Video of the Holy Father with the prayer intention for the month of February disseminated through the Pope’s World Prayer Network

We publish below the text of the Pope’s Video with the prayer intention for the month of February disseminated through the Pope’s World Prayer Network on the theme For parishes: “Let us pray that parishes, putting communion at the centre, may be ever more communities of faith, fraternity and welcoming towards those most in need”.

Sometimes I think that we should put a sign on the door of parishes that says, “Free admission.”

Parishes should be close-knit communities, without bureaucracy, people-centered —a place where the gift of the sacraments can be found.

They have to become once again schools of service and generosity, with their doors always open to those who are excluded. And to those included. To all. Parishes are not a club for the few, which give a certain kind of social belonging.

Please, let us be daring.

Let us all rethink the style of our parochial communities.

Let us pray that parishes, placing communion –communion of people, ecclesial communion– at the center, may increasingly become communities of faith, of fraternity and of welcoming the most in need.