The Holy Family
The Holy Family consists of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and this feast honours their life together, beginning in Bethlehem and then moving to Nazareth, Egypt and back to Nazareth.
The church has chosen to commemorate their family life as a model for all Christian families.
The feast recognizes the humility of Jesus, Mary’s virtue and Joseph’s steadfastness, along with the obedience of all three to God’s plan for them in salvation history.
Traditionally celebrated in January, the feast has been celebrated since the Second Vatican Council on the first Sunday after Christmas.
If there is no Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s Day, it is celebrated Dec. 30.
Text: Catholic News Service,
Image: Holy Family by Claudio Coello, second half of 17th century/Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain