The unprecedented prayer of Pope Francis to ask for a grace

Jesus, Mary and Joseph

to you, Holy Family of Nazareth,

today, we turn our gaze

with admiration and confidence;

in you we contemplate

the beauty of communion in true love;

we recommend all our families to you,

so that the wonders of grace may be renewed in them.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

attractive school of the Holy Gospel:

teach us to imitate your virtues

with a wise spiritual discipline,

give us a clear look

who knows how to recognize the work of Providence

in the daily realities of life.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

faithful guardian of the mystery of salvation:

revive in us the esteem of silence,

make our families prayer suppers

and turn them into small domestic churches,

renew the desire for holiness,

support the noble effort of work, education,

listening, mutual understanding and forgiveness.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

awakens awareness in our society

of the sacred and inviolable character of the family,

priceless and irreplaceable good.

Let each family be a welcoming home of kindness and peace

for children and the elderly,

for those who are sick and alone,

for those who are poor and needy.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph

we confidently pray, we joyfully entrust ourselves to you.

(Prayer recited before the icon of the Holy Family

on the occasion of Family Day, 27 October 2013)