Holy Family | Holy Family Parish

Devotion to the
HOLY FAMILY

CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY FAMILY

O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who had come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and 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 receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou defend us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace, and concord in Christian love: in order that, by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Thy family, we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.

Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by thy 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, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be (three times).

FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Grant unto us, Lord Jesus, ever to follow the example of Thy holy Family, that in the hour of our death Thy glorious Virgin Mother together with blessed Joseph may come to meet us and we may be worthily received by Thee into everlasting dwellings: who lives and reign world without end. Amen. Roman Missal

IN HONOR OF THE
HOLY FAMILY

O 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.

NOVENA TO THE HOLY FAMILY

from the Missionaries of the Holy Family

OPENING PRAYER FOR EACH DAY

Heavenly Father, your grace reaches us through the hands of your most precious Son, Jesus. His response to the prayers of Mary and Joseph are assured, so we ask for their prayers during this Novena. Lord, send light to our understanding, inspiration to our decisions, and the fire of pure love to our hearts, so that we will respond to the blessing of your grace in our lives which comes through the prayers of the Holy Family. And you, our Guardian Angels, and all the Saints in Heaven intercede for us so that we may honor Jesus, Mary, and Joseph by the way we live. Help us to find ways to live as they did and to avoid looking for excuses for not changing our ways. Through this Novena in honor of the Holy Family, place in us the desire to pursue and imitate the virtues of the Holy Family and to accept your answer to our requests as your will for our lives. Amen.

FIRST DAY: DEVOTION TO THE HOLY FAMILY

To honor Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is a devotion that is beneficial to all Christians. The lives of the Holy Family on earth serve as models for every state of life for both the individual and the family. God offers His graces through the Holy Family of Nazareth to encourage devotion and reflection on their lives. We are challenged to make their way of life, our way of life. They are a source of virtue, they enlighten our minds, and they show us how to love through sacrifice. Let us respond to the love they have shown us. We pray for a deeper love of the Holy Family.

Meditate on these thoughts.

Then in honor of the Holy Family, pray The Holy Family Prayer, or pray three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.

SECOND DAY: THE HOLY FAMILY DOES GOD'S WILL

The Holy Family began with a “Yes” to the will of God. Mary’s acceptance of God’s will for her life to be the Mother of Jesus began with her saying, “May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). With this, the Holy Family began. Joseph planned to divorce Mary until he learned of God’s plan for him. And while others did not understand Joseph, he accepted God’s will for his life: “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home” (Matthew 1:24). Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane prayed “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Each member said “Yes” to God’s will knowing their “Yes” required sacrifice, but they had confidence in God’s blessings as well. Consider where God is calling us to say “Yes” to His will in our lives. The next time we pray the Our Father, ponder the words “thy will be done.”

Meditate on these thoughts.

Then in honor of the Holy Family, pray The Holy Family Prayer, or pray three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys.

THIRD DAY: THE HOLY FAMILY - MODEL OF PRAYERFULNESS

Prayer is a cornerstone for the Holy Family. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are prayerful as persons and as a family in their practice of the Jewish faith. Joseph and Mary taught Jesus His prayers and they prayed as a family. They kept the Commandments, kept holy the Sabbath and Holy Days (Luke 2:22-41), and gave thanks for their blessings at mealtime. As parents, grandparents, godparents, aunts, and uncles, are we teaching our children how to pray? As children, are we praying for others or only for ourselves? Are we remembering to say grace before our meals at home and when we dine in public? Are we keeping Sundays and Days of Obligation holy by attending Mass and celebrating family life with special activities, or are we instead shopping and doing work that could be done on other days of the week? Consider how Jesus, Mary, and Joseph prayed everyday and especially lived their lives on the ‘Sunday’ of their week.