# Praying the Rosary of the Holy Family of Nazareth
*2015-06-13*

> Bill Young leads a prayerful meditation on the Holy Family, using a rosary format that honors Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and asks for God’s blessing on our own families.

## Opening and Context

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today, June 14,{2023}, we celebrate the feast of St. Albert the Great. Before we begin our special prayer, I want to remind us that the Holy Family of Nazareth is the model for ordinary Christian life. Nazareth is the “school of the Gospel,” where we learn silence, humility, and the dignity of daily work.

Let us ask God’s help: “Lord, come to my aid. Make haste to help me. May the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with us now and forever.”

## The Apostles’ Creed

We begin with the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth… I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord… He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell, rose again on the third day, and now sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.”

## First Mystery – The Holy Family’s Work

We reflect on the mystery of the Holy Family’s mission: God sent His Son, born of a virgin, to redeem humanity. Unlike Adam and Eve, Mary and Joseph bring forth holiness. Their marriage sanctifies the family as a “cradle of life.”

Our prayer: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”

Then we repeat the family hymn ten times, each iteration beginning, “Hail, O family of Nazareth, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you are blessed by God, and blessed is the Son of God, Jesus, who was born in you. Holy Family of Nazareth, we consecrate ourselves to you; guide and sustain our families, and keep them faithful in love. Amen.”

## Second Mystery – The Nativity

We recall the angel’s proclamation to the shepherds: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy—a Savior has been born in Bethlehem, the Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10‑14) The Holy Family’s humble birth invites us to love Jesus above all.

We pray the Our Father again, followed by the same family hymn.

“Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”

## Third Mystery – The Flight into Egypt

An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, warning him to flee to Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus to escape Herod’s wrath (Matt 2:13‑15). This exile mirrors Israel’s own journey from slavery to the promised land, showing Joseph’s role as protector.

We pray the Our Father, then repeat the family hymn, and conclude with the Trinitarian doxology.

“Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”

## Fourth Mystery – Return to Nazareth

After Herod’s death, the angel again tells Joseph to return to Israel. The Holy Family settles in Nazareth, where Jesus grows in wisdom and stature under the loving guidance of Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:51‑52). Their home becomes a place of prayer and obedience.

We pray the Our Father, repeat the family hymn, and finish with the same Trinitarian praise.

“Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”

## Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, enlighten us, come to our aid, and save us. Amen.

*May the example of the Holy Family inspire us to build homes of love, prayer, and obedience.*