World Day of Prayer for Family Life

“Let us make this journey as families, let us keep walking together. What we have been promised is greater than we can imagine. May we never lose heart because of our limitations, or ever stop seeking that fullness of love and communion which God holds out before us.”  Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia (On Love in the Family), 325.

Prayer to the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendour of true love;
to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer,
authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again experience
violence, rejection and division;
may all who have been hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
graciously hear our prayer.

Amen.

Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia- The Joy of Love, 2016

To become like you

Lord Jesus, we give thanks for our family.

We pray that you will continue to

protect and guide our children as they

make their way through life

With all its challenges and blessings.

May they understand and live by

Your example, your teachings and your values.

As you love and forgive, help them

to love and forgive.

May they, like you, be merciful and kind.

May they see God’s grace all around them,

protect the weak and the vulnerable,

and always find shelter in

the mercy and love of your Church.

Paul Basham

Every Blessing

Jesus, when you blessed little children

You also blessed every adult,

for childhood is not in our past

but is the pure state we carry in us,

still connected to our Source.

And so, Jesus, we ask you to bless us.

Bless the vision of the lovely heart

that sees the world as fresh and beautiful.

Bless the trust that neither judges no condemns.

Bless the quick sense of awe and wonder

that opens us up wider than wide.

Bless the lack of fear that makes space for love.

Bless the lightness of foot, the rhythm of dance

and the music of every present moment.

Bless the laughter that rings in us like birdsong.

Bless our softness of touch and wetness of eyes.

Above all, bless our childlike curiosity,

for it is seeking that brings us full circle

to the joyous freedom of simplicity.

And in that freedom, oh Jesus, bless us

With the sweetness of rest in you.

Joy Cowley

‘To become like you’ and ‘Every Blessing’ from “There is a time for … - A family companion for every season”, compiled and edited by James B. Lyons, 2016

Pope Francis has suggested these three key words for a happy marriage:

Please             Thanks            Sorry

Create a prayer with your family using these key words. For example:

You                  Loving God,

Who                Abide in our family through all the ups and downs of living together.        

Do                   Help us to remember the meaningful words of please, thanks and sorry as we relate to each other    over the weeks ahead.

Through          We ask you this in the name of Jesus our brother. Amen.

Official prayer for the X World Meeting of Families, 22-26 June 2022:

Family Love: Vocation and Path to Holiness. HERE

“I thank God that many families, which are far from considering themselves perfect, live in love, fulfil their calling and keep moving forward, even if they fall many times along the way. The Synod’s reflections show us that there is no stereotype of the ideal family, but rather a challenging mosaic made up of many different realities, with all their joys, hopes and problems.”

Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia (On Love in the Family), 57.