We had an Epiphany!

Posted by: Deacon Billy Dodge

6 January 2015

January 6^th, the Twelfth Day of Christmas, is the traditional date for celebrating the Epiphany. Definition of epiphany: a manifestation of a divine being. Who is the divine being? Jesus Christ! Who is Jesus being manifested to? The Magi (a.k.a. Three Kings or Wise Men). Why is this day a big deal? Because the Magi are Gentiles. In the past God was only manifesting Himself to the Jewish people. Now He is showing Himself to the Gentiles. And who are the Gentiles? We are! The Magi represent us. Jesus is making God present to us! So this is a great day of celebration for the Church. In fact, many Italians exchange Christmas gifts on this day in imitation of the Magi who gave the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus.

My highlight for January 6 was attending the Epiphany Mass celebrated by Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica. Mass began at 10 A.M. Being hardcore Pope Francis fans we got there at 8 A.M. so we could get prime seating.

After Mass St. Peter’s Square was packed. It seemed as if everyone and their mother came for the Angelus, which includes a short message from Pope Francis and a papal blessing. It is amazing to think of how many people are impacted by our Pope.   

Another benefit of Holy Days (i.e. holidays) like Epiphany is that lunch is moved to 12:30pm because Italians usually eat at 1:30pm. Our lunch was tasty pasta, meats, and a coffee mousse dessert. The food here is great J. The rest of the day open. I made a pilgrimage to a couple beautiful churches to pray for people back home who asked for prayers. Fr. Carl, who is our professor, and some of my classmates went to the deacon ordination of men preparing to become priests for the Missionaries of Charity. And other classmates did exciting things like taking a nap.

Like us, I hope you have a blessed Epiphany!