The Feast of the Holy Family celebrates Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as a model for all families. It emphasizes themes of love, obedience, and respect within the family unit. It encourages us to reflect on the importance of family bonds and the virtues that strengthen them. The readings for this feast highlight the faithfulness and challenges faced by the Holy Family, inspiring us to nurture similar virtues in our own families, such as patience, forgiveness, and mutual support.
The Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s. If Christmas falls on a Sunday, it is celebrated on December 30 with only one reading before the Gospel..
Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, games, lesson plans, and more. See how to determine the correct year.
Feast of the Holy Family Year A
Feast of the Holy Family Year B
Feast of the Holy Family Year C
Mass Readings for the Feast of the Holy Family Year A
See resources, homilies, and more for the Feast of the Holy Family Year A readings here.
- First Reading – Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14: God values honoring one’s parents. Respecting them brings many blessings, including answered prayers, long life, and comfort for mothers. Care for aging parents kindly and patiently.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 128: Respecting and following the Lord leads to personal blessings, a prosperous family, and a long, fulfilling life observing Jerusalem’s success.
- Second Reading – Colossians 3:12-22: Adopt virtues like compassion and kindness, forgive each other, and let Christ’s peace and message guide you. Act in all things with gratitude in the name of Jesus.
- Gospel – Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23: Joseph, following angelic directions in dreams, fled with Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod’s threat, returned to Israel after Herod’s death, and settled in Nazareth as foretold by prophets.
Mass Readings for the Feast of the Holy Family Year B
See resources, homilies, and more for the Feast of the Holy Family Year B readings here.
- First Reading – Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14: God honors the authority of parents. Respecting one’s father and mother brings blessings, atonement for sins, and longevity. Caring for aging parents is a lasting act of kindness.
- Alternate First Reading – Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3: God promises Abram a great reward, assuring him his own descendants will be numerous as stars. Abram’s faith is counted as righteousness, and Sarah bears him a son, Isaac, as promised.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 128: Those who revere the Lord and follow His ways are blessed. They will prosper in their work, have a fruitful family, and witness Jerusalem’s prosperity throughout their lives.
- Alternate Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 105: Thank the Lord and declare His deeds. Rejoice in seeking Him, remembering He is our God, whose just rule extends worldwide. He forever upholds His covenant with Abraham and Isaac.
- Second Reading – Colossians 3:12-21: As God’s chosen, embrace compassion, kindness, humility, and patience. Forgive as the Lord forgave you and let Christ’s peace rule your heart. In all things, act with thankfulness to God.
- Alternate Second Reading – Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19: Abraham’s faith led him to unknown lands and enabled him to father descendants despite old age and Sarah’s sterility. His faith was tested when he offered Isaac, trusting in God’s promise.
- Gospel – Luke 2:22-40: Joseph and Mary presented Jesus at the temple, fulfilling the law. Simeon, guided by the Holy Spirit, recognized Jesus as the Messiah, prophesying His impact and Mary’s future sorrow. The prophetess Anna also acknowledged Jesus, praising God and speaking of Him to those awaiting Jerusalem’s redemption. Afterward, they returned to Nazareth, where Jesus grew strong and wise, with God’s favor.
Daily Mass Readings for the Feast of the Holy Family Year C
See resources, homilies, and more for the Feast of the Holy Family Year C readings here.
- First Reading – Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14: Respect and care for parents brings spiritual and personal benefits, including answered prayers and a long life.
- Alternate First Reading – 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28: Hannah gave birth to Samuel after praying for a child. She dedicated him to the LORD at the temple in Shiloh once he was weaned.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 128: Honoring and following the Lord’s ways brings happiness, prosperity in one’s work, a fruitful family, and a blessed life.
- Alternate Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 84: My soul longs for the LORD’s sanctuary, finding joy and strength there. Those who live in God’s house are continually blessed and praise Him.
- Second Reading – Colossians 3:12-21: Embrace virtues like compassion and kindness, forgive each other, and let Christ’s peace rule your hearts. Teach, advise, and sing with gratitude, doing all in Jesus’ name.
- Alternate Second Reading – 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24: We are God’s children, loved deeply by Him. We remain in Him by obeying His command to believe in Jesus and love one another, confirmed by His Spirit within us.
- Gospel – Luke 2:41-52: At twelve, Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem during Passover to discuss scripture with temple teachers, astounding many with his understanding, before returning home obediently.
More About Lectionary Cycles
A Bible is a collection of all sacred scriptures, while a Lectionary selects specific Bible readings for Mass. The Lectionary organizes these readings to reflect the liturgical year, helping us connect with events like the Feast of the Holy Family. It uses translations approved by the Catholic Church to ensure clarity and consistency in worship. For more on how the Lectionary is structured and its translations, visit this resource from the USCCB. This will help you understand how specific Bible passages are chosen for Mass each Sunday.
The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.
- 2024 is Year B
- 2025 is Year C
- 2026 is Year A
- 2027 is Year B
- 2028 is Year C
- 2029 is Year A
- 2030 is Year B
- 2031 is Year C
- … and so on
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