The Holy Family, consisting of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, is a central figure in Christian tradition. Although the Canonical Scriptures provide limited information about their life, including significant events like Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, their flight to Egypt, and Jesus being found in the temple, these texts leave many details unexplored. To fill these gaps, non-canonical texts like the Infancy Gospel of Thomas offer stories, but these have not been accepted into the canon due to their portrayal of Jesus.

Despite these gaps in the historical record, the Holy Family has become an important symbol in Christian devotion, particularly since the 17th century. This devotion was further institutionalized when Pope Benedict XV, in 1921, established the Feast of the Holy Family in the Latin Rite general calendar, a practice previously confined to regional observance. The Feast, celebrated on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s Day, emphasizes the Holy Family as a model for Christian families and domestic life. If Christmas and New Year’s Day are both Sundays, the Feast is observed on December 30th, but attendance is not mandatory. Before 1969, it was celebrated on the first Sunday after Epiphany.

The Feast of the Holy Family is more than a celebration of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph; it’s an opportunity to reflect on and sanctify our own family units. The concept of the “domestic church” encourages Christians to make Christ and His Church central to family and individual life. This can be achieved through practices like reading scripture, praying, attending Mass, and emulating the Holy Family.

The Church also identifies behaviors that contradict God’s vision for the family, such as abortion, contraception, same-sex marriage, polygamy, embryonic stem-cell research, divorce, and abuse. Catholic teaching emphasizes that marriage should be open to procreation and cautions against practices that impede this. Additionally, social issues like poverty and lack of healthcare are seen as detrimental to families and are areas of concern for Christians.

The Feast of the Holy Family serves as a time to appreciate and pray for our families, both human and spiritual. It’s also an occasion to assess our family life, considering how it might be improved and how we can foster family values in our communities.

Editorial credit: meunierd / Shutterstock.com
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11 COMMENTS

  1. holy family sna po mtpos n problema ko s mga gmot risdin n green rivotril syclop xanor serenace akineton ziproc altrox akidin vit ni kuya emil tolanz sna wg n po un gmulo s isip ko pls sna wla n bmulong kalain bakekang panget pg umiinom ako gmot umaga at gabi pls sna wg n tmambay s lbas cla gami aldrin chris kalbo pls sna tmhmk n pristina pls sna wg n kmi mgkailangan ni pyt pls sna wg n rn sna sya mglakwatsa pls sna umuwi n sya maaga plgi pls sna wg nko mlgsan ng ngipin kht kelan pls sna wg nko mhilo mtrnta matense kht kelan pls sna wg nko guluhin ng taong nkkslmuha ko pls sna mgnda araw ko plgi pls sna mklipat nko by lpit n sna mgswa nmn kklakwatsa cla pyt at manas pls tska nlng pls sna mtgl p mgpbkod c kalbo pls sna wg n rn sna sya mgitra lbas nla pls sna wg n rn sna sya mgybng kotse nya pls sna wg n rn sna sya tmambay nla pls sna mka di out ako pg umiinom ako gmot o vit aalis man ako o hndi pls sna mkmove on nko pumogi mgka gf sna mgkwork n din sna bmlk n ung dtng ako sna gmling n c papa sna kya n nya kht la oxygen sna thmk lng pgcelebrate new yr d2 pristina pls wla inuman tmbay wla cla gami aldrin chris kalbo pls sna mgnda araw ko plgi pls sna wla lkad cla pyt at manas ngaun pls sna ptwd po s lht ng kslanan ko tnx amen

  2. Lord Jesus Christ, who, being made subject to Mary and Joseph, didst consecrate domestic life by Thine ineffable virtues; grant that we, with the assistance of both, may be taught by the example of Thy holy Family and may attain to its everlasting fellowship. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

  3. Dear Lord, bless our family. Be so kind as to give us the unity, peace, and mutual love that You found in Your own family in the little town of Nazareth.
    Saint Joseph, bless the head of our family. Obtain for him the strength, the wisdom, and the prudence he needs to support and direct those under his care.
    Mother Mary, bless the mother of our family. Help her to be pure and kind, gentle and self-sacrificing. For the more she resembles you, the better will our family be.
    Lord Jesus, bless the children of our family. Help them to be obedient and devoted to their parents. Make them more and more like You. Let them grow, as You did, in wisdom and age and grace before God and man.
    Holy Family of Nazareth, make our family and home more and more like Yours, until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with You. Amen.

  4. THE. HOLY. FAMILY,,,,,,,
    SHOWS. US. THE. WAY. TO. LIVE,,,,,
    WITH. UNCONDITIONAL,,,,,,LOVE
    AND. KINDNESS!!!
    THEY. TEACH. US. TO. GIVE,,,,,,,,,,,OF,,,OURSELVES…….IN….
    ALL. POSSIBLE. WAYS. FOR. OUR
    FELLOW,,,,MAN !!!
    FOR,,,PEACE. ON. EARTH !!!

  5. Litany to Saint Joseph:

    Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
    Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
    God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
    God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
    God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

    Holy Mary, pray for us.

    St. Joseph, pray for us.
    Blessed offspring of David, pray for us.
    Light of patriarchs, pray for us.
    Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
    Chaste custodian of the Blessed Virgin, pray for us.
    Guardian of the Son of God, pray for us.
    Defender of Christ, pray for us.
    Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
    O Joseph, most just, pray for us.
    O Joseph, most chaste, pray for us.
    O Joseph, most prudent, pray for us.
    O Joseph, most forceful, pray for us.
    O Joseph, most obedient, pray for us.
    O Joseph, most faithful, pray for us.
    Mirror of patience, pray for us.
    Lover of poverty, pray for us.
    Model of labourers, pray for us.
    Patriarch of the home, pray for us.
    Protector of virgins, pray for us.
    Strength of the family, pray for us.
    Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
    Hope of the sick, pray for us.
    Patron of the dying, pray for us.
    Terror of demons, pray for us.
    Protector of the church, pray for us.

    Lamb of God, You who take away the sins of the world, forgive us O Lord
    Lamb of God, You who take away the sins of the world, hear us O Lord
    Lamb of God, You who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

    Let us pray; Lord Jesus, through the merits of the devoted spouse of Your most holy Mother, help us, we beseech Thee, that what of ourselves we cannot obtain, may be granted through the intercession of the Most Holy Patriarch, Saint Joseph. You who reign with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.

    (Partial Indulgence granted for each of six approved litanies, including Saint Joseph’s Litany, prayed daily for holy souls!)
    08DEC2020-08DEC2021 = Year of Saint Joseph

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