Prayers for Families and the Holy Family Feast
What is the Feast of the Holy Family?
The Feast of the Holy Family celebrates the family unit of Jesus: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. It falls on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year's Day. If Christmas falls on a Sunday, the feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on December 30. These Holy Family Prayers reflect these themes.
More info: The Holy Family
Alternate Catholic Holy Family Collect
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
Catholic Holy Family Collect
Let us pray [for peace in our families] Father, help us to live as the Holy Family, united in respect and love. Bring us to the joy and peace of your eternal home. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
New Saint Joseph Sunday Missal
Daily Prayer to End Abortion
Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life,
And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.
I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion,
Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death by the Resurrection of Your Son.
I am ready to do my part in ending abortion. Today I commit myself
Never to be silent,
Never to be passive,
Never to be forgetful of the unborn.
I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement,
And never to stop defending life
Until all my brothers and sisters are protected,
And our nation once again becomes
A nation with liberty and justice
Not just for some, but for all.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen!
From Priests For Life
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.
Prayer to the Holy Family After Communion
O Lord Jesus, make those whom Thou dost refresh with Thy heavenly sacrament to imitate continually the example of Thy Holy Family, and that being welcomed at the hour of our death by Thy glorious Virgin-Mother and Saint Joseph, we may be found worthy to be received by Thee into Thy everlasting dwelling: Thou who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
Amen.
Holy Family Feast Postcommunion Prayer in 1962 Missal
Votive Prayer for the Family
Father,
We look to Your loving guidance and order as the pattern of all family life.
By following the example of the holy family of your Son in mutual love and respect, may we come to the joy of our home in heaven.
Catholic Votive Prayer
A Prayer for the Family
Jesus, our most loving redeemer, You came to enlighten the world with your teaching and example. You willed to spend the greater part of Your life in humble obedience to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth. In this way, You sanctified that family, which was to be an example for all Christian families.
Graciously accept our family, which we dedicate and consecrate to You this day. Be pleased to protect, guard, and keep it in holy fear, in peace, and in the harmony of Christian charity. By conforming ourselves to the Divine model of Your family, may we attain to eternal happiness.
New St. Joseph People's Prayer Book
A Prayer for a Child's Return to the Faith
Dear Lord, You became Man, suffered, and died to win salvation for all souls. Look graciously on the soul of my child who has drifted away from You and the Faith. Grant him/her your grace to see the error of his/her ways and return to the fold of Your care.
Teach me to stay close to him/her during this trying time and strive to convert him/her by action and prayers more than by words that may antagonize. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust You to do everything to bring my child back to You.
New St. Joseph People's Prayer Book
Compiled by David Bennett
Updated 12-20-2019