowa liturgii przez Sobór Watykański II dotyczyła przede wszystkim jej istoty. Określenie liturgii jako spełniania kapłaństwa Chrystusa w celu uświęcenia ludu Bożego i składania kultu Ojcu niosło daleko idące konsekwencje dla życia wierzących. Wyakcentowanie przez Sobór uświecającego celu liturgii, jak i powiązanie jej z kapłaństwem powszechnym ukazało wiernych świeckich jako aktywnych uczestników liturgii, a przemianę ich życia jako jej cel. Obok liturgii sakramentalnej dotyczy to także sakramentaliów, a w nich błogosławieństw sprawowanych w rodzinie – Kościele domowym. Odnowiona struktura Księgi błogosławieństw ukazuje je jako czynność liturgiczną Kościoła, w której odbija się nie tylko życie całej wspólnoty eklezjalnej, ale także wspólnoty rodzinnej. Tematyka błogosławieństw często łączy się z życiem małżeńskim i rodzinnym. Dotyczy to przeżywanych w rodzinie wydarzeń, czasu roku liturgicznego, ale także miejsc życia rodziny. Ważnym zagadnieniem jest także problem szafarzy błogosławieństw sprawowanych w rodzinie, wśród których jest także miejsce dla szafarzy świeckich. Praktyka błogosławieństw w rodzinie nie odbiera znaczenia liturgii sprawowanej we wspólnocie para¬fialnej czy diecezjalnej. Przyczynia się ona do szerokiego postrzegania liturgii Kościoła, a także do większej jeszcze świadomości kapłaństwa wypływającego z chrztu świętego.
The very family is a home church, but it should belong to a larger group in case it needs multi-dimensional aid. The present article presents the founding ideas, unique character and the current condition of family associations in Poland. Such groups are initiated by the families themselves or members of the hierarchy. Yet, they are always a gift of the Holy Spirit, who thus grants them support and the charisma of renewal. Family experts stress that under the influence of family associations positive changes on many planes are taking place, both in the family and in its relationship with the world. It is hard to estimate the number of family associations in Poland as some of them are of informal character, while others are not focused on the family but they have many family elements in their formation programme. Roughly speaking, there are about 130 associations of families or pro-family groups in Poland. The establishment and care of family associations is a significant task of family pastoral care in Poland.
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