St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church
3131 El Dorado Blvd, Houston, TX 77059
(281) 286-7729
PLEASE NOTE: We will never solicit money or gift cards for staff or clergy via email or text. Please notify the Parish Office of any suspicious communications.
Consecration to the Holy Family
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Strengthen Your Family Spirituality
The St. Clare Knights of Columbus Council will assist our Pastor, Fr. Vincent, in conducting a Consecration to the Holy Family for our parish families on Sunday, December 28 during the 11 am Mass, in honor of the Feast of the Holy Family. We invite every family of our parish to engage in the Consecration to the Holy Family! It is our hope that this process may help strengthen our families and to devote ourselves to the ideal model of familial love set by Jesus, Mary and Joseph. -
About the ConsecrationTo help families live out the joy of Christ, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori has composed a prayer through which families will come together to consecrate themselves under the protection of the Holy Family. In this prayer, we ask for the aid or intercession of the perfect son Jesus Christ, Mary the perfect mother, and Joseph who is a model for every father. Councils will guide their parishes and community to understand and offer this important and impactful prayer. Preparing for the Consecration to the Holy Family is not a single event. It is choosing a way of life for your family. Through this consecration, each participant is consciously choosing to be a beacon of God’s love through His Church.
The word consecration literally means "association with the sacred,” and as such it requires a much larger commitment than simply reciting a prayer off of a card. To receive the full benefit of intercession from the Holy Family, one must cleanse the body, mind and soul.
The decision to consecrate your family needs to be intentional and a process through which you completely surrender to God through the Holy Family. You are accepting the truth that salvation history was changed forever by a family, and that through your domestic church, you are called to live their example.Consecration to the Holy Family at St. Clare
At St. Clare, we invite all families to consecrate themselves to the Holy Family during the 11 am Mass on Sunday, Dec. 28 as it is tradition to be celebrated on the first Sunday after Christmas in conjunction with the feast of the Holy Family. This feast day is meant to bring us closer to the Holy Family. Their example of love and sacrifice can even inspire families to grow closer and build stronger relationships through prayer.
This will consist of families... TBD. Following the Mass, we will host a reception in the Parish Family Life Center.
On Sunday, Dec. 14 after the 9 am Mass, we will have an informational meeting about the Consecration to discuss what it is and provide resources to help families strengthen their spirituality leading up to the Consecration. We do ask those who wish to participate to notify the Knights of Columbus no later than TBD.
Please Note: This consecration can and should be celebrated every year as an opportunity both for new parishioners to participate in the consecration and for those who have already participated to reconsecrate themselves to the Holy Family. -
How to PrepareIn preparation for a Consecration to the Holy Family, your family should not only decide to dedicate itself to the Holy Family’s intercession but also acknowledge that the family is sacred. The decision to consecrate your family needs to be intentional and a process through which you completely surrender to God through the Holy Family. You are accepting the truth that salvation history was changed forever by a family, and that through your domestic church, you are called to live their example.
Some Steps You Can Follow
- Discuss the importance of this consecration as a family and why you are doing it.
- Each member of your family is strongly encouraged to go to the sacrament of reconciliation.
- As a family, intentionally choose something to fast from. The fast can be for at least a week. As our physical bodies are drawn to things of the world, it is strongly encouraged that you fast from something that you would normally do or consume. Fasting helps to discipline our minds and hearts to refrain from secular activities and be more focused on God.
- Prepare for the commitment you are making. Consecration to the Holy Family is not a single event. You have chosen a way of life for your family. You and your family are consciously choosing to be a beacon of light of God’s love through his Church.
Holy Family Novena
This novena, typically recited for nine consecutive days leading up to the feast day of the Holy Family (start date is Dec. 19), encourages us to ask for their intercession to increase our virtues of humility, obedience, and compassion.It’s a great occasion to reflect on the ways that our own families can better model after the Holy Family. For mothers, how can you grow more in humility and love to resemble the heart of Our Lady? For fathers, how can you learn from St. Joseph regarding the virtues of self-sacrifice and courage?How can we all honor our earthly parents and grandparents like Christ honored His Father? This novena will help you ponder on these questions and inspire peace in your family life. -
Consecration to the Holy Family PrayerO Lord Jesus, you lived in the home of Mary and Joseph in Nazareth. There you grew in age, wisdom and grace as you prepared to fulfill your mission as our Redeemer.
We entrust our family to you.
O Blessed Mary, you are the Mother of our Savior. At Nazareth you cared for Jesus and nurtured him in the peace and joy of your home.
We entrust our family to you.
O Saint Joseph, you provided a secure and loving home for Jesus and Mary, and gave us a model of fatherhood while showing us the dignity of work.
We entrust our family to you.
Holy Family, we consecrate ourselves and our family to you. May we be completely united in a love that is lasting, faithful and open to the gift of new life. Help us to grow in virtue, to forgive one another from our hearts, and to live in peace all our days. Keep us strong in faith, persevering in prayer, diligent in our work, and generous toward those in need. May our home, O Holy Family, truly become a domestic church where we reflect your example in our daily life. Amen.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!