The Holy Family is the name given to the family formed of Jesus of Nazareth and his parents, Mary and Joseph. The Catholic Church cites it as an example by for all Catholic families. “So the shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.” (Lk. 2:16).
The liturgical feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas or, if Christmas falls on a Sunday, on 30th December.
It is a feast that aims to show the Holy Family of Nazareth as “the true model of life” (Collect) from which our families can draw inspiration and where they can find help and comfort.
“Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet.” (Mt. 2:13-15).
A family on the move
Like the Holy Family, we are all invited to set out to protect our faith in Jesus who, at Christmas, came to us as a tiny baby.
Lourdes can be that place for every family. A place of healing.
Programme of activities from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026
7 a.m. – 10 p.m.: Christmas tree and large Christmas crib on the esplanade of the Rosary Basilica
9.30 a.m.: Guided Espélugues Stations of the Cross and the Jubilee Way (in French)
2 p.m.: ‘The Footsteps of Bernadette’ (in French)
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.: exhibition of Christmas cribs from around the world next to the Information Centre
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. (except 25th December and 1st January): visit for families to see the Christmas cribs, organised by the Youth Ministry
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.: entertainment in the Christmas village with hot chocolate and carols next to the Information Centre
6.30 p.m. – 10 p.m.: illuminations and Christmas carols in the Sanctuary
8.30 p.m.: Torchlight rosary at the Grotto
Prayer
