The Feast of the Holy Family

The meaning of the celebration

+ While devotion to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph dates back several centuries, the Feast of the Holy Family was instituted by Pope Leo XIII in 1893.

+ Originally celebrated on the Sunday within the Octave of the Epiphany, it is now celebrated on the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas (or on December 30, if there is no Sunday).

+ While this feast invites us to continue our reflection on the Mystery of Christmas, it also highlights how the Holy Family of Nazareth is a model for all Christian families.

For prayer and reflection

“In the loving obedience of this woman, Mary, and this man, Joseph, we have a family into which God comes. God always knocks on the doors of our hearts. He likes to do that. He goes out from within. But do you know what he likes best of all? To knock on the doors of families. And to see families which are united, families which love, families which bring up their children, educating them and helping them to grow, families which build a society of goodness, truth and beauty.”—Pope Francis

Vocations

To learn about religious communities named in honor of the Mystery of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, visit the links below.

For men:

The Croatian Franciscan Friars of the Custody of the Holy Family: www.crofranciscans.com

The Missionaries of the Holy Family: www.MSF-America.org

The Sons of the Holy Family: www.holyfamilyseminary.com

For women:

The Discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Carmel of the Holy Family (Cleveland Heights, OH): www.clevelandcarmel.org

The Discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Monastery of the Holy Family (Erie, PA): www.eriecd.org/carmelites

The Sisters of the Holy Family: www.sistersoftheholyfamily.com

The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth: www.nazarethcsfn.org

Daughters of Divine Charity (Holy Family Province): www.daughtersofdivinecharity.org

The Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Family of Dubuque: www.osfdbq.org

The Sisters of the Holy Family: www.holyfamilysisters.org

Prayer

O God, who were pleased to give us
the shining example of the Holy Family,
graciously grant that we may imitate them
in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity,
and so, in the joy of your house,
delight one day in eternal rewards.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.