About The Holy Family
The Holy Family is the name given to the family unit of Jesus, His mother Mary and His foster-father Joseph. The main purpose of the Feast is to use the Holy Family as a model for all families. Our homes and families become the “domestic Church” as we live the life of the Church within our homes. We can make Christ and the Church the center of family life by praying together, reading Scripture, attending Mass and trying to imitate the lives of the Holy Family.
Saint John Chrysostom suggested that all Christians homes be a “family church”. Devotion to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph began largely in the seventeenth century with Pope Pius IX and Pope Leo XIII. They approved general confraternities to help promote the devotion and in 1893, Pope Leo approved the feast and wrote part of the Office.
The feast was welcomed by future Popes as a means of bringing to homes the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth and helping Christian families to survive and prosper. Pope Leo XIII stated, “Nothing truly can be more salutary or efficacious for Christian families to mediate upon than the example of this Holy family, which embraces the perfection and completeness of all domestic virtues.”
Holy Family Prayer
What is the Holy Family Novena?
The Holy Family Novena is a traditional 9-day Catholic prayer honoring the Holy Family of Nazareth—Jesus, Mary, mother of Jesus, and Saint Joseph. It is prayed for peace, healing, and unity within families.
What is the Holy Family in Catholic teaching?
The Holy Family refers to Jesus, His mother Mary, mother of Jesus, and His foster father Saint Joseph. They are the perfect model of faith, love, obedience, and family life.
When should I pray the Holy Family Novena?
You may pray this novena at any time of the year, especially before the Feast of the Holy Family, or whenever your family needs prayer and healing.
What intentions is the Holy Family Novena good for?
People commonly pray this novena for:
- Family unity
- Peace in the home
- Healing of relationships
- Protection for children
- Stronger faith in family life
People commonly pray this novena for:
Family unity
Peace in the home
Healing of relationships
Protection for children
Stronger faith in family life
How do you pray the Holy Family Novena?
Pray the novena once each day for nine consecutive days, offering your family and intentions to God through the intercession of the Holy Family.
Why do Catholics pray to the Holy Family?
Catholics pray to the Holy Family because they provide a perfect example of holiness, love, sacrifice, and trust in God within family life.
Can I pray the Holy Family Novena for marriage problems?
Yes. Many Catholics pray this novena for marriage struggles, family conflicts, reconciliation, and healing, asking God to restore peace and love in the home.
When is the Feast Day of the Holy Family
The Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s Day in the Roman Catholic Church.
- If there is a Sunday between December 25 (Christmas) and January 1, the feast is celebrated on that Sunday.
- If Christmas falls on a Sunday, then the Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on December 30 instead.
For example:
- 2025: December 28
- 2026: December 27
This feast honors Jesus, Mary, mother of Jesus, and Saint Joseph as the perfect model of Christian family life. It’s a beautiful day to pray for family unity, peace, and blessings.
Day 1 – Holy Family Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, model for all Christian families, I entrust my family to your care and protection. Bless each member of my family. Help me and the members of my family to love, listen to, support, and accept one another.
Encourage us to challenge one another to be compassionate, merciful, and forgiving as we struggle with the difficulties of our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
Guide us to seek goodness and holiness in our everyday choices, actions, and attitudes. Encourage us when our faith is weak and when we fail to lead one another to Christ.
Make our home a true dwelling place of peace, joy, and love, where you are ever present among us. May we work to uphold each person’s dignity, integrity, and unique contributions to the well-being and growth of our family.
And when our time on earth is complete, bring us all safely home to you in the company of heaven.
Amen.
Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 2 – Holy Family Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, model for all Christian families, I entrust my family to your care and protection. Bless each member of my family. Help me and the members of my family to love, listen to, support, and accept one another.
Encourage us to challenge one another to be compassionate, merciful, and forgiving as we struggle with the difficulties of our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
Guide us to seek goodness and holiness in our everyday choices, actions, and attitudes. Encourage us when our faith is weak and when we fail to lead one another to Christ.
Make our home a true dwelling place of peace, joy, and love, where you are ever present among us. May we work to uphold each person’s dignity, integrity, and unique contributions to the well-being and growth of our family.
And when our time on earth is complete, bring us all safely home to you in the company of heaven.
Amen.
Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 3 – Holy Family Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, model for all Christian families, I entrust my family to your care and protection. Bless each member of my family. Help me and the members of my family to love, listen to, support, and accept one another.
Encourage us to challenge one another to be compassionate, merciful, and forgiving as we struggle with the difficulties of our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
Guide us to seek goodness and holiness in our everyday choices, actions, and attitudes. Encourage us when our faith is weak and when we fail to lead one another to Christ.
Make our home a true dwelling place of peace, joy, and love, where you are ever present among us. May we work to uphold each person’s dignity, integrity, and unique contributions to the well-being and growth of our family.
And when our time on earth is complete, bring us all safely home to you in the company of heaven.
Amen.
Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 4 – Holy Family Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, model for all Christian families, I entrust my family to your care and protection. Bless each member of my family. Help me and the members of my family to love, listen to, support, and accept one another.
Encourage us to challenge one another to be compassionate, merciful, and forgiving as we struggle with the difficulties of our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
Guide us to seek goodness and holiness in our everyday choices, actions, and attitudes. Encourage us when our faith is weak and when we fail to lead one another to Christ.
Make our home a true dwelling place of peace, joy, and love, where you are ever present among us. May we work to uphold each person’s dignity, integrity, and unique contributions to the well-being and growth of our family.
And when our time on earth is complete, bring us all safely home to you in the company of heaven.
Amen.
Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 5 – Holy Family Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, model for all Christian families, I entrust my family to your care and protection. Bless each member of my family. Help me and the members of my family to love, listen to, support, and accept one another.
Encourage us to challenge one another to be compassionate, merciful, and forgiving as we struggle with the difficulties of our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
Guide us to seek goodness and holiness in our everyday choices, actions, and attitudes. Encourage us when our faith is weak and when we fail to lead one another to Christ.
Make our home a true dwelling place of peace, joy, and love, where you are ever present among us. May we work to uphold each person’s dignity, integrity, and unique contributions to the well-being and growth of our family.
And when our time on earth is complete, bring us all safely home to you in the company of heaven.
Amen.
Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 6 – Holy Family Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, model for all Christian families, I entrust my family to your care and protection. Bless each member of my family. Help me and the members of my family to love, listen to, support, and accept one another.
Encourage us to challenge one another to be compassionate, merciful, and forgiving as we struggle with the difficulties of our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
Guide us to seek goodness and holiness in our everyday choices, actions, and attitudes. Encourage us when our faith is weak and when we fail to lead one another to Christ.
Make our home a true dwelling place of peace, joy, and love, where you are ever present among us. May we work to uphold each person’s dignity, integrity, and unique contributions to the well-being and growth of our family.
And when our time on earth is complete, bring us all safely home to you in the company of heaven.
Amen.
Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 7 – Holy Family Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, model for all Christian families, I entrust my family to your care and protection. Bless each member of my family. Help me and the members of my family to love, listen to, support, and accept one another.
Encourage us to challenge one another to be compassionate, merciful, and forgiving as we struggle with the difficulties of our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
Guide us to seek goodness and holiness in our everyday choices, actions, and attitudes. Encourage us when our faith is weak and when we fail to lead one another to Christ.
Make our home a true dwelling place of peace, joy, and love, where you are ever present among us. May we work to uphold each person’s dignity, integrity, and unique contributions to the well-being and growth of our family.
And when our time on earth is complete, bring us all safely home to you in the company of heaven.
Amen.
Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 8 – Holy Family Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, model for all Christian families, I entrust my family to your care and protection. Bless each member of my family. Help me and the members of my family to love, listen to, support, and accept one another.
Encourage us to challenge one another to be compassionate, merciful, and forgiving as we struggle with the difficulties of our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
Guide us to seek goodness and holiness in our everyday choices, actions, and attitudes. Encourage us when our faith is weak and when we fail to lead one another to Christ.
Make our home a true dwelling place of peace, joy, and love, where you are ever present among us. May we work to uphold each person’s dignity, integrity, and unique contributions to the well-being and growth of our family.
And when our time on earth is complete, bring us all safely home to you in the company of heaven.
Amen.
Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 9 – Holy Family Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, model for all Christian families, I entrust my family to your care and protection. Bless each member of my family. Help me and the members of my family to love, listen to, support, and accept one another.
Encourage us to challenge one another to be compassionate, merciful, and forgiving as we struggle with the difficulties of our lives.
(Mention your request here…)
Guide us to seek goodness and holiness in our everyday choices, actions, and attitudes. Encourage us when our faith is weak and when we fail to lead one another to Christ.
Make our home a true dwelling place of peace, joy, and love, where you are ever present among us. May we work to uphold each person’s dignity, integrity, and unique contributions to the well-being and growth of our family.
And when our time on earth is complete, bring us all safely home to you in the company of heaven.
Amen.
Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father…
Say 1: Hail Mary…
Say 1: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…