The icon of the Holy Family

The World Meeting of Families has a new icon symbol. It is a large mosaic, created by the Jesuit artist Marko Rupnik, which was blessed by the Pope in St Peter’s Square on 11 April. The work was entrusted to Monsignor Erminio De Scalzi, president of Fondazione Milano Famiglie 2012, by the Holy Father. It depicts the Holy Family and the Holy Trinity represented by the Father’s hand supporting the fire of the Spirit that is Jesus. The earthly paradise is at the side of Mary and Joseph and heavenly Jerusalem with the Holy Family is at the centre of the story of salvation. “Heaven meets earth in the Holy Family of Nazareth and the divine Trinity finds the most perfect human image,” explained Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, “The Church feels called on to become family more and more, to demonstrate Christ’s presence in the world through reciprocal love. Families are asked to be united and open, to prepare children for their future and their mission, without holding them back with possessive love. All earthly relationships and activities are urged to follow the logic of love to find new harmony and beauty, a reflection and revelation of the Trinity.” Rupnik’s mosaic (Rupnik was involved in the Redemptoris Mater chapel in the Vatican on the indication of the Blessed John-Paul II) was taken to Milan by Monsignor De Scalzi to be exhibited in the basilica of St Ambrose in the chapel of the Madonna del Latte. Subsequently, the work will be undertaken on tour in the seven pastoral areas of the diocese, staying in each place for a week. The icon, weighing 60 kg, will then be displayed at Fiera MilanoCity at the Pastoral Theological Congress that will officially open the VII World Meeting of Families on 30 May. The Holy Family will then be taken to Bresso onto the stage for the ‘Celebration of Testimonies’ and on the altar of the Holy Mass to be celebrated by Benedict XVI before being passed to the diocese that will host the next Meeting in 2015.