In January, the Catholic Church celebrated the Month of the Holy Name of Jesus; and in February, we turn to the entire Holy Family--Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
In sending His Son to earth as a Baby, born into a family, God elevated the family beyond a mere natural institution. Our own family life reflects that lived by Christ, in obedience to His mother and foster father. Both as children and as parents, we can take comfort in the fact that we have the perfect model of the family before us in the Holy Family.
One commendable practice for the month of February is a Consecration to the Holy Family. If you have a prayer corner or a home altar, you can gather the entire family and recite the consecration prayer, which reminds us that we aren't saved individually. We all work out our salvation in conjunction with others--first and foremost, together with the other members of our family. (If you don't have a prayer corner, your dining room table will suffice.)
There's no need to wait until next February to repeat the consecration: It's a good prayer for your family to pray every month. And be sure to check out these other Prayers for February: The Month of the Holy Family and make them a part of your daily prayer life this month.
(Icon of the Holy Family in the Adoration Chapel, St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Decatur, GA. Photo © flickr user andycoan; licensed under CC BY 2.0)
Very good prayer suggestion especially in our family unfriendly era.
Scott, This is such a lovely idea that I believe we were encouraged to do as children. I’ve set up a little shrine in the kitchen, the heart of the home.