Consecration to the Holy Family

Salvation is not an individual action. Christ offered salvation to all mankind through His Death and Resurrection; and we work out our salvation together with those around us, especially our family.

In this prayer, we consecrate our family to the Holy Family, and ask the aid of Christ, Who was the perfect Son; Mary, who was the perfect mother; and Joseph, who, as foster father of Christ, sets the example for all fathers. Through their intercession, we hope that our entire family may be saved.

This is the ideal prayer to begin February, the Month of the Holy Family; but we should also recite it frequently—perhaps once per month—as a family.

Consecration to the Holy Family

O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home in Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou defend us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace, and concord in Christian love: in order that, by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Thy family, we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.
Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by thy kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.
O Saint Joseph, most holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (three times each).

An Explanation of the Consecration to the Holy Family

When Jesus came  to save mankind, He was born into a family. Even though He was truly God, He submitted Himself to the authority of His mother and His foster father, thus setting an example for all of us on how to be good children. We offer our family to Christ, and ask Him to help us to imitate the Holy Family so that, as a family, we can all enter Heaven. And we ask Mary and Joseph to pray for us.

Definition of Words Used in the Consecration to the Holy Family

Redeemer: one who saves; in this case, the One Who saves us all from our sins

Humility: humbleness

Subjection: being under the control of someone else

Sanctifying: making something or someone holy

Consecrates: devoting oneself; in this case, devoting one's family to Christ

Fear: in this case, the fear of the Lord, which is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; a desire not to offend God

Concord: harmony among a group of people; in this case, harmony among family members

Conforming: following a pattern; in this case, the pattern of the Holy Family

Attain: to reach or gain something

Intercession: intervening on behalf of someone else

Temporal: concerning time and this world, rather than the next

Necessities: things we need