Feast of the Holy Family

On Sunday is the second day of the blessed season of Christmas. This year, the day after Christmas Day is also the Solemnity of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

This feast is celebrated on Sunday following the Lord’s Birth.

Very little information is given by the Bible about the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. What we have are accounts pertaining to the Birth of Jesus up to his loss and finding in the temple. Although some non-canonical writings present to us some stories about Jesus’ childhood and their family life, we regard them as apocryphal.

The family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph was a “Holy Family.” God was at the center of their relationships and prayer was at the very heart of their family life.

While the main focus of Sunday’s celebration is the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, it is also an opportune time for us to celebrate the Christian family. Our families too, must also be holy families. Let us pray for all Christian families, that in spite of all difficulties, they may still strive to live holy lives. Let us pray for one another that He may use our families to recreate a world where peace, justice, love, and truth reign. In the words of Pope John Paul II, “May the Holy Family, who had to overcome many painful trials, watch over all the families in the world, especially those who are experiencing difficult situations.

May the Holy Family also help men and women of culture and political leaders so that they may defend the institution of the family, based on marriage, and so that they may sustain the family as it confronts the grave challenges of the modern age!”