The Second Vatican Council was prophetic in many ways. The Council fathers saw the growing
materialism, the breaking down of families, increased number of divorce, and
they sought to brace the Church for the upcoming cultural revolutions. The Feast of the Holy Family was a direct
result of Vatican II, it was added to the liturgical Calendar that we might
celebrate the dignity of the family and that our savior was born as a member of
a family.
It is typically celebrated the Sunday after Christmas, but when a
Sunday does not occur between December 25 and January 1, the feast is
celebrated on December 30.
Saint John Paul II, who was present as a bishop at the Second
Vatican Council never tired of reminding the Church that the future of humanity
depends on marriage and the family.
Saint John Paul wrote a wonderful document on the family called
Familiaris Consortio. He wrote:
At a moment of history in which the
family is the object of numerous forces that seek to destroy it or in some way
to deform it… the Church perceives in a more urgent and compelling way
her mission of proclaiming to all people the plan of God for marriage and the
family.
And within this document, he gave four tasks for the family, so
that families may become what God made them to be.
One, the persons of the family must always seek to grow in
communion with one another. Husbands and wives, parents and children must seek
to deepen the bonds of love that join them.
Two, Saint John Paul called upon families to be at the service of
life. He encouraged spouses to be generous in bringing new life into the world,
as well as being diligent in raising those children in the faith.
Three, he called upon families to contribute to society. Families
should foster deep bonds of communion with other families, and work to ensure
the protection of families through political means.
Finally, he called upon families to share in the life and mission
of the Church. Families should come together for the Sacraments of course, but
also joining together for prayer, scripture study, faith study, charitable
works and evangelization.
Perhaps in these four tasks there is an examination of conscience
for each of us: how to I build, strengthen and heal the bonds of love within my
family? How do I help my family serve life? What can my family do to strengthen
communion with other neighborhood families? and how can my family better share
in the life and mission of the Church?
May our families be inspired by the example of Jesus, Mary, and
Joseph, the Holy Family. As Saint John Paul said, “and may it be they who open
your hearts to the light that the Gospel sheds on every family” for the glory
of God and salvation of souls.
That the many ministries of the Church may strengthen
family life throughout the world,
we pray to the Lord...
That governments may protect the institution of marriage,
made by God as the union
between one man and one woman, we pray to the Lord...
That the family may become ever more the sanctuary of
life, where all are welcomed as a
gift rather than a burden, we pray to the Lord...
That families burdened by divorce, abuse, or alienation
may seek and find the help of the
Holy Family, we pray to the Lord...
That our family members who are ill may enjoy the consolation
of the Lord and the
presence of their loved ones, we pray to the Lord...
That our family members who have died may be welcomed
into eternal life…and for X. for whom this Mass is offered, we pray to the Lord...
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