Becoming A Lay Holy Family Member
As baptised persons, we Lay Holy Family, are called to live in accordance with Gospel values and to remain open to the Good News, so as to be witnesses to Jesus of Nazareth, in our everyday living.
We respond to God’s call by following in the footsteps of Saint Emilie de Rodat whose spirituality was founded on the Holy Family of Nazareth.
We want to make our lives a continuation of this mystery of the Incarnation:
By striving to reveal the face of a God of tenderness, of fidelity, of mercy, close to the lowly and the humble.
As Lay Holy Family “we wish to “make our lives a continuation of the mystery of Incarnate Love” and to reveal to the world in which we live “the face of a God of tenderness and compassion close to the meek and humble.”
At the heart of the society in which we live, we wish to witness to a life of humility, patience, simplicity, joy in the monotony of daily routine.
We desire to live our lives in abandonment to Divine Providence sure that God is at work and journeys with us.
Prayer is vital for a lay person. We cannot live without prayer. It is our personal nourishment, our manner of speaking and of communicating with God in union with the whole Church.
It is the source of life so it is good to spend time praying.
Prayer in daily life allows God to work in us. It brings calm, balance and interior peace into the reality of our daily life influencing our family, social and professional life. It also leads us to forgive and even to love our enemies.
A Lay Holy Family member takes the means to nourish his/her Spiritual life on a personal and group level by:
time for personal prayer each day
rereading of life in the light of Christ – making a link between prayer and life.
celebration of the Eucharist and other sacraments
regular reading of Scripture and St. Emilie’s writings
sharing God’s word (in family when it is possible)
Biblical formation
Time for personal prayer at each reunion
Taking time to discover different ways of praying
It is important that we fix our gaze on Christ in order to discover our mission and live it out wherever we are as St. Emilie did.
CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION & COMMITMENT
Admission:
must be a Christian, baptised
be over 18 years of age
desire and know and deepen the spirituality of St. Emilie
be prepared to assume the demands of a life in a group.
Commitment:
regular and active presence in the group
availability to render service in the group
final commitment if desired is in agreement with the persons accompanying and in charge of the group.
You may want to discuss this possibility further. If so please contact us.