The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Feast Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 (17) Pss Prop.

*The Holy Family – Honthorst.

This beautiful image by G. Honthorst shows the Virgin Mary and Child Jesus both smiling at the viewer of the artwork. The light falls across the faces of Mother and Son. St. Joseph sits nearby in the shadow, but the smile on his face as he gazes down at the Divine Child is evident.

**The Holy Family consists of the Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. The subject became popular in art from the 1490s on, but veneration of the Holy Family was formally begun in the 17th century by Saint François de Laval, the first bishop of New France, who founded a confraternity. The Feast of the Holy Family is a liturgical celebration in the Catholic Church, as well as in many Lutheran and Anglican churches, in honor of Jesus, His mother, and his legal father, Saint Joseph, as a family; it has been observed since 1921 when it was inserted by Pope Benedict XV. The primary purpose of this feast is to present the Holy Family as a model for Christian families. There are many churches dedicated to the Holy Family.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Family

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.”  

Lk 1:46–49