Feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
The Holy Family, with the docility of each of its members to the will of the Father, teaches us that the aim of family life is the seeking and cultivation of holiness.
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Mass Readings
First Reading – Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Col 3:12-21 or Col 3:12-17
God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and, when he prays, is heard. Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother. My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him; revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins —a house raised in justice to you.
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Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 (R.cf. 1)
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in His ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored. R.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table. R.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life. R.
Gospel – Mt 2:13-15, 19-23
When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy Him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazorean.
Featured Saints
St. Felix I, Pope (†274). He ruled the Church during the government of Emperor Aurelian.
St. Roger, Bishop of Bari, Italy (†1129).
St. Perpetuus of Tours, bishop (†491). He built the Basilica of St. Martin in Tours, France, and reestablished the practice of fasts and vigils in his church.
St. Anysius, Bispo (†406). He participated in the Synod of Capua and was highly praised by St. Ambrose for his fidelity to the doctrine of the Church.
St. Lawrence of Frazzano, monk (†c. 1162). He led a monastic life following the observance of the eastern Fathers in Frazzano, on the island of Sicily.
Blessed Giovanni Maria Boccardo, priest (†1913). Pastor in Pancalieri, Italy; he founded the Congregation of the Poor Daughters of St. Cajetan to care for orphans, the sick, elderly, and to provide Christian education for youth.
Blessed Eugenia Ravasco, virgin (†1900). Foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, for the education of girls and assistance to poor and abandoned children.
Blessed Margaret Colonna, virgin (†1280). As a young lady from a noble family, she distributed her great fortune among the poor and founded a Clarist convent in Palestrina, Italy, dedicated to prayer, penance and contemplation.
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