As the heat of the Australian summer continues into February, the Church invites us to step into the coolness and quiet of the home at Nazareth. This month is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, a devotion initiated in the 17th century to encourage families to look toward this sacred family as the most perfect model of faith and virtue in daily life. In the simple rhythms of their hidden life, we find a “School of Virtue” where holiness is found in the ordinary – in the chores, the shared meals, and the silent sacrifices of family life.
🙏 The Art of a Peaceful Passing
This theme of familial love and devotion comes to life in a special way this month at the Divine Mercy Shrine. On Sunday, 22nd February, we are honoured to welcome renowned sacred artist Tommy Canning from Scotland, who will be joined by John Canavan of Divine Mercy Publications, Melbourne.
Tommy’s brush captures the tender, unspoken moments of the Holy Family that Scripture leaves to our prayerful imagination. His moving piece, St. Joseph – Patron of the Dying, reflects the long-held tradition that Joseph passed into eternity before Jesus began His public ministry. The painting depicts a scene of profound serenity: Joseph breathes his last, not in fear, but in the tender embrace of Jesus and Mary. It is a powerful reminder that the Holy Family is with us not only in the business of life but at the very threshold of heaven.
Misericordia Mundi: A New Vision of Mercy
The timing of Tommy’s visit is no coincidence. February 22nd marks the 95th anniversary of the day in 1931 when Jesus appeared to St. Faustina Kowalska in Płock, Poland. In that vision, Christ appeared in a white garment with red and pale rays emanating from His heart, instructing her to paint an image with the signature “Jesus, I trust in You
To mark this significant milestone, Tommy will share his own interpretation of this request through his 2025 painting titled “Misericordia Mundi”. Tommy shares his insights into the different aspects of this work, reflecting on the spiritual symbolism and artistic choices behind
each element. His video presentation brings the artwork to life. Alongside this, he will present a brand-new artwork depicting St. Faustina meeting a dying man, beautifully bridging the themes of St Joseph’s holy death with Faustina’s mission of mercy.
Becoming the "Army of God"
As we reflect on the Holy Family, we are reminded that the Church itself is one great family. To strengthen this bond, we look to the Uniting Prayer to the Heavenly Family.
This prayer calls us to unite our daily sufferings, joys, and sacrifices into a “most powerful army” of prayer to battle against darkness. It identifies the “Heavenly Family” as the Holy Trinity working in perfect union with Mary and Joseph. By consecrating our loved ones to this Heavenly Family and frequently invoking the phrase, “Heavenly Family save us. Holy Cross protect us,” we place our homes under a banner of divine protection.
THE UNITY PRAYER TO THE HEAVENLY FAMILY
I/We who have been called by Almighty God, and who belong to various movements in the Church of God (singles, families, prayer groups, all movements, communities, religious communities, priests, bishops, cardinals, and Pope) throughout the whole world, unite ourselves and unify in prayer all our prayers, sufferings, sacrifices and joys, in faith, with Love each day, to the Heavenly Family, which is the Holy Trinity with the Holy Family. We, the children of the whole world, unite and become warriors and soldiers of the greatest and most powerful army of God, that has ever existed, to fight against satan and his evil
cohorts.
We are the army of God, united with St Michael and all Celestial beings, angels, saints, and people in Heaven and Purgatory, for the Victorious Heavenly Family, Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Dearest heavenly family, we love you, we console you in these days of great darkness that has come upon this world. Please protect us from satan and all his evilness. May the most Precious Blood of Jesus cover us, and protect us, and imprison satan forever. We are your united children who ask to come under the protection and banner of the Holy Trinity.
Amen.
Pray:
One Our Father, One Hail Mary and One Glory Be
Pray three times:
Heavenly Family save us.
Holy Cross protect us.
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HEAVENLY FAMILY
Dearest Father in Heaven, Our Lord Jesus, God the Holy Spirit, with Holy Mother Mary and St Joseph, I consecrate to the Heavenly Family, my family and all children and adults from the time of conception to the time of their death, and I place them under the protection of The Cross.
Pray:
One Our Father,
one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be
Say three times:
Heavenly Family save us.
Holy Cross protect us.
A Journey Toward the Light
Our journey through February began with the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas) on February 2nd, celebrating Christ as the “Light to the Nations”. This light guides us through a month rich with the examples of the saints:
- The healing intercession of St. Blaise (Feb 3).
- The compassionate care of Our Lady of Lourdes (Feb 11).
- The missionary zeal of Sts. Cyril and Methodius (Feb 14).
- The foundational strength of the Chair of St. Peter (Feb 22).
As the month unfolds, we often find ourselves standing at the threshold of Lent. Whether we are preparing for the ashes of penance or celebrating the triumph of Mercy, let us do so within the embrace of the Holy Family. This February, may your home become a reflection of Nazareth, a sanctuary of peace, a school of virtue, and a fortress of trust in the Divine Mercy of God.