Today is the feast of the Holy Family. Here is the Immaculate Heart of Mary Schola joined by a few of the monks of Papa Stronsay singing Vespers of this feast day in 2019. You can follow with this booklet. The hymn at 18.02 is particularly beautiful.
The collect of the feast is a mission statement for every family:
COLLECT O Lord Jesus Christ, You sanctified home life with untold virtues by being subject to Mary and Joseph. May they assist us to imitate the example of Your Holy Family, so that we may share with them their eternal happiness; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .
8. Iesu, tibi sit gloria, Qui sceptra mundi temperas, Cum Patr(e) et almo Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula. Amen.
V. Multiplicabitur eius imperium. R. Et pacis non erit finis.
1. Thou, Prince of all ages, Thou, O Christ, the King of the nations, we acknowledge Thee the one Judge of all hearts and minds.
2. The wicked mob screams out. “We don’t want Christ as king,” While we, with shouts of joy, hail Thee as the world’s supreme King.
3. O Christ, peace-bringing Prince, subjugate the rebellious minds: And in Thy love, bring together in one flock those going astray.
4. For this, with arms outstretched, Thou hung, bleeding, on the Cross, and the cruel spear that pierced Thee, showed man a Heart burning with love.
5. For this, Thou art hidden on our altars under the form of bread and wine, and pour out on Thy children from Thy pierced side the grace of salvation.
6. May the rulers of the world publicly honour and extol Thee; May teachers and judges reverence Thee; May the laws express Thine order and the arts reflect Thy beauty.
7. May kings find renown in their submission and dedication to Thee. Bring under Thy gentle rule our country and our homes.
8. Glory be to Thee, O Jesus, supreme over all secular authorities; And glory be to the Father and the loving Spirit through endless ages.
V. His empire shall be multiplied. R. And there shall be no end of peace
A Plenary Indulgence is available today. Click here for details.
For more information on this feast, see the below encyclical in which Pope Pius XI instituted it.
Vespers and Benediction are a perfect opportunity to continue our thanksgiving after Mass in the morning and to participate in more of the liturgical prayer of the Church.
For what to expect, click here. For insights into the connection between Mass and Vespers click here.
To whet your appetite, here is the hymn for Vespers on Sundays after Epiphany and after Pentecost, Lucis Creator Optime. Written by Pope St Gregory the Great in the second half of the 6th century, this hymn speaks of the first day of creation with the Vespers hymns for the rest of the week following likewise.
One of the most astounding elements of the Catholic faith, for me, is Biblical Typology. As a protestant who knew all of the stories and little of the meaning, discovering this, particularly in praying the psalms, added to the veracity of the Catholic Church’s claims to be the One True Church, the new Israel.
