Speaking of the family as teacher of values makes reference to a series of actions that imply a whole process oriented to obtain a definition, a configuration, a firmness and perfection in each person that conform the family, procedures that allow us to reach a greater strength and a better “finish”.

It is universally accepted that the human being is molded, especially in the first years of his life, in the bosom of his own family; it is here, where the family plays an irreplaceable role in the formation of the person’s human and Christian personality. The historical moment that we are living shows us how the family has given up its identity and mission to educate the person, with the consequences that we know: relativism, subjectivism, sensualism and lack of values in society.

The natural scene for values is daily life. It is very important to understand this genuine scene of family values. Therefore, family life is the profound and stable authentic opportunity, the vast horizon of the most excellent human adventure which is, finally, no other than true, good and beautiful love, as the highest value. Consequently, the family has an important and significant mission: to be teacher of values.

Values define the “quality'” of a person, not only from a moral, but also from an ontological point of view. Values identify with virtues. Virtue implies a force, vigor and a merit to act with integrity and rectitude in terms of achievement of life. Therefore, values have a richness and hierarchy that enrich the human being in different dimensions:

• Humanly: The human nature has certain aims, and when they are accomplished, man reaches perfection or his prime. Human nature consists of two elements: one natural and one rational. Values make reference to the totality of the person. Here psychological and sociological aspects fit in. The psychological approach studies, for example, the person’s character (his faculties, his talents, his motivations, etc.) and determines not only how human acts “are”, but how “they must be”. That is to say, a person’s “have to be” is formed. The reflection on values is also “science of social behavior”. In fact, many and diverse social conducts are being formed in the family. Here, the relations of one “I” with another “I” focus on each another, taking into account their dignity as persons.

• Spiritually: The human being is a biological and spiritual totality (intelligent and free) that tends to his final aim by means of the harmonic development of his faculties. Therefore, it covers other spheres: The person’s duties relative to his spirit (formation or culture of intelligence and will) and the person’s duties relative to his Creator (interior worship or religion).

This subject is related to and continues the theme of the Fifth World Encounter of Families in Valencia, on the education of faith in the Family. If we take into account that today’s Christian has to be a true disciple and missionary in the Church as well as in the world, our topic is directly related to the theme of the Fifth General Conference of the Latin American Episcopal Council in Aparecida: the family also understood as teacher of Disciples and Missionaries.