Almighty and all Loving God, in the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph you give us a model and example of family life. In return we commend our families and our households to your holy guidance. We commit all to your love and keeping. Fill our homes with your blessings even as you filled the holy House of Nazareth with your presence.

Shine your light upon our families today. Give us strength to overcome the difficulties that we face. Protect us against any and all problems we may encounter in future days. Lord, please bring us together in love and peace as we are meant to be. May the love that binds us only grow stronger as we fulfill the path and desires You have laid out before each of us.

Lord, protect and watch over all families so that in the strength of your grace they may enjoy prosperity, possess the gift of your peace, and bear witness to your goodness, care and guidance. So may each Christian family really become a “little Church” in which love, respect and the guidance of the Holy Spirit abounds.

• Fr.  Peter Schineller, SJ