Friday 6 January 2011

7:30 am Low Mass
7:30 pm Solemn High Mass
A Holy Hour will follow the Mass, with Benediction at 10 pm.

The Solemnity of the Epiphany commemorates three manifestations (Greek: epiphaneia) of the Divinity of Christ to man: to the Magi in Bethlehem, following His birth; to Saint John the Baptist at His Baptism; and to the Jews with His first public miracle at the wedding feast in Cana. All three of these manifestations are referenced in the Mass readings and divine office of the Church on this day, although the visit of the Magi is the major focus for Latin Catholics. In the Eastern Churches, where the feast is called the Theophany—‘divine manifestation’’—, the focus is on the revelation of Our Lord as the Messiah and Second Person of the Trinity at the time of His baptism.

In both West and East, house blessings are a traditional feature of Epiphany time. Blessed chalk is made available in the entrance of the church, and you may take this away to inscribe the traditional blessing formula in your home. Like holy water, the blessed chalk is a sacramental. It is the custom to mark the main door of the home with the blessed chalk. This may be done by the head of the household while saying a prayer. It should look like this:

20 C + M + B 12

The letters C M B are the initials of the names traditionally given to the three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasaar. They also stand for the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat, ‘May Christ bless this house’.

Suggested prayer:
The three Wise Men, Caspar + Melchior + Balthasaar, followed the star of God’s Son, Who became man 20 hundred and 10 years ago. May Christ our King bless our home, protect us, and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.