Hymns of the Holy Family

Prayers to the Holy Family (Click/Expand)
ANT. Jesus went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them..

V/. Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, O Lord.

R/. They shall praise Thee forever and ever.

Let us pray.

O LORD Jesus Christ, Who, becoming subject to Mary and Joseph, didst hallow the life of the home by singular virtues, grant by the help of both that we may be instructed by the example of Thy Holy Family, and have fellowship with it forever. Who livest and reignest for all ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer in Honour of the Holy Family

GRANT us, O Lord Jesus, faithfully to imitate the examples of Thy Holy Family, so that in the hour of our death, in the company of Thy glorious Virgin Mother and St. Joseph, we may deserve to be received by Thee into eternal tabernacles. Amen.

Daily Prayer before a Picture of the Holy Family

O MOST loving Jesus, Who by Thy surpassing virtues and the example of Thy home life didst hallow the household in which Thou didst choose to live whilst on earth, mercifully look down upon this family, whose members, humbly prostrate before Thee, implore Thy protection. Remember that we are Thine, bound and consecrated to Thee by a special devotion. Protect us in Thy mercy, deliver us from danger, help us in our necessities, and impart to us strength to persevere always in the imitation of Thy Holy Family, so that, by serving Thee and loving Thee faithfully during this mortal life, we may at length give Thee eternal praise in heaven.

O Mary, dearest Mother, we implore thy assistance, knowing that thy divine Son will hearken to thy petitions.

And do thou, most glorious patriarch, St. Joseph, help us with thy powerful patronage, and place our petitions in Mary’s hands, that she may offer them to Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pious Invocations

JESUS, Mary and Joseph, I give thee my heart and my soul.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with thee!

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Happy We Who Thus United
Rev. Edward Vaughan Jan Roh, arranged by Nicola Montani,
Ave Virgo Virginum
1. Happy we, who thus united
Join in cheerful melody;
Praising Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
In the “Holy Family.”
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, help us,
That we ever true may be,
To the promises that bind us
To the Holy Family.
2. Jesus, Whose almighty bidding
All created things fulfill,
Lives on earth in meek subjection
To His earthly parents’ will.
Sweetest Infant, make us patient
And obedient for Thy sake,
Each us to be chaste and gentle,
All our stormy passions break.
3. Mary! thou alone were chosen
Virgin Mother of thy Lord:
Thou didst guide the earthly footsteps
Of the Great Incarnate Word.
Dearest Mother! Make us humble;
For thy Son will take His rest
In the poor and lowly dwelling
Of a humble sinner’s breast.
4. Joseph! Thou wert called the father
Of thy Maker and thy Lord;
Thine it was to save thy Saviour
From the cruel Herod’s sword.
Suffer us to call thee father;
Show to us a father’s love;
Lead us safe thro’ ev’ry danger
Till we meet in heav’n above.



Commentary on the Feast of the Holy Family (Click/Expand)
St. Bernard comments on the Gospel of the day (given below):
First Sunday After The Epiphany Within the Octave, or December 26
The Gospel is taken from the Second Chapter of St. Luke (Luke 2:42-52):
And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day’s journey and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: “Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.”
And he said to them: “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my father’s business?”
And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and grace with God and men.

St. Bernard (In the Third Nocturn)

And He was subject to them.” Who? To whom? God to man! God, I say, to Whom the Angels are subject, Whom Principalities and Powers obey, He, indeed, was subject to Mary. Nor to Mary only, but to Joseph because of Mary. Marvel, therefore, at both, and choose whether you will most wonder at the benign condescension of the Son, or the exceedingly great dignity of the Mother. Both are amazing; both miraculous. That God should obey a woman is humility without parallel. That a woman should rule God is sublimity without equal. In praise of virgins, it is sung, that they follow the Lamb whithersoever He goes. But what praise can set forth Her dignity, Who leads Him?

Learn, O man, to obey. Learn, O earth, to be subject. Learn, O dust, to submit. The Evangelist, in speaking of thy Maker says, and He was subject to them. Without any doubt he was subject to Mary and Joseph. Be ashamed, O proud ashes. God humbles Himself, and you—do you exalt yourself? God subjected Himself to men, and do you, longing to dominate men, place yourself above your Creator? Should I, at any time, think such a thing, would that God would deign to answer me as He answered in rebuking His Apostle: “Get behind Me, satan… for thou dost not mind the things of God, but those of men.” (Matt. 16: 23) As often as I desire pre-eminence over men, so often do I strive to go before God. Truly then I savor not the things that are of God. For of Him it was said, and He was subject to them. If, man, you disdain to imitate the example of men, surely it will not be an indignity to you to follow that of your Creator. If, perchance, you cannot follow Him whithersoever He goes, deign at least to follow Him when He humbles Himself for you.

If you are not able to walk along the sublime path of virginity, at least follow God by the very safe way of humility. Should anyone depart from this straight way—even though he be a virgin—he does not, the truth must be told, follow the Lamb whithersoever He goes. The one is not able to ascend to the spotlessness of the Lamb Who is without spot, nor does the other deign to descend to the meekness of the Lamb Who remained dumb, not before His shearers only, but before His murderers. Yet the sinner following in humility chooses a more salutary way than the proud man who follows in virginity, inasmuch as the humble satisfaction cleanses the uncleanness of the first, whereas pride defiles the chastity of the other.

Holy Family In the Holy Sacrifice, the Introit recalls the joy that must have filled the cave of Bethlehem on that Christmas night; let us again rejoice with Mary and Joseph and sing the praises of the resting-place of the Lord of Hosts:

(Prov. 23) The father of the Just rejoices greatly; let Thy father and Thy mother be joyful, and let her rejoice that bore Thee. (Ps. 83) How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts: my soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord. V. Glory be to the Father…

The Church prays in the Collect that the home life of every Christian family may be sanctified and perfected by the example of that of the Holy Family; this is Her unceasing wish for Her children:

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who by subjecting Thyself to Mary and Joseph didst consecrate family life with wonderful virtues: grant that, by Their joint assistance, we may fashion our lives after the example of Thy Holy Family, and obtain everlasting fellowship with It. Who livest and reignest…

After the Commemorations of the Sunday and of the Octave, there follows a Lesson from the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Collosians:

Brethren: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience. Bear with one another and forgive one another, if anyone has grievance against any other; even as the Lord has forgiven you, so also do you forgive. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts; unto that peace, indeed, you were called in one body. Show yourselves thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly: in all wisdom teach and admonish one another by psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing in your hearts to God by His grace. Whatever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (c. 3)

If we would attain to charity, the bond of perfection which unites all Christians together in the one great family of God, we must pay heed to those virtues which the Epistle puts before us. We must be full of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty and patience; we must bear with one another and forgive one another, after the example of the Incarnate Word. Then the peace of Christ will dwell not only in our hearts, but in those around us, and our homes will truly become like that of Nazareth, where Jesus, Mary and Joseph were ever singing in Their hearts to God by His grace.

In the Gradual Holy Church again celebrates the praises of the House of the Lord; She proclaims the blessedness of those that obtain lasting fellowship in the heavenly home above; yet in the Alleluia verse She recalls the lowliness of the earthly home of our Emmanuel, which made Him truly a hidden King:

(Ps. 26) One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. V. (Ps. 83) Blessed are they who dwell in Thy house, O Lord; they shall praise Thee forever and ever. Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Isa. 45) Verily Thou art a hidden God, the God of Israel, the Savior. Alleluia.



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Sing The Holy Family’s Praises
Rev. Edward Vaughan Franz Josef Haydn,
Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser
1. Sing the Holy Family’s prai_-ses:
Mary, mother of her_ Lord;
Joseph, chosen to protect_ her;
Jesus, subject to their_ word.
Jesus, Ma_-ry, Joseph, help_ us,
That our homes on earth may be,
One in love_ and deep affec_-tion
With the_ Ho_-ly_ Fam-i_-ly.
2. Mary, thou alone wert cho_-sen
To be mother of thy_ Lord.
Thou wert guide unto the foot_-steps
Of the infant Christ a_-dored.
Dearest Mo_-ther, make us hum_-ble,
For thy Son will take His rest,
In the poor_ and humble dwel_-ling
Of a_ hum_-ble sinner’s_ breast.
3. Joseph, thou wert called the fa_-ther
Of thy Maker and thy_ Lord;
Thou wert sent to save thy Sa_-vior
From the cruel Herod’s_ sword.
Grant that we_ may call thee fa_-ther;
Show to us a father’s love,
Lead us safe_ from every dan_-ger,
Till we_ meet_ in_ heav’n a_-bove.
Amen.


PRAYER composed by HH Pope Pius IX
O Divine Heart of Jesus, I adore Thee, I love Thee and I invoke Thee, in union with all those who adore Thee, every moment of my life (the card is difficult to read here) and especially in temptation and at the hour of my death. Amen

100 days’ indulgence once daily, plenary once a month.

PRAYER to which 100 days’ indulgence is attached, granted by HH Pope Pius VIII
Blessed be the Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God.

Jesus, Joseph and Mary, I give you my heart, my soul and my life;
Jesus, Joseph and Mary, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Joseph and Mary, may I breathe forth my spirit in peace with you.
Amen


300 days’ indulgence applicable to the souls in Purgatory.

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Jesus, Ever-Loving Saviour
1. Jesus, ever loving Saviour,
Thou didst live and die for me,
Living, I will live to love Thee,
Dying, I will die for Thee,
Jesus! Jesus!
By Thy life and death and sorrow,
Help me in my agony.
2. When the last dread hour approaching
Fills my guilty soul with fear;
All my sins rise up before me,
All my virtues disappear.
Jesus! Jesus!
Turn not Thou in anger from me,
Mary, Joseph, then be near.
3. Mary, thou canst not forsake me,
Virgin mother undefiled;
Thou didst not abandon Jesus
Dying, tortured and reviled.
Jesus! Jesus!
Send Thy Mother to console me:
Mary, help Thy guilty child!
4. Jesus, when the cruel anguish
Dying on the shameful tree,
All abandoned by Thy Father,
Thou didst writhe in agony.
Jesus! Jesus!
By these three long hours of sorrow
Thou didst purchase hope for me.
5. Then, by all that Thou didst suffer,
Grant me mercy in that day;
Help me, Mary, my sweet Mother,
Holy Joseph, near me stay.
Jesus! Jesus!
Let me die, my lips repeating,
Jesus, mercy! Mary, pray!
Amen.

This shortlink
http://www.sing-prayer.org/p/1673