February Devotion: The Holy Family

During this month of February in which we seek to deepen our devotion to the Holy Family, a novena prayer is provided.  A novena is nine days of prayer for a specific intention which would, in this case, be fittingly tied to our intention of our own families deepening their holiness. 

Novena Prayer to the Holy Family
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 love by my 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 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: (here state your intention).

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 to offer our prayers to Jesus through Mary’s hands.  Amen.

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 Christ, 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.

​(This article is part of a series that will appear over the course of this year on the Monthly Devotions of the Church’s year).
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