HOLY FAMILY REPARATION

During this Christmastide [2005] there is need of more reparation than ever. Not only is the Holy Family disparaged in a documentary but there is also an especially grotesque depiction of Their Image by an artist who is a member of a religious order. Since this particular work of "art" is as almost bad as it can get-----that is, the Holy Family is at least clothed-----I cannot in good conscience render insult to Heaven anew by displaying this hideous picture here. Suffice it to say that the Holy Family is shown to have various shades of light royal blue skin, monkey-like facial features and large hands and feet, so large as to be disproportionate, thus, one's attention is drawn to these garish blue extremities in the extreme. This image reportedly has commercial value and is being used for liturgical purposes in some dioceses.

I know nothing of the interior faith life of the artist, but even the least skilled artisan with the true faith and a traditional devotional life ought to be able to portray Our Divine Lord and His Holy Mother and Dear Foster-Father in a manner that is in a dignified setting with recognizably human features. The image which I describe is not even of good cartoon quality [if it were it would still require reparation], if this was the purpose, although I suspect not.

ADAPTED FROM THE RACCOLTA: 275

The text in dark red was added by the Web Master.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, bless us and grant us the grace of loving Holy Church, as we are bound to do, above every earthly thing, and of ever showing forth our love by the witness of our deeds.

In reparation for the undignified and garish depiction of Thee, we say:

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, bless us and grant us the grace of openly professing, as we are bound to do, with courage and without human respect, the faith that we received of Thy gift in holy Baptism.

In reparation for the public display of so disparaging a depiction of Thee, we say:

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, bless us and grant us the grace of sharing, as we are bound to do, in the defense and propagation of the Faith, when duty calls, whether by word or by the sacrifice of our fortunes and our lives.

In reparation for the lack of outrage at so loathsome a portrait of Thee, we say:

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, bless us and grant us the grace of loving one another in mutual charity, as we are bound to do, and establish us in perfect harmony of thought, will and action, under the rule and guidance of our holy Pastors.

In reparation for the lack in so many churches of a truly reverent and wholesome portrait of Thee, we say:

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, bless us and grant us the grace of conforming our lives fully, as we are bound to do, to the commandments of God's law and that of His holy Church, so as to live always in that charity which they set forth.

In reparation for the willful promotion of such a repugnant picture of Thee, we say:

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Lord Jesus Christ, Who, being made subject to Mary and Joseph, didst consecrate domestic life by Thine ineffable virtues; grant that we, with the assistance of both, may be taught by the example of Thy holy Family and may attain to its everlasting fellowship. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen (Roman Missal)