Feast of the Holy Family

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Family, acknowledging the importance of the human family and in particular, the virgin Mary and St Joseph's role in raising Jesus. The Church in her wisdom felt that the family unit was coming under attack in the early part of the 20th century and pope Benedict the 15th established the Sunday after Christmas to be this feast day. How much more now do we need the family strengthened since this feast day was first inaugurated!

Let us pray
[as the family of God who share in his life]
Father in heaven, creator of all,
you ordered the earth to bring forth life,
and crowned its goodness by creating the family of man.
In history's moment when all was ready
You sent your Son to dwell in time,
obedient to the laws of life in our world.
Teach us the sanctity of human love,
show us the value of family life,
and help us to live in peace with all men
that we may share in your life forever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
New Saint Joseph Sunday Missal