The Solemnity of the Epiphany

The meaning of the celebration

+ The celebration of the Epiphany (“revelation”) of the Lord is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church.

+ The original celebration of the Incarnation, in the Western Church this day has come to be known as “Three Kings Day,” on which the visit of the Magi is remembered. In keeping with long-standing tradition, however, the liturgies of this day also commemorate two other moments of revelation: the Baptism of Jesus and the Wedding at Cana (see the Magnificat Antiphon for Evening Prayer II).

+ The Gospel of Matthew records that the Magi presented three gifts to the Newborn King. According to long-standing tradition, these gifts have been understood as having special spiritual significance: gold as a symbol of his royal status, frankincense in honor of his divinity, and myrrh as a recognition of the death he will suffer.

For prayer and reflection

“The Magi teach us that we need to set out anew each day, in life as in faith, for faith is not a suit of armor that encases us; instead, it is a fascinating journey, a constant and restless movement, ever in search of God, always discerning our way forward.”—Pope Francis

Spiritual bonus

On this day, the Church also remembers Saint Giuse (Joseph) Tuan. A married layman and father, he was murdered during the persecutions of Christians under Tu Duc, after refusing to trample on a cross to prove that he was not a Christian. He was martyred on January 7, 1862, and is honored among the Martyrs of Vietnam.

Prayer

O God, who on this day
revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations
by the guidance of a star,
grant in your mercy, that we, who know you already by faith,
may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.