The Holy Family Chaplet is a devotional prayer for families who wish to entrust themselves to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and to imitate the virtues of the household of Nazareth. It is prayed on a beaded chaplet chain or on a rosary, beginning with an invocation of the Holy Spirit, followed by an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be, and continuing with ten repetitions of a prayer for families.
Its central meaning is a request that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph bless, guide, and protect families, while helping them grow in unity, prayerfulness, obedience, purity, faithful love, forgiveness, peace, and holiness. The chaplet also encourages families to make God the center of their hearts and homes and to look to the Holy Family of Nazareth as their model.
What the Holy Family Chaplet means
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is presented as a model of Christian family life. The home of Nazareth is the school where we begin to understand the life of Jesus-the school of the Gospel. First, then, a lesson of silence. May esteem for silence, that admirable and indispensable condition of mind, revive in us…A lesson on family life. May Nazareth teach us what family life is, its communion of love, its austere and simple beauty, and its sacred and inviolable character…A lesson of work. Nazareth, home of the Carpenter’s Son, in you I would choose to understand and proclaim the severe and redeeming law of human work.
The Holy Family models for us what family life should exemplify. It is a school of virtue for both parents and children. There we find God, and learn how to connect with God and with others. The family is where love is freely given without self-interest. It is where we learn to love, to pray and to practice the gift of charity.
The prayer asks for the unity, peace, and mutual love found in the family of Nazareth. It also asks that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass.
| Grace of the Holy Family | Meaning for family life |
|---|---|
| Model of Obedience | The Holy Family said, "Yes" to the will of God no matter the sacrifice. |
| Model of Prayerfulness | Joseph and Mary taught Jesus His prayers and prayed as a family. |
| Model of the Sanctity of Work | Work was a means of glorifying God rather than an end in itself. |
| Model of Purity and Chastity | Everyone in the Holy Family was pure in thought, word and deed. |
| Model of Love | The love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is unconditional and faithful. |
Who is prayed to in the chaplet?
Jesus
Jesus is invoked as the Son of God and Son of Mary. The family prayer asks Him to bless the household and to inspire in it the unity, peace, and mutual love that He found in His own family in the little town of Nazareth.
Mary
Mary is invoked as the Mother of Jesus and our Mother. The prayer asks her to nourish the family with her faith and love and to keep its members close to her Son in all their sorrows and joys.
Joseph
Joseph is invoked as the foster-father of Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary. The prayer asks him to keep the family safe from harm and to help in times of discouragement or anxiety.
The Holy Family of Nazareth
The Holy Family is asked to make each family one with it and to help family members become instruments of peace. The prayer also asks that the home become a real dwelling place of peace, joy, and love, where Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are ever present among them.
How to pray the Holy Family Chaplet
The chaplet is prayed using a beaded chaplet chain or a rosary in the following manner. Begin by seeking the presence of the Holy Spirit: “Come, Holy Spirit, renew my family in your love.”
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."
- Say one Our Father.
- Say one Hail Mary.
- Say one Glory Be.
- On each of the 10 beads, recall the particular intention you are praying for and say: “Mary, mother of faithful love; Joseph, gentle and humble man of God; Jesus, Son of Mary, Bless, Guide and protect the families you created.”
- Close with the prayer for families.
The opening prayers
Sign of the Cross
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."
Invocation of the Holy Spirit
“Come, Holy Spirit, renew my family in your love.”
Our Father
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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be
Glory be 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.
The prayer for each of the ten beads
On each of the 10 beads, say the following prayer after recalling the particular intention you are praying for:
Mary, mother of faithful love; Joseph, gentle and humble man of God; Jesus, Son of Mary, Bless, Guide and protect the families you created.
The ten beads may be offered for the needs of one’s own family, for another family, or for families facing sorrow, anxiety, conflict, weakness, or other trials. The prayer remains focused on blessing, guidance, protection, peace, and the growth of Christian love.
Closing prayer for families
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, model for all Christian families, I entrust my family to your care and protection. Bless each member of my family. Help me and the members of my family to love, listen to, support and accept one another.
Encourage us to challenge one another to be compassionate, merciful and forgiving as we struggle with the difficulties of our lives. Guide us to seek goodness and holiness in our everyday choices, actions and attitudes.
Encourage us when our faith is weak and when we fail to lead one another to Christ. Make our home a real dwelling place of peace, joy and love, where you are ever present among us.
May we work to uphold each one’s dignity, integrity and unique contributions to the well-being and growth of our family. And when our time on earth is complete, bring us all safely home to you in the company of heaven. Amen.
The five graces traditionally associated with the chaplet
First grace: Model of Obedience
The Holy Family said, "Yes" to the will of God no matter the sacrifice. May all families model the Holy Family's obedience to God's will.
Pray: "Our Father."
Then pray three times:
“Heart of Jesus, I adore. Heart of Mary, I implore. Heart of Joseph, holy, just. In these three hearts, I place my trust.”
Second grace: Model of Prayerfulness
As faithful Jews, Joseph and Mary taught Jesus His prayers and prayed as a family. May all families make prayer a priority.
Pray: "Our Father."
Then pray three times:
“Heart of Jesus, I adore. Heart of Mary, I implore. Heart of Joseph, holy, just. In these three hearts, I place my trust.”
Third grace: Model of the Sanctity of Work
By the work of their hands, the Holy Family earned their living: Joseph in the carpenter shop, Jesus at his side, Mary working in the home. Yet, work was never seen as an end but merely as a means of glorifying God. May all families embrace the sanctity of work.
Pray: "Our Father."
Then pray three times:
“Heart of Jesus, I adore. Heart of Mary, I implore. Heart of Joseph, holy, just. In these three hearts, I place my trust.”
Fourth grace: Model of Purity and Chastity
In the Holy Family, everyone was pure in thought, word and deed. Jesus is purity itself; Mary is the immaculate Virgin Mother; Joseph is the most chaste spouse. May all families embrace purity and chastity in their lives.
Pray: "Our Father."
Then pray three times:
“Heart of Jesus, I adore. Heart of Mary, I implore. Heart of Joseph, holy, just. In these three hearts, I place my trust.”
Fifth grace: Model of Love
The love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is unconditional and faithful. Without love, holiness of life is impossible. The Holy Family is perfect model of pure love, and like all love, it requires sacrifice. May all families love God above all else and show that sacrificial love to one another.
Pray: "Our Father."
Then pray three times:
“Heart of Jesus, I adore. Heart of Mary, I implore. Heart of Joseph, holy, just. In these three hearts, I place my trust.”
Additional closing invocation
“Holy Family of Nazareth, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all weaknesses and trials through which our family sometimes passes. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes, so that one day we may be happy and at peace in our true home with you. Amen.”
A prayer for the Holy Family
JESUS, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.
MARY, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.
JOSEPH, Foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.
HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass.
May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you. Amen.
Prayer in Honour of the Holy Family
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, being made subject to Mary and Joseph, didst sanctify home life with ineffable virtues: grant that, with the aid of both, we may be taught by the example of Thy Holy Family, and attain to eternal fellowship with them: Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.
A slightly different translation is:
Lord Jesus Christ, Who, being made subject to Mary and Joseph, didst consecrate domestic life by Thine ineffable virtues; grant that we, with the assistance of both, may be taught by the example of Thy Holy Family and may attain to its everlasting fellowship. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.
DOMINE Iesu Christe, qui Mariae et Ioseph subditus, domesticam vitam ineffabilibus virtutibus consecrasti: fac nos, utriusque auxilio, Familae sanctae tuae exemplis instrui et consortium consequi sempiternum: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Holy Family
O Jesus, our most loving Saviour! Thou Who wast sent down from Heaven to enlighten the world by Thy teaching and example, and Who didst will to pass the greater part of Thy holy life in Nazareth, subject to Mary and Joseph, and thereby didst hallow the household which was to be the pattern for all Christian families, do Thou in Thy goodness receive our household which this day consecrates itself to Thee.
Protect and guard us, strengthen us in Thy holy fear, establish in our hearts the peace and concord of Christian Charity, so that each one of us becoming like to the Divine model of Thy family, may be sharers of eternal joy.
O Mary, most loving Mother of Jesus Christ, our Mother, through thy love and mercy intercede, that Jesus receive this act of Consecration, and pour out upon us His graces and blessings.
O Joseph, most holy Guardian of Jesus and Mary, help us by thy prayers in all our necessities, both of body and soul; that together with the Blessed Virgin Mary and thyself we shall praise and thank Jesus Christ, our Divine Redeemer.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be three times.
Another version of the Act of Consecration
O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, Who didst come into the world to enlighten it by Thy teaching and by Thine example, and Who didst will to pass the greater part of Thy mortal life in the poor cottage at Nazareth in humble subjection to Mary and Joseph, thus sanctifying that Family which was to be the model of all Christian families, graciously receive this family which dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day.
Do Thou protect us, do Thou watch over us! Do Thou bestow upon us Thine holy fear, peace, concord and Christian love that so, by the imitation of Thy Family as our pattern and model, we may each and all obtain everlasting happiness.
O Mary, loving mother of Jesus and our mother, by thy gracious intercession, may this humble dedication be acceptable to Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.
St. Joseph, holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities so that, with Mary and with thee, we may for all eternity bless and thank our divine Redeemer, Jesus.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be three times.
Litany of the Holy Family
O Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we humbly invoke you as our most loving and powerful protectors. To you do we have recourse in all our wants, in all our trials and afflictions; and we implore you to take us, and all Christian families, under your especial protection. May you be ever honoured and loved, blessed and praised, by us and by all mankind.
℟. Amen.
- Blessed be Jesus, Mary and Joseph, worthy objects of our reverence and love, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be Jesus, Mary and Joseph, by the voice of all ages called the Holy Family, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be Jesus, Mary and Joseph, image on earth of the Adorable Trinity, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, tried by the greatest contradictions, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, afflicted in the journey to Bethlehem, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, rejected by all and obliged to take refuge in a stable, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, saluted by the choirs of angels, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, visited by the poor shepherds, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, venerated by the wise men, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, persecuted and exiled in a strange country, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, hidden and unknown at Nazareth, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, model of Christian families, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, living in peace and charity, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, leading a life of poverty, toil and suffering, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, in which the father is a model of paternal vigilance, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, in which the mother is a model of maternal care, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, in which the Child is a model of obedience and filial piety, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, poor in the goods of this world but rich in the goods of Heaven, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, despised by men but great before God, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
- Blessed be the Holy Family, our support in life, our hope in death, praised be Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Let us pray.
O God of goodness and mercy, grant that we may always honour and imitate Jesus, Mary and Joseph so that, pleasing them on earth, we may enjoy their presence in Heaven, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer before an image of the Holy Family
O most loving Jesus, Who, by the ineffable virtues and by the example of Thy domestic life, didst consecrate the family which Thou didst choose on earth, in Thy clemency, look down upon this household humbly prostrate before Thee, and imploring Thy mercy.
Remember that this family belongs to Thee, for to Thee, we have, in a special way, dedicated and devoted ourselves. Look upon us in Thy loving-kindness, preserve us from every danger, give us help in the time of need, and grant us the grace to persevere to the end in the imitation of the Holy Family, that, having revered Thee and loved Thee faithfully upon earth, we may bless and praise Thee eternally in Heaven.
O Mary, most sweet mother, to thy intercession we have recourse, knowing that thy divine Son will hear thy prayers. And do thou, O glorious Patriarch St. Joseph, assist us by thy powerful mediation and offer, by the hands of Mary, our prayers to Jesus.
When to pray the Holy Family Chaplet
Acts of consecration to the Holy Family are traditionally done on the Feast of the Holy Family or during the month of February (being the month dedicated to the Holy Family). The month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family.
The special devotion which proposes the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the model of virtue of all Christian households began in the 17th century. It started almost simultaneously in Canada and France: the Association of the Holy Family was founded in Montreal in 1663, and by the Daughters of the Holy Family in Paris in 1674.
This devotion soon spread and in 1893 Leo XIII expressed his approval of a feast under this title and himself composed part of the Office. The feast was welcomed by succeeding Pontiffs as an efficacious means for bringing home to the Christian people the example of the Holy Family at Nazareth, and by the restoration of the true spirit of family life, stemming, in some measure, the evils of present-day society.
Family virtues reflected in the prayers
Prayer and the presence of God
It is also important to pray as a family, especially the holy rosary. Prayer will help us to intensify our closeness with each other and to learn to forgive.
Since the Holy Family observed the Jewish law in its perfection, we can deduce quite accurately what prayers they recited. The Psalms, of course, were the favorites. Three times a day Jesus, Mary, and Joseph said the Tephillah, “The Prayer,” consisting of eighteen long invocations and blessings.
Joseph (and later Jesus when He attained to manhood) was obliged to say the Shema, a sort of profession of faith in the one true God, twice daily. A very interesting Jewish custom of prayer that must have been observed in the house at Nazareth was that of the Mezuzah, “the doorpost,” and the “phylacteries,” small square calfskin boxes with Scripture texts written on parchment inside them.
Such was the vocal and the more or less formal prayer which Jesus, Mary, and Joseph offered in their home at Nazareth. In their hearts, however, they prayed always. Just as the Heart of Jesus was constantly united with His divinity, so were the hearts of Mary and Joseph so closely bound to God that their every action was a prayer.
Forgiveness
Which leads us to what may be the most important family virtue - forgiveness. Living so intimately within the family nucleus naturally gives rise to unpleasant situations where someone is apt to be offended.
St. Paul knew this when he told us to “bear with and forgive one another.” The health of our family may depend on how quickly we learn to forgive without harboring feelings of resentment.
Work and shared responsibility
No family can thrive and grow without constant work. Even the material details that take time and effort are essential to keeping the family strong.
Everyone has to pull together for the good of the family - even to the point of putting ahead of our own needs and ambitions the happiness of other family members, setting aside our own selfish desires.
Love and self-gift
Pope John Paul II has said, “The family, more than any other human reality, is the place in which the person is loved for himself and in which he learns to live the sincere gift of self.”
We should ask ourselves if our own families model that of the Holy Family. We need to be open to God’s grace to value the positive and to accept our mistakes - and to be willing to rectify them.
Peace during difficulties
Parenting is a very challenging responsibility and at times errors are made despite the best intentions. Recognizing this, children should trust their parents and never forget that parents want only what is best for them.
The chaplet’s closing prayer acknowledges that families sometimes pass through weaknesses and trials, while asking for compassion, mercy, forgiveness, dignity, integrity, and mutual support.
Short invocations to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give thee my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with thee!
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love you, save souls.
Immaculate Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Immaculata Regina Pacis, ora pro nobis.
Using the chaplet with a novena
Chaplets can be a profound addition to novenas, enhancing their spiritual efficacy. To use a chaplet for a novena, you simply integrate the chaplet’s prayers into the novena's daily routine.
For example, if you are praying a novena to St. Joseph, you might include the Chaplet of St. Joseph each day of the novena, focusing on specific intentions related to the novena’s purpose. This practice not only adds depth to your petitions but also aligns your prayers with the specific intercessions and spiritual focus of the chaplet, allowing for a richer, more structured devotional experience.
Optional prayers for a more extended devotion
Memorare of the Child Jesus
Remember, O Divine Child Jesus, that never has it been known, that anyone who has ever called upon Thy grace has not been answered with Thy love. With this assurance, I entreat Thee, obedient Son of Mary and Joseph, to help me to always follow Thy will, to show true sorrow for my sin, and to lead a holy life in order to attain a blessed eternity with Thee. Amen.
Memorare of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to they protection, implored they help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.
Memorare of St. Joseph
Remember, O most illustrious Patriarch, Saint Joseph, never has it been heard that anyone who invoked thy protection or sought they mediation has not obtained relief. In this confidence, I come before thee, my loving protector, chaste spouse of Mary, earthly father of the Savior of men, and dispenser of the treasures of His Sacred Heart.
Despise not my earnest prayer, but graciously hear and obtain my petition. Amen.
Prayer for the protection of the Holy Family
Grant unto us, Lord Jesus, ever to follow the example of Thy holy Family, that in the hour of our death Thy glorious Virgin Mother together with blessed Joseph may come to meet us and we may be worthily received by Thee into everlasting dwellings: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.