Dear Friends, 

In 1921 Pope Benedict XV formally inserted the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph into the Universal Calendar of the Church.

He did this to present the Holy Family, Joseph, Mary and Jesus, as the model and exemplar of all Christian families.

God almighty created the family so each of its members could help the other members grow in holiness, and to live saintly lives on earth – so to live eternally with God in His heavenly kingdom.

Sometimes this is hard, tiring work. There is no other way to put it. Still, it is worth every pain and sacrifice. Pope Francis speaks realistically about these challenges stating, “I prefer a family with a tired face from sacrifices made rather than a pretty one which is unfamiliar with tenderness and compassion . . . I prefer a family that tries over and over again, to a family and a society that is narcissistic and obsessed with luxury and comfort. The family is ‘a factory of hope,’ of hope of life and of resurrection. There are difficulties, but these difficulties are overcome with love.”

We are all sinners, and we can “miss the mark” in helping our family members on their way to sainthood! Still, we must rise up and ask for the Lord’s help to begin again every day.

On the days we feel defeated, we will do well to remember the words of St. Frances De Sales:

May the Good Lord bless and keep all of our families in His tender love and care.