SUNDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS
SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 29, 2024
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
OPENING OF THE THIRD HOLY DOOR OF THE BASILICA OF ST. JOHN LATERAN
Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Family!
We thank God for the gift of the Holy family. May He graciously grant us the grace to emulate the Holy Family in practicing the virtues of family life and grant us the grace to be true to our faith family identity, so that we will be sources of blessing within our own blood families and faith family. We pray for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. Amenđ
On this Special Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, on this feast day, we humbly pray for all families and for the safety and well-being of all children, we pray for the souls of all the faithful departed, particularly all those persecuted and killed for the faith, and for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest. We pray for God’s grace and mercy and for the safety and well-being of our children and for peace in our family and the whole world. We continue to remember the souls of the faithful departed and the souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ⌠Amen đ âď¸đŻâď¸đŻâď¸đŻ
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amenđ
Watch “FULL RITE OPENING OF THE THIRD HOLY DOOR OF THE BASILICA OF ST. JOHN LATERAN AND HOLY MASS ON THE FEAST OF THE HOLY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH” | ROME | JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025 | DECEMBER 29, 2024 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/29/full-rite-opening-of-the-third-holy-door-of-the-basilica-of-st-john-lateran-and-holy-mass-on-the-feast-of-the-holy-family-of-jesus-mary-and-joseph-rome-jubilee-of-hope-2025-december-29-2024/
Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Pope Francis’s Vicar General, opens the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. John Lateran and Presides over the Holy Mass. Saint John Lateran, on November 9th this year celebrated the 1700th anniversary of its dedication. This is the third Holy Door of the Jubilee of Hope 2025.
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | December 29, 2024 | EWTN on YouTube |
Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | December 29, 2024 |
Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | LIVE Basilica of St. Mary Major | October 6, 2024 |
Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | December 29, 2024 |
Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| December 29, 2024 |
Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUALđšJOYFULđšLUMINOUSđšSORROWFULđšGLORIOUS” oĂšn YouTube |
Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |
Today’s Bible Readings: Sunday in the Octave of Christmas, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph | December 29, 2024
Reading 1, Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Reading 2, Colossians 3:12-21
Gospel, Luke 2:41-52
OR
Reading 1, Samuel 1 : 20-22, 24-28
Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 83 : 2-3, 5-6, 9-10
Reading 2, 1 John 3 : 1-2, 21-24
Gospel, Luke 2 : 41-52
OPENING OF THE HOLY DOORS SCHEDULES
- On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis opened the First Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica.
- On Christmas Day, Pope Francis delivered his Urbi et Orbi message to the people of the city of Rome and the world from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica at noon.
- On 26 December, for the first time in the Jubilee tradition, Pope Francis opened a fifth sacred portal in a Roman prison, a gesture of hope that shows his ongoing closeness to detainees.
- On Sunday, 29 December, the Pope opens the Holy Door of his cathedral, Saint John Lateran, which on 9 November this year celebrated the 1700th anniversary of its dedication.
- Then, on 1 January 2025, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major will be opened.
- Lastly, Sunday, 5 January 2025, will mark the opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
These last three Holy Doors will be closed on Sunday, 28 December 2025.
Today is the Fifth day in the octave of Christmas and we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH: Jesus and His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and His earthly guardian, protector, and foster-father, St. Joseph, make up the Holy Family. The Feast Of The Holy Family is a Catholic religious festival that mainly celebrates the sanctity of the holy family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph), but also celebrates the family unit. God was made incarnate into the embrace of the human family, and the majority of Jesusâ earthly life was spent in the quiet happiness of domestic life with His mother and father. This sacred time, known as the âhidden lifeâ of Jesus, is one of which we know little from Sacred Scripture. The feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on the Sunday within the octave of Christmas. The Feast of the Holy Family falls within the octave of Christmas, on the first Sunday after Christmas. If Christmas falls on a Sunday, the feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on December 30th instead, between December 25 and January 1, with only one reading before the Gospel. Although major feast days dedicated to each member of the Holy FamilyâJesus, Mary, and Josephâalso exist, the Feast of the Holy Family commemorates their life together, and the celebration focuses on religious family life. The primary purpose of the Church in instituting and promoting this feast is to present the Holy Family as the model and exemplar of all Christian families.
Devotion to the Holy Family became more popular during the 15th century, and they appeared prominently in works of art during this period of time. It was during this time that the Holy Family was presented as the ideal for Christian families and that purpose continues to this day. Because of the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt, a feast for the Holy Family has been observed by the Copts from early times. In Western Christianity, however, a cult of veneration for the Holy Family as a group, rather than as individuals, did not arise until the 17th century. This feast developed at the beginning of the 19th century in Canada and then spread to the entire Church in 1920 and was not officially recognized until the feast day was formally instituted in 1921 under Pope Benedict XV. Originally celebrated on the Sunday after Epiphany (January 6), the Feast of the Holy Family was moved to the Sunday after Christmas in 1969, bringing it within the Christmas season. It is a Feast that seeks to portray the Holy Family of Nazareth as the âtrue model of lifeâ from which our families can draw inspiration and know where to find help and comfort. This feast is also every family’s feast day, since the Holy Family is the patron and model of all Christian families. Today should be a huge family feast, since it is devoted entirely to the Holy Family as a model for the Christian family life.
HOLY FAMILY PRAYER: Dear Lord, bless our family. Be so kind as to give us the unity, peace, and mutual love that You found in Your own family in the little town of Nazareth.
Saint Joseph, bless the head of our family. Obtain for him the strength, the wisdom, and the prudence he needs to support and direct those under his care.
Mother Mary, bless the mother of our family. Help her to be pure and kind, gentle and self-sacrificing. For the more she resembles you, the better will our family be.
Lord Jesus, bless the children of our family. Help them to be obedient and devoted to their parents. Make them more and more like You. Let them grow, as You did, in wisdom and age and grace before God and man.
Holy Family of Nazareth, make our family and home more and more like Yours, until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with You. Amen.đ
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I Love You, Save Soulsđ
PRAYER TO THE HOLY FAMILY: Jesus, Mary and Joseph,in you we contemplate the splendor of true love,to you we turn with trust. Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer,authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches. Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division: may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer. Amen đ
PRAYER: Father, help us to live as the holy family, united in respect and love. Bring us to the joy and peace of your eternal home. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever⌠Amen.đ
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph | The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Gospel Reading ~ Luke 2:41â52
“His parents found Jesus sitting in the midst of the teachers”
“Each year Jesusâ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, âSon, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.â And he said to them, âWhy were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Fatherâs house?â But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.”
In todayâs Gospel reading, it took three days for Mary and Joseph to find their twelve year old son, Jesus. The extended family of Jesus had gone up from Nazareth to Jerusalem, for the annual feast of Passover, about a weekâs journey. According to the Gospel reading, it was only after a dayâs journey home again that Jesusâ parents realized He was missing. Mary and Joseph probably assumed He was with other members of the extended family, aunts, uncles, cousins, or with some of the other people from Nazareth, because lots of the townspeople would have travelled together. When they finally found Jesus after three days searching, what Mary said to Him is like what any parent would say to a twelve year old who had gone missing for three days, âMy child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for youâ. All parents who worry about their children can identify with Mary. We worry about those we love. Sometimes we fell that even when those we love are physically close by, they are a bit lost. We sense they are unsettled, searching, and perhaps searching in ways that donât serve them well. When Mary and Joseph eventually found their son, they discovered that He too was searching. While Mary and Joseph were engaged in a physical search for their son, He was engaged in a deeper, spiritual, search. According to the Gospel reading, His parents found Him in the Temple, sitting among the experts in the Scriptures, listening to them and asking them questions. Even at the age of twelve, Jesus had a very deep relationship with God, and, yet, like many a twelve year old, He was still searching. He wanted to know Godâs will for His life more fully. He already knew that His relationship with God was the most important relationship in His life, even more important than His relationship with His parents. That is clear from His response to Maryâs rebuke of Him. She had said, âSee how worried your father and I have been, looking for youâ. He replied, âDid you not know that I must be busy with my Fatherâs affairs?â By âyour fatherâ Mary meant Joseph. However, when Jesus spoke of âmy Fatherâ He meant God. Because of His deep relationship with God, there were certain things He must do. He had this strong desire to do Godâs will and on this occasion that meant taking the opportunity of being in the Temple of Jerusalem to question the religious experts of the time.
Even at the age of twelve, Jesus was beginning to forge His own path, in keeping with that most important relationship in His life, with God His Father. Mary and Joseph were beginning to learn that they had to surrender Jesus to a greater divine purpose. This wasnât easy for them. The Gospel reading says, âthey didnât understand what He meantâ and it declares that Mary, âHis mother stored up these things in her heartâ. It is true that parents are often mystified at what is going on in the minds and hearts of their children, especially as they begin to forge their own path in life. Jesus, even at the age of twelve, was very clear about the path He had to take, even if His parents didnât fully understand it. Our own young people today, are not always clear about the path they need to take, the path God would want them to take. They are often encouraged to go down certain paths by people who donât have their best interests at heart. Indeed, we can all be tempted to take a path that is not Godâs desire for us and wonât serve us well. If our children can get their relationship with God right at an early age, as Jesus did, it will serve them well for the rest of their lives. In todayâs second reading, Saint John declares, âThink of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called Godâs childrenâ and he goes on to say, âWe are already the children of Godâ. Every child, every young person – every adult – is a beloved son or daughter of God. We share in Jesusâ own relationship with God. God is at work in all of our lives as he was at work in the life of Jesus. The more we can help one another to become open to Godâs good work in each otherâs lives, the more we will all become the people God desires us to be.
The term âholy familyâ can make the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph seem remote from us. Yet, this was a family that knew the darker side of human life, as well as its joys and wonders. Yes, there was something special about this family, because Jesus was special. He had a unique relationship with God and a mission from God that no one else before or since has had. At the same time, this family did not appear to stand out from the other families of Nazareth as Jesus was growing up. When Jesus went back to Nazareth as an adult to preach in the synagogue there, his townspeople clearly werenât expecting him to turn out as he did. They asked each other, âWhere did this man get all this?⌠Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and are not his sisters here with us?â There was something very ordinary about this family. In some ways, they were like every other family in Nazareth. Yet, God was doing something very extraordinary in and through what was in many ways a very ordinary family. Perhaps, one of the messages of todayâs feast is that God can continue to do something extraordinary in and through the very ordinariness of our own family lives. The son of Mary and Joseph is now risen Lord who promised to be with us until the end of time. We have all been baptized into that risen Lord. He is present at the heart of every family. In particular the love of a husband and wife for each other and their children makes tangibly present the Lordâs love for us all. There is a sacred, sacramental, quality to every family. Just as Godâs favour was with Jesus, and with Mary and Joseph, according to the Gospel reading, the Lordâs favour is present to all our families. We face into the future in the strength of that favour. The Lordâs loving presence within our families is a powerful resource that can enable us to face every struggle that might come our way in the year ahead. Today, on the feast-day of the only perfect family that ever lived on this earth, all parents are urged to examine themselves and see how they are fulfilling this grave responsibilityâwhich God has placed on them. Are parents preparing their children by word and example, especially by example, to be worthy citizens of heaven where they will be their parents’ crown and glory?
In our first reading today from the prophet Sirach, he highlighted that each of the members of the family ought to do their part and obligations, so that the whole family might exist and work harmoniously together, with the children ought to be caring for their parents and also be obedient to them. However, this does not mean that the parents can then do whatever they wanted to the children. They also have their own responsibilities and duties, as parents of the children, and as well as husband and wife to each other. Every members of the family must also be caring and loving to each other so that the whole family will be united and in harmony. In our second reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians, the Apostle exhorted to the faithful to do just as the prophet Sirach had mentioned, and added on that each and every members of the faithful must clothe themselves with the virtues of the Lord, with love and kindness, with compassion, humility, meekness and other virtues. If each and every one of us do this, and fill ourselves with those Christian virtues and most importantly love, and also do as the prophet Sirach and St. Paul the Apostle had exhorted all of us to do, in the maintenance of good, harmonious and working relationship within our families, certainly we will be able to maintain good and loving relationship within our families, and help our families to flourish ever further. The virtues that the Gospel demand of us can bring sanity back to the world. Where God is forgotten there is no happiness for man. Where the peace of Christ does not reign there is nothing but strife and hostility among men. Where there is no faith and hope in a future life, the present world is already hell. Let us being in our own family circle to bring sanity back to our world. Let us have the true peace of Christ in our hearts and in our home, each one carrying out the task God has allotted to us.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we are called to emulate the most wonderful Family, which God had brought and assembled together to be the perfect role model for all of us in how we ourselves should live up our own Christian families to the best of our abilities. The Holy Family inspires each and every one of us that we should live our own Christian living and model our families upon theirs so that we may all draw ever closer to God and be ever more worthy of God and His salvation, as each time passes by. That is why as we continue to progress through this joyful season of Christmas, we are also reminded to remain faithful as Christian families, all dedicated and centred on God. We’re reminded that, these days there are many threats facing our families, not least because there are many forces trying to shatter the unity of our families apart. Many families had been broken because each and every one of their members had forgotten what families truly mean and what each one of them should base their families on, and most important of that is love. Love is something often lacking in our families today, just because it is the same thing lacking in our marriages these days. People do not marry because they truly love each other, but because of other reasons and for convenience, and hence, when things fall apart, the whole marriage and family naturally fall apart as well. That is what will happen to many of our Christian families as well, if we do not have the strong foundation of love. When each and every members of the family begin to indulge in selfishness, in greed and desire, that is when the unity and harmony in our families disappear. However, we must also remember that there must be faith in our families too, that each and every members of our families ought to have faith in the Lord, and then enthrone Him in the midst of our every families, in our every hearts. If we put the Lord at the centre of our families, and then most importantly, pray together as a family, and spend time together as a family, all believing in the Lord, then all of us will most likely be able to sustain our families despite the many challenges and opposition that we may face in our journey as families of this world, and as families of our respective Christian communities and societies. Let us all therefore look upon the good examples set by the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and make them the examples and inspirations for our own families. May the Lord continue to bless and guide us in our lives within our families, that we may remain harmonious and united despite the challenges we may face, and that as a family, each and every one of us may be growing ever deeper in faith and appreciation of the Lord and the love that He Himself has shown us. May our families be blessed and be strong bastions of Christian faith and love, and as the foundations of the Church, may all of our Christian families be ever strong beacons of Godâs light, hope and love. As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family today, may we all draw ever closer to God through our faithful Christmas celebrations, and through the inspirations from the Saints, especially from St. Thomas Becket, who we celebrate today. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to be true to our faith family identity, so that we will be sources of blessing within our own blood families and faith family. Amenđ
SAINTS OF THE DAY: SAINT THOMAS BECKET, BISHOP AND MARTYR – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 29TH: Today is the Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas and the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. On this special feast day, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr.
SAINT THOMAS BECKET, BISHOP AND MARTYR: St. Thomas Becket (1118-1170), also known as St. Thomas of Canterbury, was Archbishop of Canterbury, from 1162 until his murder in 1170. St. Thomas was born in London, England around the year 1117. He was the son of pious parents, and his mother converted to Christianity through the example and teachings of his father, who was a prosperous London merchant. From his early youth, He was educated in religion and holiness. After his childhood, Thomas was then taught at a monastery and later at a school in London. After the death of both his parents, St. Thomas decided to finish his schooling by studying canon law. He was successful in his studies and was made secretary to one of the courts of London. After working for a while at law, St. Thomas decided to dedicate the rest of his life to God, and began to work towards ordination. Being a well-educated youth, he was appointed as clerk to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and was later made Archdeacon. In this role he met and became close friends with King Henry II of England. The King promoted Becket to the office of Lord Chancellor to the king in 1154 and, when the Archbishop of Canterbury, Theobald died, King Henry sought to elect St. Thomas to the position of Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162, the most powerful ecclesiastical position in all of England. This suggestion was accepted by a synod. St. Thomas warned the king that it might cause friction and conflict of interests, but accepted the position.
In all that he did, he diligently applied himself and became well known as a holy and honest worker. St. Thomas served as bishop by seeking to help the people and develop his own holiness. He practiced many penances and was very generous to the poor with both his time and his money. His work came under the scrutiny of his friend King Henry II. King Henry II supposed that having his close friend in such a position would enable him to enforce his will on the Church. However, in his new role as priest and archbishop, St. Thomas Becket experienced a religious conversion and transferred his ultimate allegiance to the Church. As King Henry’s reign continued, he began more and more to exercise his hand in Church affairs. This caused many disagreements and when he refused to tolerate the existence of certain abuses, the king felt himself offended and finally, matters came to an open rupture between the Archbishop and the King. This led to frequent conflicts over the rights of the Church between the King of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury, resulting in St. Thomas Becket’s exile. After much persecution, to which he was subject, St. Thomas secretly left the kingdom and went to Pope Alexander III who was then in France and who received him kindly.
Later St. Thomas was able to return to England, but he went with the presentiment that he was going to his death. He was received with the greatest demonstrations of joy by his people, but the end was near. He again became involved in a dispute with the king and the king, in a fit of passion, let slip some unguarded words that, however they may have been intended, were constructed so as to place weapons in the hands of the Saintâs assassins. Some of the king’s knights saw this as treason, and as a result St. Thomas was murdered in his church, at the foot of the altar. He was murdered by four knights, the king’s lackeys, who split his skull with their swords as he knelt before the altar offering Mass at the Canterbury Cathedral on December 29, 1170. Within three years after his death, he was canonized as a Martyr by Pope Alexander III. He’s Patron Saint of Clergy; secular clergy; Exeter College Oxford, England; Portsmouth, England. St. Thomas Becket’s feast day is December 29th.
QUOTES OF SAINT THOMAS BECKET:
â”All Saints give testimony to the truth that without real effort, no one ever wins the crown.”
â”Those who tread among serpents, and along a tortuous path, must use the cunning of the serpent.”
â”We know that no trust can be placed on princes and that cursed is the man who placeth his reliance on an arm of flesh.”
â”Whosoever wisely examines the works of God will speedily discover what is next to be done.”
â”The more I loved the king, the more I opposed his injustice until his brow fell lowering upon me. He heaped calumny after calumny on my head, and I chose to be driven out rather than to subscribe.”
PRAYER:Â God, You enabled St. Thomas, Your Martyr, to sacrifice his life courageously in the cause of justice. Through his intercession, help us to give up our lives for Christ in this world so that we might find eternal life in Heaven. Amenđ
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:
MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chosen before time to be the Mother of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, God created Mary perfect and full of grace, preserving her from the stain of Original Sin. Mary Immaculate is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, thereby making her the perfect model of holiness for all Christians.
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/10_1.cfm
THE POPEâS MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – FOR PILGRIMS OF HOPE: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.
https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024
PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, on this special feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we humbly pray for all families, We pray for peace, love and unity in our families and our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray and thank God for granting us the opportunity as we gradually approach the end of the year and we pray for His grace and mercy for the coming year. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the safety and well-being of all those traveling during this season of Christmas. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for an end to wars, political and religious unrest. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and we pray for all widows and widowers. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for all parents and children, for peace, love, justice and unity in our marriages, our families and our world. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world⌠Amenđ
Let us pray:
Feast of the Holy Family: O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity, and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Lord, draw me into the life, love and communion that You lived with Your Immaculate Mother and Saint Joseph. I offer You myself, my family and all those to whom I am called to love with a special love. May I imitate Your family love and life in all my relationships. Help me to know how to change and grow so that I may more fully share in Your family life. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen đ
Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the UniverseâŚ.have mercy on us. Our Blessed Mother Mary, St. Joseph, Saint Thomas Becket ~ Pray for us đ
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I Love You, Save Soulsđ
Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines:
DAILY REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
FOUNDATION | https://gliopiepehe.org
SIR G.L.I OPIEPEâS HEALTH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION |
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/
THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/01/the-saints-who-are-they-and-how-are-they-canonised/
PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/15/purgatory-and-limbo/
Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Journey mercies for all those traveling during this Christmas season. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe and grace-filled Sunday and Christmas Season. Amenđ
Blessings and love always, Philomenađ
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