A modern dictionary of Catholic terms, both common and obscure.
Find accurate definitions of words and phrases. HOLY FAMILY,
DEVOTION TO THE Although the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
is very prominent in the Gospels, popular devotion to them on a
large scale began only in the seventeenth century. General
confraternities, on an international scale, were created to
promote this devotion. Among modern popes Pius IX in 1847 and
Leo XIII in 1892 encouraged these organizations and gave them
official approval. A number of religious institutes also came
into existence, specially dedicated to the apostolate of helping
Christian families survive and prosper through devotion to
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. In the new revised liturgy the Sunday
within the octave of Christmas is the Feast of the Holy Family,
with its own special Mass and Divine Office. All items in this
dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic
Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.