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O Lord, God of goodness and mercy,
Who in the midst of an evil and
sinful world hast presented to
the society of the redeemed
the Holy Family of Nazareth
as a spotless mirror of piety,
justice and love, behold how
the family is being undermined on all sides,
every effort being made to desecrate it
by stripping it of faith, religion and morals.
Regard the work of Thy own hands.
Safeguard in our homes the domestic virtues,
for these alone will ensure
us harmony and peace.
Come and stir up the
champions of the family.
Bestir the modern apostles
so that in Thy Name,
bearing the message of Jesus Christ
and exhibiting holiness of life,
they may revive the doctrines
of conjugal fidelity for married couples,
the exercise of authority by parents,
obedience on the part of children
and modesty on the part of girls.
Grant also through the
efforts of these apostles
that the home favoured by Thee
with many blessings may again become
an object of esteem and love
in the minds and hearts of all.
It is through the examples
of the Divine model of Nazareth
that the Christian family is to be
restored in Jesus Christ and to recover
its former respect and dignity.
Then every home will again become
a sanctuary and in every household
will be rekindled the flame of faith
to teach patience in adversity and
moderation in prosperity and to promote
order, peace and harmony in all things.
Under Thy paternal gaze, O Lord,
and with confidence in Thy Providence
and in the loving patronage
of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
the family will become a sanctuary of virtue
and a school of wisdom.
It shall prove, as Christ has promised,
a haven of rest against life's burdens.
In the sight of the world it shall
render glory to Thee, O Father,
and to Thy Son, Jesus, until the day when,
through Him, we shall, together
with all His members, sing the
Divine praises in the eternal ages to come.
Amen.
Pope Pius XII
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