28 DECEMBER 2014 (Sunday) (White)
- Entrance Antiphon = The shepherds went in haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the Infant lying in a manger.
- First Reading = Genesis 15: 1-6; 21: 1-3
- Responsorial Psalm = THE LORD REMEMBERS HIS COVENANT FOREVER.
- Second Reading = Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
- Gospel Acclamation = In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, He has spoken to us through the Son.
- Gospel Reading = Luke 2: 22-40 [or Luke 2: 22, 39-40]
- Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed (Nicene Creed)
- Communion Antiphon = Our God has appeared on the earth, and lived among us.
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ABOUT:
- The Feast of the Holy Family is a liturgical celebration in the Catholic Church in honor of Jesus of Nazareth, his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his foster father, Saint Joseph, as a family.
- The primary purpose of this feast is to present the Holy Family as a model for Christian families.
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NOVENA TO THE HOLY FAMILY
source: EWTN
This novena is most appropriately begun nine days before December 28, the feast of the Holy Family. It is also fitting to pray it during the month of February, which is consecrated to the Holy Family.
Novena Prayer:
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, bless me and grant me the grace of loving Holy Church as I should, above every earthly thing, and of ever showing my love by deeds.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, bless me and grant me the grace of openly professing as I should, with courage and without human respect, the faith that I received as your gift in holy Baptism.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, bless me and grant me the grace of sharing as I should in the defense and propagation of the Faith when duty calls, whether by word or by the sacrifice of my possessions and my life.
Jesus, Mary,
and Joseph, bless me and grant me the grace of loving my family and others
in mutual charity as I should, and establish us in perfect harmony of
thought, will, and action, under the rule and guidance of the shepherds of
the Church.
Jesus, Mary,
and Joseph, bless me and grant me the grace of conforming my life fully as I
should to the commandments of God’s law and those of His Holy Church, so as
to live always in that charity which they set forth.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I ask in particular this special favor:
(Mention your favor).
Dedication of One’s Family:
Most loving Jesus, by Your sublime and beautiful virtues of humility, obedience, poverty, modesty, charity, patience, and gentleness, You blessed with peace and happiness the family which You chose on earth. In Your mercy look upon my family. We belong to You, for we have received Your many blessings over many years and we entrust ourselves to Your loving care.
Look upon my family in Your loving kindness, preserve us from danger, give us help in time of need, and grant us the grace to persevere to the end in imitation of Your holy Family, so that having revered You and loved You faithfully on earth, we may praise You eternally in heaven.
Mary, dearest Mother, to your intercession we have recourse, knowing that your Divine Son will hear your prayers. Glorious patriarch, Saint Joseph, help us by your powerful prayers and offer our prayers to Jesus through Mary’s hands. Amen.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, being subject to Mary and Joseph, You sanctified family life by Your beautiful virtues. Grant that we, with the help of Mary and Joseph, may be taught by the example of Your holy Family, and may after death enjoy its everlasting companionship.
Lord Jesus, help us ever to follow the example of Your holy Family, that in the hour of our death Your glorious Virgin Mother together with Saint Joseph may come to meet us, and we may be worthy to be received by You into the everlasting joys of heaven. You live and reign forever. Amen.
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LINKS/ SOURCES:
- "Holy Family" (source: Wikipedia):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Family
- "Holy Family Novena" (source: EWTN):
https://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/novena/HolyFamily.htm
ARTICLES:
- "Pope: "Holy Family, the prototype of each Christian family" (posted 12/31/2006) (source: Asia News)
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope:-%E2%80%9CHoly-Family%E2%80%9D,-the-prototype-of-each-Christian-family-8118.html
- "Feast of the Holy Family: Learning to Love, Pray and Live in the School of Nazareth" (source: Catholic Online):
http://www.catholic.org/news/hf/family/story.php?id=44237
