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A message to mark Diwali and the beginning of the year. Although “ today the very notion of family is being undermined by a climate that relativizes its essential significance and value", as well as by wars, poverty and migration, "there are strong signs of renewed hope due to the witness of those who hold fervently to the enduring importance of marriage and family life".
To support marriage and family life, driving families to be "schools of hope", to help guide children "towards a better future, and in pursuit of the good, even in the face of adversity”. This is an area where Christians and Hindus have a common vision and can work with all people of good will. This is the focus of a message that the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue sent to Hindus on the occasion of the festival of Diwali and which is called Christians and Hindus: Promoting hope among the families. The festival is celebrated by all Hindus and is known as Deepavali or "row of oil lamps". Symbolically based on ancient mythology, it represents the victory of truth over untruth, light over darkness, of life over death, good over evil. The real celebration lasts three days marking the beginning of a new year, family reconciliation, especially between brothers and sisters, and adoration of god. This year the festival will be celebrated by many Hindus on October 30.
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