The Feast of the Holy Family
Introit
Proverbs 23:24,25
The father of the Just rejoiceth greatly, let Thy father and Thy mother be joyful, and let her rejoice that bore Thee. Ps. How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts; my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. V. Glory be to the Father.
Collect
O Lord Jesus Christ, who when Thou wast subject to Mary and Joseph didst sanctify the home life with ineffable virtues: grant that by their assistance, we may be instructed by the example of Thy Holy Family and become partakers of their eternal happiness: Who livest and reignest.
Epistle
Colossians 3:12-17
Brethren: Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience: bearing with one another and forgiving one another if any have a complaint against another. Even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.
Gradual
Psalm 26:4; 83:5
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. Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, O Lord, they shall praise Thee for ever and ever.
Alleluia
Isaias 45:15
Alleluia, alleluia. V. Verily, Thou art a hidden God, the God of Israel, the Saviour. Alleluia.
Gospel
Luke 2:42-52
When Jesus 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 His kinsfolk 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.
Offertory
Luke 2:22
The parents of Jesus carried Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.
Secret
We offer to Thee, O Lord, this sacrifice of propitiation, humbly entreating that through the intercession of the virgin Mother of God and blessed Joseph, Thou wouldst firmly establish our families in Thy peace and grace. Through the same our Lord.
Communion
Luke 2:51
Jesus went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them.
Postcommunion
Make us, O Lord Jesus, whom Thou dost refresh with Thy heavenly sacraments, ever to follow the example of Thy holy Family, that at the hour of our death the glorious Virgin Mother and blessed Joseph may be near us, and we be found worthy to be received by Thee into Thy eternal dwellings. Who livest and reignest.