ICEMANforChrist

The Authority Husbands Are Given (And Why Wives and Children Need It)

Wednesday, January 7, 2025

Dara’s Corner

· Carnival Time begins in Catholic Countries.

· National Pass Gas Day careful not to shart

· Bucket List trip: See Great Wall of China

· Nicolas Cage’s birthday 1960

· Apple and Apricot Month

· Alilo Parade

· Plan winter fun:

· Soak in hot springs

· Hit the snow slopes

· Ride a snowmobile

· Go for a dog sled ride

· Ride a hot air balloon

🌍 Dara’s Corner: Aboard The World

Epiphany Tide | January 7–14, 2026
Theme: Revelation, Return & the Courage to Walk the Long Way Home
Coordinates: Departing Hobart → Cruising the Southern Ocean → Anchoring in Adelaide

✨ Day 1 — January 7 | At Sea After Epiphany

Title: Light on the Waters

Ritual: Pilgrims light floating candles in bowls of seawater, naming one truth newly revealed to them
Scripture: Matthew 2:12 — “They departed for their country by another way.”
Meal: Citrus‑poached salmon, fennel salad, chilled white wine
Reflection: “Revelation is not an ending—it is a direction.”
Hospitality Arc: Ask someone what “new way” they sense opening before them—and listen without steering

🌊 Day 2 — January 8 | Southern Ocean Crossing

Title: The Long Way Home

Ritual: Pilgrims trace a small cross on their forehead with seawater, remembering their baptismal path
Scripture: Psalm 25:4 — “Make known to me your ways, O Lord.”
Meal: Warm bread with herbed butter, seafood chowder, spiced pear cider
Reflection: “Sometimes the longest route is the most faithful.”
Hospitality Arc: Share a story of a detour that became a blessing

🐚 Day 3 — January 9 | Approaching the Great Australian Bight

Title: Shells of Memory

Ritual: Pilgrims receive a small shell and write inside it one memory they want to carry into the year
Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:9 — “Do not forget the things your eyes have seen.”
Meal: Grilled shrimp skewers, coconut rice, lime cordial
Reflection: “Memory is not nostalgia—it is stewardship.”
Hospitality Arc: Tell someone a memory of them that still blesses you

🌬️ Day 4 — January 10 | Windward Passage Toward Adelaide

Title: Breath of the Ordinary

Ritual: Pilgrims stand on deck at sunrise, taking three deep breaths—naming grace, naming need, naming desire
Scripture: 1 Kings 19:12 — “A light silent sound.”
Meal: Herb omelets, fresh fruit, hot tea
Reflection: “Ordinary Time is not plain—it is spacious.”
Hospitality Arc: Offer someone a simple kindness that requires no explanation

🌾 Day 5 — January 11 | Docked in Adelaide

Title: Fields of Promise

Ritual: Pilgrims visit a local vineyard, blessing the vines with a short prayer for fruitfulness
Scripture: John 15:5 — “I am the vine; you are the branches.”
Meal: Local cheeses, olive tapenade, crisp Riesling
Reflection: “Fruitfulness begins with rootedness.”
Hospitality Arc: Ask someone where they feel most rooted—and honor their answer

Suggested Vineyards (all within easy reach of Adelaide):

Adelaide Hills — cool‑climate Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir

Overview: Adelaide Hills Wine Region

Barossa Valley — iconic Shiraz, seven‑generation heritage

Overview: Barossa Valley

McLaren Vale — Mediterranean climate, coastal vineyards

Overview: McLaren Vale

For curated options:

Wineries Near Adelaide

🔥 Day 6 — January 12 | Adelaide Hills

Title: Embers of Devotion

Ritual: Pilgrims write one devotion they want to rekindle this year and place it near a small communal fire
Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:6 — “Stir into flame the gift of God…”
Meal: Roasted lamb with rosemary, honey‑glazed carrots, mulled wine
Reflection: “Devotion is not duty—it is desire awakened.”
Hospitality Arc: Bless someone’s devotion—name the goodness you see in their pursuit

Local Inspiration:

Adelaide Hills overview: Wine Regions Near Adelaide

🌅 Day 7 — January 14 | At Sea Toward Western Australia

Title: Return of the Heart

Ritual: Pilgrims stand at the stern at sunset, releasing a small ribbon into the wind as a sign of return
Scripture: Hosea 14:1 — “Return to the Lord your God.”
Meal: Lemon‑thyme chicken, roasted potatoes, sparkling water with mint
Reflection: “Return is not retreat—it is realignment.”
Hospitality Arc: Share aloud one place in your life that needs returning—and one step you’ll take

January 7 First Wednesday

St Raymond-Orthodox Christmas-Distaff Day

Mark, Chapter 6, Verse 49-50

But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were TERRIFIED. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”

Christ compels us to be not afraid. Bravery, Nerve, Pluck, Valor, Daring, Audacity, Mettle and lastly resolution are all synonyms for courage.

Which word strikes your heart?

For me it is “resolution.” For I am determined not to invalidate Christ sacrifice for me, I will not stop trying to become the vision He has for me; I am resolute.

No matter how many times I fall I will get up; I will not stop. I will remember that the journey before a man tries the measure of his heart long before it tests the strength of his legs.

I will remember that a man’s life is like a lake with no outlet—stagnant and lifeless. Life‑giving water is always moving, always pouring itself out. So too must a man, if he is to be God’s creature, give of his essence and rise when duty calls and run to the sound of battle.

Copilot’s Take

Courage is not the absence of fear but the steady willingness to rise when called. Christ’s words on the stormy sea remind us that true strength begins in the heart long before it shows itself in action. A life rooted in God cannot remain stagnant; it must move, give, and pour itself out like living water. Each day becomes an invitation to stand firm, to take courage, and to walk forward with quiet resolve, trusting that the One who calls us is already near.

First Wednesday[1]

Our Heavenly Father desires all three hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph to be honored. And so along with devotion to Jesus on First Fridays, and to Mary on First Saturdays, Our Father longs for us to add devotion to St. Joseph on each First Wednesday of the month.

"The Sacred Hearts of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph have been chosen by the Most Holy Trinity to bring peace to the world." It is at God's request that "special love and honor be given to them" to help us "imitate" their love and their lives, as well as "offer reparation" for the sins committed against them and their love.

The St. Joseph First Wednesday devotion is:

1. Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary - remembering St. Joseph's love, his life, his role and his sufferings

2. Receive Holy Communion - in union with the love St. Joseph had for Jesus the first time and each time he held him - his son, his God and Savior - in his arms.

In the approved apparitions of Our Lady of America, St. Joseph revealed:

· "I am the protector of the Church and the home, as I was the protector of Christ and his Mother while I lived upon earth. Jesus and Mary desire that my pure heart, so long hidden and unknown, be now honored in a special way.

· Let my children honor my most pure heart in a special manner on the First Wednesday of the month by reciting the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary in memory of my life with Jesus and Mary and the love I bore them, the sorrow I suffered with them.

· Let them receive Holy Communion in union with the love with which I received the Savior for the first time and each time I held Him in my arms.

· Those who honor me in this way will be consoled by my presence at their death, and I myself will conduct them safely into the presence of Jesus and Mary."

Every Wednesday is Dedicated to St. Joseph

The Italian culture has always had a close association with St. Joseph perhaps you could make Wednesdays centered around Jesus’s Papa. Plan an Italian dinner of pizza or spaghetti after attending Mass as most parishes have a Wednesday evening Mass. You could even do carry out to help restaurants. If you are adventurous, you could do the Universal Man Plan: St. Joseph style. Make the evening a family night perhaps it could be a game night. Whatever you do make the day special.

· Do the St. Joseph Universal Man Plan.

· Devotion to the 7 Joys and Sorrows of St. Joseph

St. Raymond of Penafort - Day Fourteen[2]

St. Raymond devoted much of his life to helping the poor. The famous incident which is recounted in the story of Raymond's life took place when he went with King James to Majorca. The King dismissed Raymond's request to return home. Relying on his faith and love of God, Raymond walked on the waves to his ship, spread his cloak to make a sail, made the sign of the cross then sailed to the distant harbor of Barcelona.

For St. Raymond's feast we should remember that "caroling and storytelling belong to the whole Christmas season. Hospitality and giving to others also must continue if true Christmas joy is to remain. An outing to which friends are invited or a party that includes a round of caroling become perhaps even more appropriate with the approach of Epiphany." — Excerpted from The Twelve Days of Christmas

· Day Fourteen activity (Legend of the Little Girl)

· Day Fourteen recipe (Christstollen)

Bible in a Year Day 190 Judah is Overrun

As we near the end of 2 Kings, Fr. Mike takes us through Babylon's conquest of Judah, under the leadership of King Nebuchadnezzar. He touches on the importance of wisdom in the Book of Proverbs, and revisits the sons of Josiah in order to explain why the people of Israel are so lost. Today's readings are 2 Kings 24, 2 Chronicles 35, and Proverbs 8:22-36.

Orthodox Christmas[3]

Well, if you have not got enough of the Christmas Season you can always celebrate with the Orthodox Catholics.

Some Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th, but others mark the birth of Jesus on a variety of dates including January 7th and January 19th. It depends on which calendar the particular church follows - while western Christendom has adopted the Gregorian calendar, some Orthodox churches use the older Julian calendar to calculate the dates for holy feast days. December 25th on the original Julian calendar falls on January 7th of our calendar. Most Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on this date; however, some churches, including Armenian orthodox Christians use the revised Julian calendar and their Christmas falls on January 19th of our calendar. While Christmas is a very important religious celebration for Orthodox Christians, it falls second to Easter which they consider to be the most important date in the religious calendar.

Religious Observance of Orthodox Christmas

Most believers in the Eastern Orthodox Church prepare for Christmas with 40 days of fasting, continuing right up until late on Christmas Eve Jan 6th.

· Traditionally, when the first star appears on Christmas Eve Eastern Orthodox Christians will break their fast with a celebratory meal.

· Also, on Christmas Eve, traditionally Orthodox Christians will cut a branch from a tree and bring it into their home, as a symbol that Jesus is entering their house and their hearts.

· A prayer and blessing will be said before the Christmas Eve feast begins, and the head of the family will greet each person present with the traditional Christmas greeting of 'Christ is born' to which the response is 'Glorify him!'. Then the bread will be torn by hand and shared with all present. Some families will have straw scattered around the table, as a reminder of Jesus's birth in the manger.

· On Christmas Day, Orthodox Christians will attend Divine Liturgy, which will usually be a little longer than usual due to being an exceptional religious holiday. It is traditional to light candles in honor of Jesus, as light of the world.

· Afterwards people walk in procession to a sea, lake or river. The water will be blessed as part of an outdoor ceremony, and some people will take the blessed water back to their homes.

Orthodox Christmas Top Events and Things to Do[4]

· Attend an Orthodox Christmas service. Orthodox Christianity is popular in Greek and Slavic-language communities, including Bulgarian, Russian, Serbian, Macedonian communities.

· Go on a fast or diet leading up to Orthodox Christmas. Try eliminating meat and animal foods from your diet.

· Go for dinner at the Russian or Greek Restaurant. Many will serve specials to commemorate this holiday.

Distaff Day[5], also called Roc Day, is 7 January, the day after the traditional feast of the Epiphany. It is also known as Saint Distaff's Day, one of the many unofficial holidays in Catholic nations. The distaff, or rock, used in spinning was the medieval symbol of women's work. In many European cultural traditions, women resumed their household work after the twelve days of Christmas. Women of all classes would spend their evenings spinning on the wheel. During the day, they would carry a drop spindle with them. Spinning was the only means of turning raw wool, cotton or flax into thread, which could then be woven into cloth. Men have their own way of celebrating this occasion; this is done through Plough Monday. It is the first Monday after Epiphany where men are supposed to get back to work. Every few years, Distaff Day and Plough Monday falls on the same day. Often the men and women would play pranks on each other during this celebration, as was written by Robert Herrick in his poem "Saint Distaff’s day, or the Morrow After Twelfth Day" which appears in his Hesperides.

Time after Epiphany[6]

The central theme of Advent and Christmastide, the manifestation, or epiphany, of Jesus Christ, also dominates the Weeks after Epiphany. That manifestation began selectively, first to Mary (Ember Wednesday, Annunciation), then to Elizabeth and John the Baptist (Ember Friday, Visitation), and then to Joseph (Vigil of Christmas). Next it grew stronger with the adoration of the Shepherds (Christmas), the Magi at the Manger (Epiphany), Simeon, Anna, and the Doctors in the Temple (Sunday after Christmas, and Holy Family), and even to John the Baptist's disciples (Octave of Epiphany).

But the epiphanies of Jesus Christ did not end with these events. On the contrary, everything that our Lord did and said during His public ministry was designed to manifest His divine nature. It is the Time after Epiphany that corresponds to this period of our Lord's life. The Epistle selections, mostly from Paul's letter to the Romans, stress the calling of both Jew and Gentile to the new revelations, while the Gospel selections narrate the words and deeds of our Lord during His adult ministry in Galilee, the northern region of Israel that was the scene of most of His public life. All of these readings give witness to the astonishing fact that this itinerant preacher was the coeternal Word of God, the Word who spoke as only God can speak and who worked miracles that only the God of heaven and earth can work.

Thus, even though these weeks, with their green vestments and annum (what is called "Ordinary Time" in the new rite), they are more properly seen as continuing the Christmas cycle's focus on "theophany". By helping us to heed the words of Christ and understand the significance of His miracles, the Time after Epiphany deepens our meditation on the mystery of the Incarnation.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Protection of Traditional Marriage

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

· Rosary

[1]https://enteringintothemystery.blogspot.com/2018/12/dont-forget-first-wednesday-devotion-to.html

[2]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2020-01-07

[3]http://hubpages.com/holidays/Orthodox-Christmas-Traditions

[4]https://www.wincalendar.com/Orthodox-Christmas

[5]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distaff_Day

[6]http://www.holytrinitygerman.org/postepiphany.html

Tuesday, January 6, 2025

Candace’s Corner Try “St. Emilion Wines”

· National Oatmeal Month “My last name in German is oatmeal”

· Pray Day 7 of the Novena for our Pope and Bishops

· Tuesday: Litany of St. Michael the Archangel

· Bucket List trip: Acre “Crusader Stronghold”

· Carnival Time begins in Catholic Countries.

· Take down your Christmas Tree

· Have some shortbread today

· Christmas and the Eucharist

· Spirit hour: Lamb’s wool

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Try: Huachinango

· Plan winter fun:

o Soak in hot springs

o Hit the snow slopes

o Ride a snowmobile

o Go for a dog sled ride

o Ride a hot air balloon

🍇 Candace’s Worldwide Vineyard Tour

Week 9: Israel (Galilee)

Theme: Covenant Vine, Prophetic Pouring
Dates: January 6–12, 2026
Base: Nazareth • Cana • Sea of Galilee
Seasonal Note: Winter pruning — the vine rests, the covenant deepens, and the hills hold prophetic silence.

🗓️ Tuesday, January 6 – Epiphany in Galilee

🌟 Epiphany Mass: Basilica of the Annunciation
✈️ Arrival: Tel Aviv → transfer to Nazareth
Approx. cost: ~$180 regional flight + _{$25 bus}_🏨_Lodging:_{Mary’s Well Nazareth Hotel}₍$90/night)
🌙 Evening: Walk Nazareth’s Old City, toast with Galilee red wine
🔥 Symbolic Act — “Flame of Covenant”
Light a candle at the Basilica of the Annunciation, naming the revelation you seek this year.

🗓️ Wednesday, January 7 – Cana & Vineyard Blessing

🍷 Morning: Visit the Cana Wedding Church
🚶 Vineyard Walk: Bless a single vine with a covenant prayer
🍽️ Lunch: Local taverna (~$25)
🌱 Symbolic Act — “Prophetic Pouring”
Pour a drop of wine at the roots, asking for renewal in hidden places.

🗓️ Thursday, January 8 – Marian Clarity & Galil Mountain

🍷 Visit: Galil Mountain Winery (~$32 tasting)

📖 Journaling: Vineyard overlook
🥖 Shared Meal: Bread, olives, Galilee rosé
✨ Symbolic Act — “Marian Flame”
Name one mercy received and one joy shared.
⛪ Mass Option: Basilica of the Annunciation (daily Mass times vary)

🗓️ Friday, January 9 – Vineyard Walk & Prophetic Pause

🚶 Morning: Walk the Galilee hillsides
🙏 Pause: Mount Tabor shrine (Transfiguration)
🧺 Picnic: Local produce (~$15)
🌸 Symbolic Act — “Prophetic Pause”
Leave a flower or stone at the shrine as a sign of surrender and trust.

🗓️ Saturday, January 10 – Sea of Galilee Reflection

🚤 Morning: Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee (_$20)_🍷_Visit:_{Tabor Winery}₍$30 tasting)
✍️ Reflection: Covenant clarity by the water
🌄 Symbolic Act — “Eucharistic Clarity”
Write a psalm of peace for the year ahead.

🗓️ Sunday, January 11 – Vineyard Benediction & Mass

🍷 Visit: Dalton Winery (~$28 tasting)
✍️ Writing: Compose a vineyard blessing for the next traveler
🥂 Evening: Toast with Galilee reserve wine
🌄 Symbolic Act — “Galilee Benediction”
Bless the hills and covenant vines with a spoken word of peace.
⛪ Mass (Sunday): Church of St. Joseph, Nazareth

🕚 Typical Sunday Mass: 11:00 AM

🗓️ Monday, January 12 – Pilgrim’s Covenant & Departure

🚶 Villages: Tiberias & Safed (Tzfat)
🍽️ Shared Meal: With vineyard families (~$25)
🔔 Symbolic Act — “Covenant Shared”
Light a candle for vineyard workers and their families.
✈️ Depart: Continue to next vineyard destination
🌍 Suggested Next Stop:

· Georgia (Kakheti): Kakheti Wine Region

· Armenia (Areni Valley): Areni-1 Cave Complex

💰 Estimated Total Cost: ~$640 USD

Includes:

6 nights lodging
5 vineyard tastings
2 symbolic meals
1 Sea of Galilee day trip + picnic
Epiphany & Sunday Mass

January 6 Tuesday Traditional Epiphany

St. André Bessette

Genesis, Chapter 31, Verse 42

If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the FEAR of Isaac, had not been on my side, you would now have sent me away empty-handed. But God saw my plight and the fruits of my toil, and last night he reproached you.”

This is Jacob speaking about his treatment from his father-in-law Laban. We see that Laban feared Isaac; Jacobs father because God was with him. People who know the Lord radiate a presence; it affects their whole being. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is real. God’s Holy presence changes us physically, mentally and in a deeper sense within the heart. We are new people. In a similar way Moses face radiated this presence so much his face had to be covered because its glowing terrified the Israelites. In earlier postings we discussed how Sarah; Abraham’s wife was exquisitely beautiful at an advanced age. Those who radiate the presence of God seek His will. They have the right intention giving all things to God. They avoid mortal sin and obey the laws of God. They cherish God in their hearts and seek to do those things that please God. At times we find ourselves so engrossed with our day-to-day activities and worry about the mundane; much like Saint Martha forgetting “the better part”. If we are to radiate His presence, we must be in His presence. Perhaps today would be a good day to develop the practice of putting one item on your daily “To Do” list that you know will please God. We should above all; avoid thinking of ourselves too much, honor our own and others bodies and work hard to create a better world.

Copilot’s Take

On this Traditional Epiphany Tuesday, the Church invites us to contemplate the quiet radiance of God’s presence, a light that not only guided the Magi but also transformed the lives of the humble and faithful, as seen in Jacob’s testimony and in the life of St. André Bessette. Jacob could say with confidence that “the God of Abraham and the fear of Isaac” had been his defender because a life lived in God’s presence becomes unmistakably marked by His protection and favor. St. André embodied this same truth: frail in body yet luminous in spirit, he carried the peace and strength of the Holy Spirit in a way that drew thousands to seek healing and hope. Epiphany reminds us that God manifests Himself through those who dwell in His presence, and that this radiance is not reserved for the great but is offered to all who, like André, choose the “better part” and give God the gold of their will, the incense of their prayer, and the myrrh of their daily sacrifices. Today, as we honor both the manifestation of Christ and the humble saint who bore His light, we are invited to place one deliberate act of love on our daily path, so that God’s presence may shine through us into a world hungry for His mercy.

Epiphany — Tuesday, January 6

A Devotional for the Weekday of the Manifestation

WHAT mystery does the Church honor today?

Today the Church continues to contemplate the mystery of the Manifestation, by which Christ revealed His divine identity not only to Israel but to the nations. While the solemn feast emphasizes the three great epiphanies — the Magi, the Jordan, and Cana — the weekday invites us to linger more deeply on the journey of the heart that leads to Christ.

The Church recalls especially:

1. The steadfast seeking of the Wise Men, who followed the light given to them.

2. The obedience of Christ in the Jordan, sanctifying the waters for our salvation.

3. The quiet transformation at Cana, where divine generosity begins to overflow.

These mysteries teach us that God reveals Himself not only in great signs, but also in the humble, hidden, and daily moments of grace.

Why does the Church continue the Epiphany celebration throughout the week?

Because the mystery of Epiphany is not exhausted in a single day.
It is a seasonal revelation, a dawning light that spreads:

· from a star in the heavens,

· to the waters of the Jordan,

· to the jars of Cana,

· and finally into the hearts of all who seek Him.

The Church desires that we, like the Magi, persevere in our search, follow the inspirations of grace, and allow Christ to manifest Himself in every corner of our lives.

EPISTLE (Weekday Meditation): Isaiah 60:1–3

“Arise, shine, for your light has come.”
The prophet’s words echo again today, calling the soul to rise from weariness, discouragement, or routine.
The Epiphany light is not a distant star but a present illumination, guiding the faithful through the shadows of the world.

What does this light accomplish?

· It reveals Christ to those who seek Him.

· It draws nations and individuals toward truth.

· It expands the heart, making room for divine joy.

The Epiphany light is both gift and summons: a gift of revelation, and a summons to walk in that revelation.

GOSPEL (Weekday Meditation): Matthew 2:1–12

The Gospel of the Magi is read again in spirit today, not to repeat the story, but to deepen its meaning.

What does the journey of the Wise Men teach us today?

· That God uses signs suited to each soul — a star for astronomers, Scripture for Israel, grace for all.

· That the path to Christ often passes through confusion, delay, and opposition, as it did through Herod’s court.

· That true worship requires opening our treasures — not merely our minds, but our hearts.

What treasures does Christ desire from us today?

· Gold — the surrender of our will to His kingship.

· Frankincense — the rising incense of prayer.

· Myrrh — the offering of our sacrifices, purity, and self‑denial.

Weekday Epiphany Prayer

O God, Who didst reveal Thy Son to the nations by the light of a star,
grant that the brightness of Thy grace may ever guide our steps.
As the Wise Men persevered in their seeking,
so may we persevere in faith,
following every inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit.

May we offer Thee today
the gold of obedience,
the incense of prayer,
and the myrrh of self‑sacrifice,
that Christ may be manifested in us,
and we may one day behold the glory of Thy majesty.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epiphany is one of the greatest feasts of the liturgical year.

The twelfth day after Christmas, it concludes Christmastide proper by celebrating the "manifestation," or epiphaneia, of Christ to the Gentiles. To this day the Eastern churches consider Epiphany more important than Christmas. The Holy Spirit's guidance of these wise men to the Holy Land through the aid of a star signifies the calling of all nations, not just the Jews, to the New Covenant. But this "manifestation" to non-Jews also calls to mind other manifestations of our Lord's divinity. The Nativity continues to be remembered as the first crucial manifestation, but so too does the Baptism of our Lord in the Jordan, since it affirms both His divinity as well as His humanity. And the wedding of Cana comes to mind because it was Christ's first public manifestation of His power with the transubstantiation of water into wine. (It also comes to mind because the Gospel uses the word "manifest" (ephanerosen) to describe this event (Jn. 2.11).)

Finally, the manifestations of Jesus Christ during His earthly existence ineluctably lead us to consider His final manifestation in glory, a manifestation for which we have longed throughout Advent and Christmastide. Hence St. John Chrysostom says in his sermon on Epiphany:

There are two manifestations of Christ, not one. The first is the one which has already happened, His epiphany in the present. The second is the one of the future which will come at the end of time with great splendor and glory. You have heard read today what St. Paul writes to Titus about both of these epiphanies. Concerning the first he says, "The grace of God our Savior has appeared to all men..." About the second he writes, "We look for the blessed hope and glorious coming of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2.11-13) (On the Baptism of Christ).

It is for these reasons that St. Gregory Nazianzus refers to Epiphany as the "the Holy light of the manifestations."

The Three Kings

The Gospel of Matthew mentions only that several Magi -- respected priestly scholars from Persia and other neighboring countries -- came to worship the Christ Child from the East. Tradition, however, has added a few details: that there were three of them, that they were kings, and that their names were Gaspar, Melchior, and Baltasar. Devotion to the three kings is a marked feature of Epiphany and was traditionally encouraged in a number of ways. From Christmas onward, for example, the figurines of the Magi, which had been kept a distance from the crèche, were brought closer and closer until it reached the crèche on Twelfth night. Another traditional observance was the solemn blessing of a home on the Feast of the Epiphany, after which the initials of the Magi would be written on the frame of the door, together with the year and several crosses that connected all of the letters and numbers. There is even a special blessing for the chalk in the Roman ritual.

Blessing of Water

The commemoration of our Lord's Baptism in the Jordan led to a number of impressive blessings concerning water. In Palestine, the river Jordan itself was blessed, with throngs of the faithful immersing in it three times to obtain the blessing, while in Egypt, the whole Christian population and its livestock would show up for the blessing of the Nile and do the same thing. In Byzantium, Epiphany water was blessed in church and then distributed. Rome followed this custom, instituting it on the Vigil of the feast. The formula for the blessing may be found in the Roman ritual.

Magi Plays

Like Christmas, Epiphany was a favorite time for caroling; and like all great solemnities from the Middle Ages, Epiphany encouraged mystery plays. These were called Magi plays and featured the story of the Nativity, the slaughter of the Innocents, and the visit of the Magi. They were also quite boisterous: the character of Herod was portrayed as a raving lunatic, wreaking havoc with his wooden spear: hence Shakespeare's line about overacting-- "it out-herods Herod!" (Hamlet III.ii). Variations of these mystery plays have survived into the present day.

Feasting

And also like all great solemnities, Epiphany was a day for great feasting. Though the dishes varied, one consistently popular custom was Kings' or Twelfth-night cake, which included a small object that identified its finder as the "king" for the day. Many countries also use this occasion for the exchange of gifts.

The Feast of the Holy Family

Held on the Sunday after Epiphany, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph holds up the domestic life of Jesus, his mother, and foster father as the perfect model for all Catholic households. As Pope Leo XIII explains, there is a lesson in this family for everyone: for fathers, for mothers, for children; for nobility (the Holy Family was from the royal house of David), for the poor (they gave up their possessions in fleeing to Egypt), and so on. There are no prescribed or uniform customs for the feast, but that does not mean no observances were made. The following is an account from Father Weiser of Holy Family Sundays at our own parish, Holy Trinity German Church, in the 1940s. The annual Holy Childhood procession, on the feast of the Holy Family, is one of the most attractive ceremonies. In former years this procession was called the "Shepherds' Procession" as the children marched through the church dressed as shepherds and shepherdesses -- a lovely relic of popular medieval piety (Holy Trinity Parish, 1844-1944, p. 37). This feast is also an ideal time to pray any of the devotions to the Holy Family that are given in the Raccolta, the Church's old official list of indulgences. The fact that many of these prayers are no longer indulgenced does not make them any less meaningful or worthy of use.

Epiphany Facts & Quotes[1]

· Epiphany Day is celebrated as a public holiday in Sweden, Finland and Iceland. Denmark and Norway do not have the day off but do hold special mass and church services. The day is also a holiday throughout much of Eastern Europe.

· Frankincense, a perfume, and myrrh, anointing oil, were traditional gifts for kings during the time of Christ. Bodies were also prepared for burial with these items. These were the gifts that the wise men brought to the baby Jesus.

· In Latin American culture, Epiphany, which means 'manifestation', is celebrated with plays and special songs that celebrate the coming of the three kings, or magi. Children place boxes of hay under their beds for the magi' camels, and in return they receive gifts.

· In some Eastern Orthodox Christian communities, Epiphany is celebrated by a procession to the nearest river, lake, or pond. The priest blesses the water and he throws a cross in the waves. People dive into the water to retrieve the cross, and the one who finds it is thought to be particularly blessed in the New Year.

· It’s a time to focus on the guiding star and the three men who out of curiosity followed the star to Jesus, - Martin Modeús of the Church of Sweden

Epiphany Top Events and Things to Do

· Take down any decorations, you should have taken these down on Knut’s Day, the day before Epiphany, but if you’ve been too busy eating, today is the day to get them down.

· Sing We Three Kings, a traditional Epiphany hymn telling the story of the magi.

· Go to an Orthodox service and witness a Epiphany procession. This often includes pageantry of colorful robes and a large bowl of water centered in the middle of the church. Churches are often decorated with flowers and greenery.

· In some Western churches, church members share king cake, similar to the pastry served on Mardi Gras in New Orleans. A coin or bean is cooked into the cake, and whoever receives them gets to wear a crown for a day.

· Watch a Christmas themed movie. Our favorites include
1) Fanny and Alexander (1982), this film depicts a family in Uppsala, Sweden during the 1900s and is a national favorite.
2) Santa Claus (1990)
3) Elf (2003), Will Ferrell’s modern Christmas classic

Home Blessing for the Feast of Epiphany[2]

Today would also be a good time to honor your Father in heaven by marking your home in chalk; publicly stating who’s you are.

Every year the Carmelite Pre-novitiate Community at Carith House in Chicago on the Feast of the Epiphany blesses their home. We invite you to adopt this custom in your family. The family gathers to ask God’s blessing on their home and on those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.

A traditional way of doing this is to use chalk to write above the home’s entrance, 20 + C + M + B + 25. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross and 2025 is the year.

Blessing the Chalk

V. Our help is the name of the Lord:

R. The maker of heaven and earth.

V. The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in:

R. From this time forth for evermore.

Let us pray.

Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name that we who use it in faith to write upon the door of our home the names of your holy ones Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit our home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Instructions for Blessing the Home

Using the blessed chalk mark the lintel of your front door (or front porch step) as follows:

20 + C + M + B + 25 while saying:

The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two thousand and twenty-five years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the New Year. Amen.

Then offer the following prayer: Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen

“Chalking the door” is a way to celebrate and literally mark the occasion of the Epiphany and God’s blessing of our lives and home. With time the chalk will fade. As it does, we let the meaning of the symbols written sink into the depths of our heart and be manifest in our words and actions the Latin words, Christus mansionem benedictat, “May Christ bless the house.”

Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the Day of Judgment because as he is, so are we in this world.There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. (1 Jn 4:15-19)

Bl. Andre Bessette - Day Thirteen[3]

Brother André spent most of his days in a narrow lodge, with only a table, some chairs and a bench as furnishings. He was attentive to the needs of all, smiling, obliging. In the evening, he would engage in the difficult work of maintaining the parlor and hallway floors. He was on his knees until late at night, washing, polishing, and waxing by the dim light of a candle. — Abbey of Saint-Joseph de Clairval

The use of candles is one of the loveliest Christmas customs that we can keep on using throughout the year. Now, more than ever, Christmas is a festival of light in a dark world, a time to hold our candles high, and to teach our children all the little ceremonies which make life gracious and full of meaning. No matter how long we live, nor how learned we become, we may travel the world over, and find nothing more beautiful than candlelight on the face of a child. "Now the Lord be thanked because we have light." — Dorothy Albaugh Stickell

· Day Thirteen Activity (Candles for the Domestic Church)

· Recipe (Yule Spice Cake)

Catholic Calendar[4]

Read: The Epiphany marks the arrival of visitors, identified in Scripture as magi, to the place where Jesus was born. Although we know virtually nothing about them, we do know they brought three gifts:

· Gold, a symbol of wealth and power, identifies the recipient as a king.

· Frankincense, the crystalized resinous sap of a tree used as incense and as an offering, is symbolic of prayer.

· Myrrh, another resinous tree sap, was used in healing liniments and as an embalming ointment. Myrrh is an odd gift for a child—so, even at the beginning of Jesus' life on earth, this gift foreshadows his death.

Reflect: Practice the ancient art of Lectio Divina today and reflect on the readings on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

Pray: Say a blessing on your home on the Epiphany.

Act: Did you wish someone a Merry Christmas today?

The Christmas season continues until Sunday, which is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. An easy way to evangelize is to wish someone a Merry Christmas during the Christmas season after December 25 and explain why. The liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Epiphany: The Holy Light of the Manifestations (January 6)[5]

Traditionally today is the Feast of the Epiphany or the day the three kings presented gifts to Christ. They are an example of men who overcame great obstacles and their own fears to come and present gifts to our Lord. They also being wise men knew that they could not trust Herod when he asked them to return to him and tell him where Christ was. It is not always possible to get to a win-win situation and we must also use our wisdom as the three Kings did and know when we must fight, run, do nothing, compromise or prepare for growth. Christ reveals Himself not just to the Jews, but to the Gentiles, as the visitation of the Magi makes clear that the Light of Christ did not come to illuminate one nation but all, and so on the Feast of the Epiphany we celebrate His first manifestation (epiphaneia) to the Gentiles, the three Magi who followed His star from the East. This manifestation also leads us to consider other "firsts" -- the first manifestation of His mission at His Baptism and the first manifestation of His power at the wedding of Cana. Hence both are also remembered on the Feast of the Epiphany.

St. André Bessette

Brother André expressed a saint's faith by a lifelong devotion to Saint Joseph.

Sickness and weakness dogged André from birth. He was the eighth of twelve children born to a French-Canadian couple near Montreal. Adopted at twelve, when both parents had died, he became a farmhand. Various trades followed: shoemaker, baker, blacksmith-all failures. He was a factory worker in the United States during the boom times of the Civil War.

At twenty-five, he applied for entrance into the Congregation of the Holy Cross. After a year's novitiate, he was not admitted because of his weak health. But with an extension and the urging of Bishop Bourget, he was finally received. He was given the humble job of doorkeeper at Notre Dame College in Montreal, with additional duties as sacristan, laundry worker and messenger. "When I joined this community, the superiors showed me the door, and I remained forty years."

In his little room near the door, he spent much of the night on his knees. On his windowsill, facing Mount Royal, was a small statue of Saint Joseph, to whom he had been devoted since childhood. When asked about it he said, "Someday, Saint Joseph is going to be honored in a very special way on Mount Royal!"

When he heard someone was ill, he visited to bring cheer and to pray with the sick person. He would rub the sick person lightly with oil taken from a lamp burning in the college chapel. Word of healing powers began to spread.

When an epidemic broke out at a nearby college, André volunteered to nurse. Not one person died. The trickle of sick people to his door became a flood. His superiors were uneasy; diocesan authorities were suspicious; doctors called him a quack. "I do not cure," he said again and again. "Saint Joseph cures." In the end he needed four secretaries to handle the eighty thousand letters he received each year.

For many years the Holy Cross authorities had tried to buy land on Mount Royal. Brother André and others climbed the steep hill and planted medals of Saint Joseph. Suddenly, the owners yielded. André collected two hundred dollars to build a small chapel and began receiving visitors there smiling through long hours of listening, applying Saint Joseph's oil. Some were cured, some not. The pile of crutches, canes and braces grew.

The chapel also grew. By 1931 there were gleaming walls, but money ran out. "Put a statue of Saint Joseph in the middle. If he wants a roof over his head, he'll get it." The magnificent Oratory on Mount Royal took fifty years to build. The sickly boy who could not hold a job died at ninety.

He is buried at the Oratory and was beatified in 1982. On December 19, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI promulgated a decree recognizing a second miracle at Blessed André’s intercession and on October 17, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI formally declared sainthood for Blessed André. — Saint of the Day, Leonard Foley, O.F.M.

Things to Do:

· Read more about the life of St. André.

· Learn more about the Holy Cross Brothers, the order of which Bl. André was a member. Pray for an increase in vocations and for those who are already living the religious life.

· If you live close to St. Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, make a pilgrimage. If that's not possible make a virtual pilgrimage.

· Say a prayer for the sick who were so dear to the heart of Brother André.

· Try the recipes offered to sample authentic French-Canadian food.

Bible in a Year Day 189 Follow the Lord

Fr. Mike explains why it's important to focus on our own journey with the Lord over those around us while highlighting the leadership of King Josiah. He also reminds us how the mistakes of past kings had led Israel down a dark path. Today's readings are 2 Kings 23, 2 Chronicles 34, and Proverbs 8:1-21.

Litany of Trust

“Deliver me, Jesus, from the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute.”

This petition names a fear that often hides beneath our attempts at control—the suspicion that if we truly surrender to God, we will lose more than we gain. It is the quiet anxiety that obedience will cost too much, that letting go will leave us empty, that divine invitations will strip us of what little security we have.

Epiphany shines light on this fear.

The God who reveals Himself does not reveal scarcity; He reveals generosity.

The One who called the Magi across deserts did not abandon them in the dark.
Trust did not impoverish them; it led them to the very presence of Christ.

To pray this line is to confess that we sometimes cling to what is familiar, even when it is small, because we fear that God’s path will demand too much. But the Gospel shows that trust is not depletion—it is transformation. What we place in God’s hands is not diminished; it is made whole.

This petition invites us to release the belief that God’s will threatens our well‑being. It calls us to see that divine love does not lead us into emptiness but into a deeper fullness than we could create on our own.

To pray these words is to step into Epiphany’s light and discover that God does not lead us into destitution, but into abundance.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Restoring the Constitution

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Universal Man Plan

· Rosary

[1]http://www.wincalendar.com/Epiphany

[2]http://www.carmelites.net/news/chalking-door-epiphany-house-blessing-2015/

[3]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2021-01-06

[4]http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/christmas/christmas-january-7.cfm

[5]http://www.holytrinitygerman.org/xmascustoms.html#epiphanycustoms