EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (# 5)
A Weekly Pastoral Tool for the YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST
Feast of the Holy Family, Year A
Dec. 26, 2004 – Jan. 1, 2005
“The Holy Family of Nazareth”
(+) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(A moment of silence)
SONG: Any suitable Eucharistic hymn or Christmas song may be sung.
WORDS OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
(From Pope John Paul II’s Angelus Message, December 29, 2002)
The liturgy of this Sunday invites us to contemplate the Holy Family of Nazareth, a wonderful model of human and supernatural virtues for all Christian families … How I would like the peace, harmony and love of the house in Nazareth to exist in families today! I ask the Lord with insistent prayer to make all Christian parents conscious of their irreplaceable task with regard to their children and society. A true and effective Gospel witness is expected of them. Every Christian family is called to show convincingly that it is possible to live marriage in keeping with God’s plan and with the true good of the human person – of the spouses, and of the children who are more fragile. A united family that follows these principles will more easily overcome the trials and difficulties it encounters on its way. In the faithful love of the parents, a gift ceaselessly to foster and safeguard, children can find the best conditions for their growth, helped by Jesus who “increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man” (Lk 2:52). Today let us entrust to the Holy Family of Nazareth the families of the whole world, especially those that have been most harshly tried by suffering or are in difficulty.
SILENT ADORATION AND PRAYER
OPENING PRAYER
(From the Holy Father’s Christmas message, “Urbi et Orbi”, December 25, 2002)
Leader: Adorable mystery of the Incarnate Word! Together with you, O Virgin Mother, may we stop and reflect at the manger where the Child lies, to share your own amazement at the immense “condescension” of God. Grant us your own eyes, O Mary, that we may understand the mystery hidden within the frail limbs of your Son. Teach us to recognize his face in the children of every race and culture. Help us to be credible witnesses of his message of peace and love, so that the men and women of our own time, still torn by conflicts and unspeakable violence, may also recognize in the Child cradled in your arms the one Savior of the world, the endless source of that true peace for which every heart profoundly yearns. “Natus est nobis, Salvatur mundi.” // “Unto us is born, the Savior of the world.” He lives and reigns forever and ever.
Assembly: Amen.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
GOSPEL READING: Mt 2:13-15, 19-23
PERSONAL REFLECTION
(As a tool for personal reflection, please visit the PDDM Website: www.pddm.org // www.pddm.us for BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD (# 5): A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy. The Biblico-Liturgical Reflections are an aid for a deeper understanding of the Gospel reading.)
SONG: Any Christmas hymn or suitable song of praise may be sung.
Part II
JESUS MASTER WAY
Confrontation with the Word
POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
Leader: What is important to note on this feast day is that the peace of family living does not exclude hardships, vicissitudes and trials. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph experienced all these, but they put their trust in the providential God. In light of the Gospel we have heard, let us now examine our hearts with regard to our faith in the saving hand of God who leads and guides us, especially in moments of trial and difficulties.
1. When confronted with family crisis and difficulties, do we trust that the Prince of Peace is in our midst to heal and strengthen us, and to transform our Christian family more and more into a community of love, life and grace?
2. Like St. Joseph, are we ready to respond to the faith commands: “Flee to Egypt” and “Go to the land of Israel” which providentially come to us, especially in various crisis situations?
3. Do we look up to the Holy Family as a model of Christian life and community, and of trust in Divine Providence?
PENITENTIAL PRAYER
Leader: For our lack of trust in Divine Providence when our families are beset with difficulties, anxieties and vicissitudes: Lord, have mercy.
Assembly: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For not allowing you, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the Messiah-liberator of the new people of God to guide our family life: Christ, have mercy.
Assembly: Christ, have mercy.
Leader: For not allowing the Christmas mystery of joy, love and peace that is your gift to touch our hearts, and for our failure to radiate this saving mystery to the members of the great family of God and his beloved creation: Lord, have mercy.
Assembly: Lord, have mercy.
SONG: Any suitable song may be sung.
Part III
JESUS LIFE
Acting upon the Word
WORDS OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
(From the Holy Father’s Christmas message, “Urbi et Orbi”, December 25, 2002)
Christmas is a mystery of peace! From the cave of Bethlehem there rises today an urgent appeal to the world not to yield to mistrust, suspicion and discouragement, even though the tragic reality of terrorism feeds uncertainties and fears. Believers of all religions, together with men and women of good will, by outlawing all forms of intolerance and discrimination, are called to build peace:
- in the Holy Land, above all, to put an end once and for all to the senseless spiral of blind violence;
- and in the Middle East, to extinguish the ominous smoldering of a conflict which, with the joint efforts of all, can be resolved;
- in Africa too, where devastating famines and tragic internal conflicts are aggravating the already precarious conditions of entire peoples, although here and there signs of hope are present;
- in Latin America, in Asia, in other parts of the world, where political, economic and social crises disturb the serenity of many families and nations.
May humanity accept the Christmas message of peace!
PERSONAL PRAYER
CONTEMPLATING WITH MARY THE FACE OF CHRIST: The Mysteries of the Rosary may be prayed in part or in full.
THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
Leader: Our loving Father in heaven desires that families be communities of love, life and grace modeled upon the Holy Family of Nazareth. To him who is the source of all blessings and grace, we pray:
(R.) LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
1. That families suffering from hunger and material deprivations may find hope in their misery, and the necessary help for their basic needs: we invoke the Lord: (R.)
2. That rich families may understand that they are only stewards of the wealth given to them and that it is a duty to share this wealth with the needy: we invoke the Lord: (R.)
3. That parents may always be sensitive to the needs of their children in all aspects of their lives and help them grow as mature persons and children of God: we invoke the Lord: (R.)
4. That children may always perceive the good intentions that parents always have for them: we pray: (R.)
5. That our families and all Christian families may be transformed more and more into a community of love, life and grace: we invoke the Lord: (R.)
6. That the members of the Holy Family Institute, founded by Blessed James Alberione, may be strengthened in their commitment to live radically their baptismal consecration and fulfill their apostolic desire to give Jesus Master, the Way-Truth-Life to the world. (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: God of love and Father of all,
the darkness that covered the earth has given way
to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh.
Make us people of this light.
Make us faithful to your word
that we may bring your life to the waiting world.
May we delight forever
that we are united together as one family
in your Son Jesus Christ, your Word of love to us,
who lives forever and ever.
Assembly: Amen.
FINAL SONG: Any suitable Eucharistic hymn or Christmas song may be sung.
P
Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang PDDM
PIAE DISCIPULAE DIVINI MAGISTRI
SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER
60 Sunset Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. (718) 494-8597 // (718) 761-2323
Website: WWW.PDDM.US