The Holy Family
Holy Family with Saint Anne, Vincenzo Catena, c. 1515
Prayer in Honour of the Holy Family
O LORD Jesus Christ, Who, being made subject to Mary and Joseph, didst sanctify
home life with ineffable virtues: grant that, with the aid of both, we may be
taught by the example of Thy Holy Family, and attain to eternal fellowship with
them: Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.
(Roman Missal, Feast of the Holy Family, First Sunday after Epiphany, Collect)
A Slightly different translation:
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 forever. Amen.
DOMINE Iesu Christe, qui Mariae et Ioseph subditus, domesticam vitam
ineffabilibus virtutibus consecrasti: fac nos, utriusque auxilio, Familae
sanctae tuae exemplis instrui et consortium consequi sempiternum: Qui vivis et
regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
The Two Trinities, Bartoleme Esteban Murillo, c. 1675-1682
A Prayer than can be said before any representation of the Holy Family
O most loving Jesus, Who, by the ineffable virtues and by the example of Thy domestic life, didst consecrate the family which 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 every danger, give us help in the time of need, and grant us the grace to persevere to the end in the imitation of the Holy Family, that, having revered Thee and loved Thee faithfully upon 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.
(Approved by Pope Leo XIII, 1892)
The Holy Family at Work, Book of Hours of Catherine of Cleves, c. 1440
Act of Consecration of a Christian Family to the Holy Family
O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, Who didst come into the world to
enlighten it by Thy teaching and by Thine example, and Who didst will to
pass the greater part of Thy mortal life in the poor cottage at Nazareth in
humble subjection to Mary and Joseph, thus sanctifying that Family which
was to be the model of all Christian families, graciously receive this family
which dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou protect us,
do Thou watch over us! Do Thou bestow upon us Thine holy fear, peace,
concord and Christian love that so, by the imitation of Thy Family as our
pattern and model, we may each and all obtain everlasting happiness.
O Mary, loving mother of Jesus and our mother, by thy gracious
intercession, may this humble dedication be acceptable to Jesus, and
obtain for us His graces and blessings.
St. Joseph, holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities so that, with Mary and with thee, we may for all eternity bless and thank our divine Redeemer, Jesus.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be three times.
Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
This act of consecration is traditionally done on the Feast of the Holy Family or during the month of February (being the month dedicated to the Holy Family).
The Young Jesus, Gerard van Honthorst, 1620
Litany of the Holy Family
O Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we humbly invoke you as our most loving
and powerful protectors. To you do we have recourse in all our
wants, in all our trials and afflictions; and we implore you to take us,
and all Christian families, under your especial protection.
May you be ever honoured and loved, blessed and praised, by us and
by all mankind. ℟. Amen.
Blessed be Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
worthy objects of our reverence and love,
praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
by the voice of all ages called the Holy Family,
praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
image on earth of the Adorable Trinity,
praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family,
tried by the greatest contradictions,
praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, afflicted in the journey to Bethlehem, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family,
rejected by all and obliged to take refuge in a stable, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, saluted by the choirs of angels, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, visited by the poor shepherds, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, venerated by the wise men, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, persecuted and exiled in a strange country, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, hidden and unknown at Nazareth, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, model of Christian families, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, living in peace and charity, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, leading a life of poverty, toil and suffering, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, in which the father is a model of paternal vigilance, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, in which the mother is a model of maternal care, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, in which the Child is a model of obedience and filial piety, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, poor in the goods of this world but rich in the goods of Heaven, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, despised by men but great before God, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Blessed be the Holy Family, our support in life, our hope in death,
praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Let us pray.
O God of goodness and mercy, grant that we may always honour and imitate
Jesus, Mary and Joseph so that, pleasing them on earth, we may enjoy their
presence in Heaven, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holy Family with Saint Anne, El Greco, c. 1605
JESUS, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.
MARY, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.
JOSEPH, Foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.
HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you. Amen.
Three Hearts of the Holy Family, Vintage French Holy Card, Late 1800s
This Webpage first posted on The Feast of the Holy Family, Sunday 9 January 2022.
Immaculate Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Immaculata Regina Pacis, ora pro nobis.
