The Holy Family
Feast Day: the Sunday within the Octave of the Epiphany, January 7 through January 13
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Since the three holiest persons the world has ever beheld, Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God, his Immaculate Mother, Mary, and His foster father, Saint Joseph, dwelt together for many years in a humble home of Nazareth, it is natural that Catholic should venerate them not only as individuals, but also as a family. The cult of the Holy Family, however, did not manifest itself to any extent in the Church until the 17th century. At that time this devotion became popular throughout Europe and was introduced into Canada through the zeal of F. de M. Laval , first V. p. of Quebec. This period witnessed the establishment in France of a religious congregation of women known as daughters of the Holy Family at the present day there is several religious congregations both of brothers and of sisters under the patronage of the Holy Family. In 1861, Father Francoz, a Jesuit, founded at Lyons an association of Christian families consecrated to the Holy Family. Pope Leo the XIII, in his Apostolic letter " NEMINEM fugit" (June 14, 1892), afflicted to this society all the similar organizations throughout the world and enriched it with many privilege and indulgences. The Card.- Vicar of Rome is the protector of this association. The Archconfraternity of the Holy Family differs from the proceeding association in that it is composed, not of families as such, but of individuals. It owes its origin tot he zeal of a Belgian military officer of the 19th century, Henri Belletable. Perceiving the havoc that was being wrought among the working classes by socialism, Belletable established at Liege, 1844 a confraternity of working men under the patronage of the Holy Family. Its first spiritual director was the Redemptorist, Fr. Victor Dechamps, later cardinal and Abp. of Malines. In 1847, the organization was approved by Pope Pius IX, who elevated the confraternity of Liege to the dignity of an archconfraternity, with the right to affiliate to itself other confraternities throughout the world, and to communicate to them its spiritual privileges. The confraternity is now extensively spread through Europe and America and had a membership odf several hundred thousand . It is no longer limited to working-men; any Catholic, man or woman, child or adult , may join the association. It is , to a great extent, under the direction of the Redemptorist Fathers, the rector of the Redemptorist community at Liege being its chief director. One of the most celebrated confraternities is that in in the Redemptorist Church at Limerick, Ireland, which counts more than 6,000 men as practical members. By decree of the Congregation of Rites. October 26, 1921, a feast of the Holy Family was instituted for the Universal Church, to be celebrated on the Sunday within the Octave of the Epiphany.- The New catholic Encyclopedia, 1929
Prayers and Hymns in Honor of the
Holy Family
| Prayer in Honor of the Holy Family | |
Prayer in Honor of the Holy Family
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.
From the Raccolta # 276
An Indulgence of 5 years, A plenary indulgence once a month on the usual conditions for the daily recitation of this prayer
O gente felix hospita
O House of Nazareth the
Blest
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Written by Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903). This hymn was is used for Lauds on the Feast of the Holy Family. |
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O GENTE felix hospita, augusta sedes Nazarae, quae fovit alma Ecclesiae et protulit primordia. |
O HOUSE of Nazareth the blest, fair hostess of the Lord, the Church was nurtured at thy breast and shared thy scanty hoard. |
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Sol, qui pererrat aureo terras iacentes lumine, nil gratius per saecula haec vidit aede, aut sanctius. |
In all the spreading lands of earth the wandering sun may see no dearer spot, no ampler worth than erst was found in thee! |
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Ad hanc frequentes convolant caelestis aulae nuntii, virtus hoc sacrarium visunt, revisunt, excolunt. |
We know thy humble tenement was heaven's hermitage: Celestial heralds came and went in endless embassage. |
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Quae mente, Iesu, qua manu, optata patris perficit! Quo Virgo gestit gaudio materna obire munera! |
There, whatsoever Ioseph asks Christ hastens to fulfill; while Mary loves the household tasks that wait her joyous will. |
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Adest amoris particeps curaeque Ioseph coniugi, quos mille iungit nexibus virtutis auctor gratia. |
There, Joseph toileth at her side her joys and griefs to share, with thousand ties knit to his bride, of love and work and prayer. |
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Hi diligentes invicem in Iesu amorem confluunt, utrique Iesu mutuae dat caritatis praemia. |
Yet how their bosoms constant burn and deeper ardors prove in love of Christ, whose eyes return tokens of mutual love. |
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Sic fiat, ut nos caritas iungat perenni foedere, pacemque alens domesticam amara vitae temperet! |
O then, in all the homes of earth, be Love the bond of life: May it enthrone at every hearth the peace that husheth strife. |
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Iesu, tuis oboediens qui factus es parentibus, cum Patre summo ac Spiritu semper sibi sit gloria. |
All praise to Thee, O Jesus, who parents dost obey; Praise to the sovereign Father and Paraclete for aye. |
From the Roman Breviary. Translation by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Hugh Thomas Henry (1862-1946).
O Lux beata caelitum
O Highest Hope of Mortals
| Written by Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903). This hymn is used for Vespers on the Feast of the Holy Family. |
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O LUX beata caelitum et summa spes mortalium Iesu, o cui domestica arrisit orto caritas: |
O HIGHEST Hope of mortals, blest Light of Saints above, O Jesu, on whose boyhood home smiled with kindly love; |
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Maria, dives gratia, o sola quae casto potes fovere Iesum pectore, cum lacte donans oscula: |
And thou whose bosom nursed Him, O Mary, highly graced, whose breast gave milk to Jesus, whose arms thy God embraced. |
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Tuque ex vetustis partibus delecte custos Virginis, dulci patris quem nomine divina Proles invocat: |
And thou of all men chosen to guard the Virgin's fame, to whom God's Son refused not a Father's gracious name. |
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De stirpe Iesse nobili nati in salutem gentium, audite nos, qui supplices vestras ad aras sistimus. |
Born for nation's healing, of Jesse's lineage high, behold the supplicants kneeling, o hear the sinner's cry! |
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Dum sol redux ad vesperum rebus nitorem detrahit, nos hic manentes intimo ex corde vota fundimus. |
The sun returned to evening, dusks all the twilight air: we, lingering here before you, pour out our heartfelt prayer. |
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Qua vestra sedes floruit virtutis omnis gratia, hanc detur in domesticis referre posse moribus. |
Your home was as a garden made glad with fairest flowers; may life thus blossom sweetly in every home of ours. |
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Iesu, tuis oboediens qui factus es parentibus, cum Patre summo ac Spiritu semper tibi sit gloria. |
All praise to Thee, O Jesus, who parents dost obey; praise to the sovereign Father and Paraclete for aye. |
From the Breviary and Liturgia Horarum. Translation from the Marquis of Bute's Breviary.
Sacra iam splendent
A Thousand Lights Their Glory Shed
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Written by Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903). This hymn is used for the Office of the Readings on the Feast of the Holy Family. |
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SACRA iam splendent decorata lychnis templa, iam sertis redimitur ara, et pio fumant redolentque acerrae thuris honore. |
A THOUSAND lights their glory shed on shrines and altars garlanded: while swinging censers dusk the air with perfumed prayer. |
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Num iuvet Summo Geniti Parente regios ortus celebrare cantu? num domus David, decora et vetustae nomina gentis? |
And shall we sing the ancestry of Jesus, Son of God most High? Or the heroic names retrace of David's race? |
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Gratius nobis memorare parvum Nazarae tectum, tenuemque cultum gratius Iesu tacitam referre carmine vitam. |
Sweeter is lowly Nazareth, where Jesus drew His childish breath- sweeter the singing that endears His hidden years. |
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Nili ab extremis peregrinus oris, angeli ductu, propere remigrat multa perpessus Puer, et paterno limine sospes. |
An Angel leads the pilgrim band from Egypt to their native land, where Jesus clings to Joseph's arm, secure from harm. |
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Arte, qua Ioseph, humili excolendus abdito Iesus iuvenescit aevo, seque fabrilis socium laboris adiicit ultro. |
And the Child grew in wisdom's ken and years and grace with God and men; and in His father's humble art took share and part. |
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Irriget sudor mea membra, dixit, antequam sparso madeant cruore: haec quoque humano generi expiando poena luatur. |
"With toil," saith He, "my limbs are wet, prefiguring the bloody sweat:" Ah, how He bears our chastisement with sweet content! |
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Assidet Nato pia Mater almo, assidet Sponso bona nupta, felix si potest curas relevare fessis munere amico. |
At Joseph's bench, at Jesus' side, the Mother sits, the Virgin-Bride: Happy, if she may cheer their hearts with loving arts. |
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O neque expertes opere et laboris, nec mali ignari, miseros iuvate, quos reluctantes per acuta rerum urget egestas. |
O Blessed Three! who felt the sting of want and toil and suffering, pity the needy and the obscure lot of the poor. |
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Demite his fastus, quibus ampla splendet faustitas, mentem date rebus aquam: quotquot implorant columen, benigno cernite vultu. |
Banish the pride of life from all whom ample wealth and joys befall: Be every heart with love repaid that seeks your aid. |
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Sit tibi, Iesu, decus atque virtus, sancta qui vitae documenta praebes, quique cum summo Genitore et almo flamine regnas. |
Glory to Thee, O Iesu dear, model of holy living hear! Who reign'st, with Sire and Holy Ghost oe'er heaven's host. |
From the Roman Breviary. Translation by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Hugh Thomas Henry (1862-1946).