Catholic teaching accepts the natural truth that the family is the basic human society. On top of its natural dignity, the family has been raised by Jesus Christ -- by virtue of the Sacrament of Matrimony -- to the nature of a "Domestic Church".
        The wider community of believers more commonly known as "the Church" is best understood in turn to be the "Family of God", a communion of persons with God as Father, we as children (through, with and in Jesus Christ His Son), and with a divinely appointed mother, Mary the mother of Jesus.
        The following are choice excerpts from official Church documents in support of these teachings. We have compiled in chronological order and have used official translations; emphases, subtitling, and special notes have been added, however, to facilitate your personal study and reflection.