The Pontifical Council for the Family and the Archdiocese of Valencia have published the preparatory catechetical material for the World Meeting of Families 2006, which will be sent to all the parishes around the world.

The catechesis, composed of nine chapters that present the major themes of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, are a reflection on “the essence of the Christian family, the values of marriage and the transmitting of the faith,” officials of the Archdiocese of Valencia told the Avan news agency.

The material includes Pope Benedict XVI’s opening remarks at the June 2005 ecclesial Congress of the Diocese of Rome on family and the Christian community.

Each lesson in the catechesis includes an opening hymn, the Our Father, Scripture readings and the teaching of the Church, a closing prayer for the family and a hymn.

The volume also includes illustrations of renaissance art from the museum of St. Pius V in Valencia, reflecting the content of each chapter.

The catechesis will be available at bookstores and parishes and can be downloaded at www.emf2006.org.  The World Meeting of Families will take place July 1-9 and will include a Mass with Pope Benedict XVI.