The Domestic Church
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified
The Home as the First Church (1655-1657)
From the beginning, the Church was formed from believers "and their whole household." New believers wanted their family to be saved (Acts 18:8).
In our modern world (often hostile to religion), religious families are extremely important centers of living faith. They are "domestic churches" in which the parents are the first heralds of faith (Second Vatican Council). In the home, father, mother, and children exercise their baptismal priesthood in a privileged way. The home is the first school of the Christian life where all learn love, repeated forgiveness, and prayerful worship.
Single Persons (1658)
Single persons (often not married by force of circumstances) are close to Jesus' heart. Some, are without a human family. Christian families and the Church must open their doors to them. "The Church is a home and family for everyone" (Second Vatican Council).
