Feast of the Holy Family

This feastday is always celebrated on the Sunday following Christmas with very rare exceptions. The focus today is on family. It focuses on both marriage and priesthood. Both are intimately linked with family...physical and spiritual. The concept of family has been attacked in our society today. Jesus, through his own earthly family, demonstrates the importance of the "traditional" family to the world. Thus, families must come to see the impact their influence has on society.

Today is a special opportunity for all families. Today, gather the members of your family together and consecrate your family to the protection of the Holy Family using the following prayers:

O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who came to enlighten the world with Your teaching and example, willed to pass the greater part of Your life humbly and in subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously take to Yourself our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to You this day. Defend us, guard us, and establish among us Your holy fear, true peace, and harmony in Christian love; in order that by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Your family all of us without exception may be able to attain to eternal happiness.

Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and our Mother, by your kindly intercession make this, our humble offering, acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings. O Saint Joseph, most holy Guardian of Jesus and Mary, help us by your prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and you for all eternity.

Until next time...a blessed Christmas and God bless.

posted by: crossman at 07:22 | link | comments |
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