Feast of the Holy Family in Traditional Liturgical Calendar (January 12, 2025)

The liturgical calendar for the Traditional Latin Mass observes the Feast of the Holy Family on the first Sunday after Epiphany.

When approving the feast of the Holy Family, Pope Leo XIII wrote:

“When God in his mercy determined to accomplish the work of man’s renewal, which same had so many long ages awaited, he appointed and ordained this work on such wise that its very beginning might shew to the world the august spectacle of a Family which was known to be divinely constituted; that therein all men might behold a perfect model, as well of domestic life as of every virtue and pattern of holiness: for such indeed was the Holy Family of Nazareth. There in secret dwelt the Sun of Righteousness, until the time when he should shine out in full splendour in the sight of all nations. There Christ, our God and Saviour, lived with his Virgin Mother, and with that most holy man Joseph, who held to him the place of father. No one can doubt that in this Holy Family was displayed every virtue which can be called forth by an ordinary home life, with its mutual services of charity, its holy intercourse, and its practices of godly piety, since the Holy Family was destined to be a pattern to all others. For that very reason was it established by the merciful designs of Providence, namely, that every Christian, in every walk of life and in every place, might easily, if he would but give heed to it, have before him a motive and a pattern for the good life.

To all fathers of families, Joseph is verily the best model of paternal vigilance and care. In the most holy Virgin Mother of God, mothers may find an excellent example of love, modesty, resignation of spirit, and the perfecting of faith. And in Jesus, who was subject to his parents, the children of the family have a divine pattern of obedience which they can admire, reverence, and imitate. Those who are of noble birth may learn, from this Family of royal blood, how to live simply in times of prosperity, and how to retain their dignity in times of distress. The rich may learn that moral worth is to be more highly esteemed than wealth. Artisans, and all such as are bitterly grieved by the narrow and slender means of their families, if they would but consider the sublime holiness of the members of this domestic fellowship, cannot fail to find some cause for rejoicing in their lot, rather than for being merely dissatisfied with it. In common with the Holy Family, they have to work, and to provide for the daily wants of life. Joseph had to engage in trade, in order to live; even the divine hands laboured at an artisan’s calling. It is not to be wondered at, that the wealthiest men, if truly wise, have been willing to cast away their riches, and to embrace a life of poverty with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.”

De Litteris Apostolicis Leonis Papae XIII
Breve Neminem fugit 14 Junii 1892

Feast of the Holy Family Prayers

It is important to invoke the Holy Ghost:

Come, O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray:
O God, who by the light of the Holy Ghost,
did instruct the hearts of the faithful,
grant that in the same Holy Ghost,
we may be truly wise,
and ever rejoice in His consolation.
Through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.

Chaplet to the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with me in my last hour.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.

Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Amen.

Say 3 Our Father’s, 3 Hail Mary’s, and 3 Glory be’s.

Consecration to the Holy Family

O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day.

Do Thou protect us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace and concord in Christian love: in order that by living according to the divine pattern of Thy family we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.

Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by the kindly intercession, make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.

O Saint Joseph, most holy Guardian of Jesus and Mary, help us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal needs; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.

Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be three times.
Amen.

Psalm 127

{127:1} Canticum graduum. Beati omnes, qui timent Dominum, qui ambulant in viis eius.
{127:1} A Canticle in steps. Blessed are all those who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways.

{127:2} Labores manuum tuarum quia manducabis: beatus es, et bene tibi erit.
{127:2} For you will eat by the labors of your hands. Blessed are you, and it will be well with you.

{127:3} Uxor tua sicut vitis abundans, in lateribus domus tuæ. Filii tui sicut novellæ olivarum, in circuitu mensæ tuæ.
{127:3} Your wife is like an abundant vine on the sides of your house. Your sons are like young olive trees surrounding your table.

{127:4} Ecce sic benedicetur homo, qui timet Dominum.
{127:4} Behold, so will the man be blessed who fears the Lord.

{127:5} Benedicat tibi Dominus ex Sion: et videas bona Ierusalem omnibus diebus vitæ tuæ.
{127:5} May the Lord bless you from Zion, and may you see the good things of Jerusalem, all the days of your life.

{127:6} Et videas filios filiorum tuorum, pacem super Israel.
{127:6} And may you see the sons of your sons. Peace be upon Israel.

A happy feast of the Holy Family!

We hope that our Holy Family Devotional Candles, rosaries, and chaplets will be used in your prayers often and bring forth much fruit. A happy feast of the Holy Family to you all. Let’s keep our eyes on the Holy Family as we seek to sanctify our own families!

Virgo Sacrata

VIRGÓ SACRÁTA is a Christian mission-driven online resource and shop inspired from the beauty of Catholic faith, tradition, and arts. Our mission is to “Restore All Things to Christ!”, in continuing the legacy of Pope St. Pius X under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?” O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.