The special devotion which proposes the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the model of virtue of all Christian households began in the XVIIth century. It started almost simultaneously in Canada and France. — The Association of the Holy Family being founded in Montreal in 1663, and the Daughters of the Holy Family in Paris in 1674. Numerous other congregations and associations under the Patronage of the Holy Family have been established, since that time, and they are spread over the world. The Archconfraternity was established by Pius IX in 1847. In 1893 Leo XIII approved a feast for Canada, and Pope Benedict XV extended the Feast of the Holy Family to the whole Church and ordered its celebration to be kept on the Sunday after the Epiphany.
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
The Feast of the Holy Family
O Lord Jesus Christ, who by thy wondrous holiness didst adorn a human home, and by thy subjection to Mary and Joseph didst consecrate the order of earthly families ; grant that we being enlightened by the example of their life with thee in thy Holy Family, and assisted by their prayers ; may at last be joined with them in thine eternal fellowship. Who livest and reignest with the Father. Amen.
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Mother Teresa’s Prayer for Families
Heavenly Father, you have given us the model of life in the Holy Family of Nazareth. Help us, O Loving Father,to make our family another Nazareth where love, peace and joy reign.
May it be deeply contemplative, intensely Eucharis
tic, revived with joy. Help us to stay together in joy and sorrow in family prayer.
Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families, especially in their distressing disguise.
May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus make our hearts humble like his and help us to carry out our family duties in a holy way.
May we love one another as God loves each one of us, more and more each day, and forgive each other’s faults as you forgive our sins.
Help us, O Loving Father, to take whatever you give and give whatever you take with a big smile.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Holy Guardian Angels, be always with us, guide and protect us.
Amen.
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To all fathers of families, Joseph is verily the best model of paternal vigilance and care. In the most holy Virgin Mother of God, mothers may find an excellent example of love, modesty, resignation of spirit, and the perfecting of faith. And in Jesus, who was subject to his parents, the children of the family have a divine pattern of obedience which they can admire, reverence, and imitate. Those who are of noble birth may learn, from this Family of royal blood, how to live simply in times of prosperity, and how to retain their dignity in times of distress. The rich may learn that moral worth is to be more highly esteemed than wealth. Artisans, and all such as are bitterly grieved by the narrow and slender means of their families, if they would but consider the sublime holiness of the members of this domestic fellowship, cannot fail to find some cause for rejoicing in their lot, rather than for being merely dissatisfied with it. In common with the Holy Family, they have to work, and to provide for the daily wants of life. Joseph had to engage in trade, in order to live ; even the divine hands laboured at an artisan’s calling. It is not to be wondered at, that the wealthiest men, if truly wise, have been willing to cast away their riches, and to embrace a life of poverty with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
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Resources:
- The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – Breviary.net
- First Sunday After Epiphany – The Church’s Year, Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine’s
- Holy Family Propers – Gregorian Chant MP3
- Sermons on the Holy Family – Audio Sancto
- Children first learn who God is by knowing their parents – Fr. Z
- The Rearing of Children – OLR
- Novena to the Holy Family
- Consecration of the Family to the Holy Family – Catholic Culture
- Living the Image of God – Pope Benedict’s address on the Feast of the Holy Family
- Papal Documents on the Family
- Holy Family Holy Card Collection – Holy Card Heaven
- Holy Family Coloring Page – JOYfilledfamily
- Nativity Coloring Page – St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
- Holy Family Post from 2011
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Prayer to the Holy Family
O most loving Jesus, Who by Thy sublime and beautiful virtues of humility, obedience, poverty, modesty, charity, patience and gentleness, and by the example of Thy domestic life, didst bless with peace and happiness the family Thou didst choose on earth, in Thy clemency look down upon this household, humbly prostrate before Thee and imploring Thy mercy. Remember that this family belongs to Thee; for to Thee we have in a special way dedicated and devoted ourselves. Look upon us in Thy loving kindness; preserve us from danger; give us help in time of need, and grant us the grace to persevere to the end in the imitation of Thy Holy Family; that having revered Thee and loved Thee faithfully on earth, we may bless and praise Thee eternally in heaven.
O Mary, most sweet Mother, to thy intercession we have recourse, knowing that thy Divine Son will hear thy prayers.
And do thou, O glorious Patriarch, St. Joseph, assist us by thy powerful mediation, and offer, by the hands of Mary, our prayers to Jesus. Amen.
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Sancta Familia ~ ora pro nobis
What an awesome prayer for families! Thank you for posting! We’ll say it tomorrow before our Sunday dinner.