Honoring the Holy Family in Our Own Families

February is the month the Catholic Church dedicates to the Holy Family. This is because on February 2nd we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Ever since getting married, I’ve had this desire on my heart to strive to imitate the Holy Family in my own home with my husband. I don’t think I realized it at first, but thinking about it now I can see how this desire was unfolding. When we moved into our own place I immediately printed out pictures of the Holy Family, framed them, and placed them throughout our home. Then, one Christmas I asked for a beautiful statue of the Holy Family. And most recently we added a Holy water font to our home that has, you guessed it, the Holy Family on it. I see it as my way of reminding us to look to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as our examples of what it means to be a family centered in Christ and rooted in our faith – especially in today’s society where the family is constantly under attack.

Now, as we enter the month of February, my husband and I prepare to imitate the Holy Family even more as we welcome our little girl into the world and become a family of three. I pray that God fill us with the graces to strive to be like Mary and Joseph as we enter parenthood.

Here’s a beautiful prayer I found that I wanted to share also.

Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.

Mary, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.

Joseph, Foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.

Holy Family of Nazareth, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you. Amen.