The ancient Church had a practice of announcing the dates of Easter as well as other feasts and fasts that do not have a fixed date. Since the Epiphany is a fixed date feast (January 6) and also the last major fixed date feast before we enter the Easter cycle which is characterized by moveable dates, it was a convenient time to proclaim the date of Easter and other moveable feasts and fasts. The Proclamation, however, announces more than dates. Ultimately, It proclaims the reality that our lives are to be lived in rhythm with and according to Jesus’ life.

Dear brothers and sisters, the glory of the Lord has shone upon us, and shall ever be manifest among us, until the day of His return.

Through the rhythms of times and seasons let us celebrate the mysteries of salvation.

Let us recall the year’s culmination, the Easter Triduum of the Lord: His Last Supper, His Crucifixion and Death, His Burial, and His Rising, celebrated between the evening of the 14th day of April and the evening of the 16th day of April, Easter Sunday being on the 17th day of April.

Each Easter—as on each Sunday—the Holy Church makes present the great and saving deed by which Christ has forever conquered sin and death. From Easter are reckoned all the days we keep holy.

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, will occur on the 2nd day of March.

The Ascension of the Lord will be commemorated on the 26th day of May.

Pentecost, the joyful conclusion of the season of Easter, will be celebrated on the 5th day of June.

And this year the First Sunday of Advent will be on the 27th day of November.

Likewise the pilgrim Church proclaims the Passover of Christ in the feasts of the holy Mother of God, in the feasts of the Apostles and Saints, and in the commemoration of the faithful departed.

To Jesus Christ, who was, who is, and who is to come, Lord of time and history, be endless praise, for ever and ever. Amen

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Epiphany House Blessing

Another Epiphany tradition is the blessing of homes either on the Feast of the Epiphany or during the weeks following. One way of doing this is with blessed chalk that is used to mark the doorway of one’s home with the following: 20 + C + M + B + 22.

The blessed home is an invitation for the Christ to be manifest to those who live in or visit the home. Happy Epiphany!