In the words of St John Paul II “The history of mankind, the history of salvation, passes by way of the family”. Yet the family today is under attack in many ways. If it is to fulfil its mission, the family can turn to the Holy Family of Nazareth for inspiration and strength. In this meditation we use texts from St John Paul II, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Pope Francis to consider:

• The beauty of the Holy Family, model of all families
• The attack on the family in today’s world
• The vital importance of the family for the wellbeing of the spouses, the children and society
• Some ways the family can model itself on the Holy Family and thus fulfil its mission more effectively.