February is known for romance, which makes it the perfect month to honor the marriage between the Holy Mother of God and her Most Chaste Spouse: Sts. Mary and Joseph. 

Their love and devotion to each other and their Divine Son is the greatest example of obedience, purity, respect, and faith.

As the popular devotional month of the Holy Family begins, let’s learn the history of the devotion, why it matters, and how to honor it. 

Origins of the Devotion to the Holy Family

In the 17th century, devotion to the Holy Family took root in Montreal and Paris and spread until Pope Leo XIII formally established the Holy Family Association in 1892. Pope Benedict XV established the feast of the Holy Family in 1921.

A fitting reason the devotion falls in February is because the Feast of the Purification (or Presentation) is the first major feast of the month. On February 2, we celebrate the Holy Family’s trip to the temple, when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the temple in accordance with Jewish law. 

Their humble submission, simple offering of two turtledoves, and total acceptance of the suffering that they were to endure when Jesus came of age make them the ideal role model for every family. 

The Importance of the Holy Family Today

It’s not always easy to get along as a family and live out your role within the family in a way that honors God. The Holy Family’s example gives mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, and children the perfect model to follow.

• The Child Jesus always obeyed His parents and humbled Himself to them. Even though He was God, He respected His role in the family and submitted to Mary and Joseph. He shows children how to obey and respect their parents. 
• The Blessed Virgin was the ideal wife and mother. She was higher in God's eyes than Joseph, yet she put herself under his authority and gave him the utmost respect. When God told her she would be the mother of God made Man, Mary humbly accepted and devoted her life to Jesus. She sacrificed her own comfort and convenience for Him. 
• St. Joseph respected and protected Mary’s perpetual virginity and raised a child that wasn’t biologically his. He completely obeyed and trusted God, leading his family as God commanded. Being Jesus’ foster father and the Virgin’s husband was a tall task, but he fulfilled the role perfectly.

Devotion to the Holy Family shows us the path to holiness and gives us an example to follow. 

And it doesn't just mean admiration. This devotion is meant to be lived. 

Learning Holiness from Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

This February, try honoring the devotion to the Holy Family through prayer, meditation, or acts of virtue.

1. Consecrate your family to the Holy Family. There is a Consecration to the Holy Family you can say together.

2. Pray the Rosary together. Meditate on the life of Jesus and His parents through the holy mysteries, especially the Joyful Mysteries.

3. Read Scripture stories about the Holy Family. Familiarize yourself with stories like The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20), The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15), or The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52).

4. Practice virtue in your home. Like the Holy Family, strive to be obedient, respectful, hardworking, humble, and to honor God in all things. Make Jesus, Mary, or Joseph your role model depending on your place in your family.

5. Pray for your family. Ask God to strengthen and protect your family and lead them to sainthood.

Living Devotion to the Holy Family

We are fortunate that God sent us the Holy Family as an example of how we should live our lives. Not everyone has holy role models on earth, but we can all turn to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in heaven. 

They are the highest standard of perfection in a family, each performing their part to make their home run smoothly.  We often think of their sanctity, but it’s harder to picture the normalcy of Jesus’ childhood and to remember that they had the same dynamic we all do with our own families! Jesus sat down to dinner with His parents and worked in His father's shop.

Holiness begins in ordinary daily family life, so let's try to imitate this Holy Family in virtue. Next time you resist your parents, struggle to get along with a sibling, or get angry at your child, remember Jesus’ perfect obedience, Mary’s gentle devotion, and Joseph’s firm but loving leadership. 

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, we love you, save souls.