"And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
- Mt 2:9-11
Sunday was the Epiphany of the Lord (observed), the feast in which the Church celebrates the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the gentiles. Traditionally this feast actually falls on the 6th of January, 12 days after Christmas, but in the United States it is transferred to the closest Sunday. For many in the Church, especially in Italy, Epiphany is the day when gifts are given rather than Christmas. One of the liturgical traditions on Epiphany is that following the Gospel, the Deacon or Priest chants the announcement of the dates of Easter and the movable feasts for the new liturgical year. You can hear this in the clip below.
Another really cool tradition on Epiphany was the blessing of water at the Vigil. This was normally done by the bishop and was adopted from the Greek tradition. Also on Epiphany the priest traditionally blesses chalk that is used to inscribe the following blessing above the doors of homes:
Another really cool tradition on Epiphany was the blessing of water at the Vigil. This was normally done by the bishop and was adopted from the Greek tradition. Also on Epiphany the priest traditionally blesses chalk that is used to inscribe the following blessing above the doors of homes:
20 + C + M + B + 15
The numbers represent the new year. The initials C, M, B, have a twofold meaning. They are the initials for the traditional names attributed to the Three Magi—Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar—but they also stand for the Latin phrase, "Christus mansionem benedicat," which means "Christ bless this house." Accompanying the inscription is a rite of blessing that can either be led by a priest or by the father/head of the household. Through this rite (from the Roman Ritual) we ask for the blessing of God on our homes for the new year.
Below is my homily for the feast of the Epiphany including the chanted announcement of Easter and the movable feasts of 2015.
Have a blessed Epiphany, and don't forget that Christmas is still celebrated until next Sunday, the Baptism of the Lord, the First Sunday in Ordinary Time.
- Fr. Jeff
- Fr. Jeff
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