Omnes de Saba venient
aurum et thus deferentes
et laudem Domino annuntiantes.
Alleluja.
THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD
DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE
The word "Epiphany" means "manifestation." The Church in the Mass commemorates a triple manifestation of Christ: to the Magi, that is, to the Gentiles; in His Baptism, when the Voice from heaven declared: "This is My beloved Son"; and in the miracle of changing water into wine at Cana.
The mystery of the Christ-birth is a rich and glorious beginning, splendid with promise. Today we worship a partial fulfillment when Jesus, as an Infant King, is manifested to wise men of the Gentile world and through them to all peoples. His royalty is neither frightening nor pompous, for the kingly majesty of the sovereign Redeemer is robed in babyhood. Coming in the simplicity of true greatness, Jesus makes Himself acceptable and at home to the little and the great of every nation under heaven.
~~~
How can we bring similar offerings to Christ?
We offer gold to Him, when we love Him with our whole heart, and out of love to Him, present Him our will by perfect obedience and continual self-denial, as our will is our most precious treasure. We also offer Him gold when we assist the poor by alms given in His name. We offer Him frankincense when we devoutly and ardently pray to Him, especially when we meditate upon His omnipotence, love, goodness, justice and mercy. We offer Him myrrh when we avoid carnal desires, mortify our evil inclinations and passions, and strive for purity of body and soul.
~ The Church’s Year by Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine’s
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Litany
(from Christmas to Epiphany)
….O Blessed parents of the Infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph,we humbly and earnestly implore you to beg for us, at the crib of your Infant Son, that like Him and as His true and faithful followers, we may love to live in true humility, disengagement from creatures, contempt of the world and it’s vanities, constant recollection of the holy presence of God, fervour and fidelity in all of our duties, and in the practice of the tenderest charity to all persons. May we never blush at the humility of the crib, nor at the poverty and simplicity of Bethlehem. May we ever rejoice at our happy lot as children of the true Church; ever in tender charity look with a compassionate eye on those who live but for this world; and continually pray that all may come to bless, to praise and to love the Saviour, who comes to redeem them…Amen
~Excerpt from the Litany from Christmas to Epiphany, taken from the MC & LMC Prayer Book.
~~~
Resources:
- Vigil & Feast of the Epiphany – The Church’s Year by Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine’s
- The Epiphany – Breviary.net
- Traditional Latin Mass – Find a TLM in your area for the Jan. 6, the Feast of the Epiphany.
- Latin Mass Propers Online
- In Epiphania Domini – Gregorian Chant Propers
- More on Epiphany from Fr. Z
- Epiphany Icon Coloring Page
- Additional Epiphany Resources – Sanctus Simplicitus
- Epiphany Ceremony Printable – Family Feast and Feria
All they from Saba will come,
bringing gold and frankincense,
and announcing the praise of the Lord.
Alleluia.
~Gradual for The Feast of the Epiphany. The text is from Isaiah 60:6
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