Roncalli
The Holy Family are the Child Jesus, His Virgin Mother and Saint Joseph. Veneration of the Holy Family formally begun in the 17th century by St François de Laval, the first bishop of New France, who is also the founder of the confraternity. The Feast of the Holy Family is a liturgical celebration in the Catholic Church, as well as in many Lutheran and Anglican churches, in honour of Jesus, Virgin Mary and St Joseph.
The Feast of the Holy Family falls within the season of Christmas and begun in the General Roman Calendar since 1969, held on the Sunday between Christmas Day and January 1. if both are Sundays, the Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on December 30th.
Sts Matthew and Luke narrate the episodes from the beginning period of Christ’s life, namely his circumcision and later Presentation, the flight to Egypt, the return to Nazareth, and the Finding in the Temple. Joseph and Mary were observant Jews, as Luke narrates. They brought Jesus with them on the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem with other Jewish families.
For us Christians, the Holy Family represents the perfect union of God and man, to be procreative as He has willed. The family is also the local church of God as it represents the Holy Trinity as an embodiment of God’s infinite love. The father is the giver of life, as he gives the seed. The mother is the preserver and nurtures the seed to become life and the result is this perfect love becoming the gift of life.
This is why every child needs both his mother and father. No child deserves to be neglected or abused. The mother also needs to be loved, protected and cherished as well as the father who is automatically the head, needs to be respected and encouraged.
May today continue to remind us about the beauty of family especially our own earthly family and sacrifice for it to become the model family like that of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Happy feast day everyone!
