Families today face many struggles, both through cultural pressure and through the personal struggles that accompany family life. Despite these struggles — and partly as a result of conquering them — families have great capacity for love and joy, a joy that is strengthened through the peace and truth found in Christ. To assist families in living out this joy of Christ, Knights of Columbus Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori has composed a prayer through which families may come together to consecrate themselves under the protection of the Holy Family.
The word consecration literally means “association with the sacred”, and as such it requires a much larger commitment than simply reciting a prayer off of a card. Four suggested steps of preparation the week before praying the Consecration to the Holy Family:
1 – Discuss the importance of this consecration as a family and why you are doing it.
2 – Each member of your family is strongly encouraged to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.
3 – As a family, intentionally choose something to fast from. The fast can be for at least a week. As our physical bodies are drawn to things of the world, it is strongly encouraged that you fast from something that you would normally do or consume. Fasting helps to discipline our minds and hearts to refrain from secular activities and be more focused on God.
4 – Prepare for the commitment you are making. Consecration to the Holy Family is not a single event. You have chosen a way of life for your family. You and your family are consciously choosing to be a beacon of light of God’s love
We invite every family of our parish to engage in the Consecration to the Holy Family prayer after all masses the weekend of August 15th – 16th what better time to celebrate than on the weekend of the Assumption of Mary