Author Topic: Three kings holiday (Read 2298 times)

Viva Cristo Rey · « **on:** January 06, 2014, 05:32:47 PM »

Does anyone have any information about this tradition?

We celebrate Epiphany.

Nadir · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2014, 08:40:29 PM »

Never heard of it but surely it is the same feast by a different name.

Three kings meaning the magi, of whom we do not know the number, (only that threee gifts were mentioned) and whether or not they were kings, but they know that they were "wise men from the east", i.e. gentiles.

poche · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2014, 10:45:56 PM »

It is known as the Epiphany. It used to be a holy day of obligation.

poche · « **Reply #3 on:** January 06, 2014, 10:48:17 PM »

The Solemnity of the Epiphany is celebrated either on January 6 or, according to the decision of the episcopal conference, on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8. The young Messiah is revealed as the light of the nations. Yet, as the antiphon for the Magnificat at Second Vespers reminds us, three mysteries are encompassed in this solemnity: the adoration of the Christ Child by the Magi, the Baptism of Christ and the wedding feast at Cana. Extra candles and/or lamps may be placed around the sanctuary and in other parts of the church to honor Christ revealed as the Light of the Gentiles (Ceremonial of Bishops). It is customary to replace the images of the shepherds at the crib with the three Magi and their gifts. — Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year, Msgr. Peter J. Elliott, Ignatius Press.

The feast of the Epiphany, which was kept in the East and in certain Western Churches before being observed in Rome, seems to have been originally a feast of the nativity; January 6, for those churches where it was kept, was the equivalent of Christmas (December 25) in the Roman Church. The feast was introduced at Rome in the second half of the sixth century and became the complement and, so to say, the crown of the Christmas festival.

Epiphany means manifestation. What the Church celebrates today is the manifestation of our Lord to the whole world; after being made known to the shepherds of Bethlehem He is revealed to the Magi who have come from the East to adore Him. Christian tradition has ever seen in the Magi the first fruits of the Gentiles; they lead in their wake all the peoples of the earth, and thus the Epiphany is an affirmation of universal salvation. St. Leo brings out this point admirably in a sermon, read at Matins, in which he shows in the adoration of the Magi the beginnings of Christian faith, the time when the great mass of the heathen sets off to follow the star which summons it to seek its Saviour.

That is the meaning, too, of the wonderful prophecy from Isaias which the liturgy appoints to be read in the first nocturn at Matins and at the Epistle of the Mass. This same thought of universal redemption the Church returns to as she sings, in the antiphon to the Magnificat at 2nd Vespers, applying the words to herself, of the union with Christ typified by the wedding feast at Cana, by the baptism of her children foreshadowed by that of Christ in the waters of the Jordan. Formerly the Epiphany was an additional day for solemn baptisms.

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-01-05

poche · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2014, 10:49:32 PM »

Many traditions and genuine manifestations of popular piety have been developed in relation to the Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany, which is of ancient origin and rich in spiritual content. Among such forms of popular piety, mention may be made of:

•the solemn proclamation of Easter and the principal dominical feasts; its revival in many places would be opportune since it served to make the connection between the Epiphany and Easter, and orientate all feasts towards the greatest Christian solemnity;

•the exchange of "Epiphany gifts", which derives from the gifts offered to Jesus by the three kings (cf. Mt 2,11) and more radically from the gift made to mankind by God in the birth of Emmanuel amongst us (cf. Is 7, 14; 9, 16; Mt 1, 23). It is important, however, to ensure that the exchange of gifts on the solemnity of the Epiphany retain a Christian character, indicating that its meaning is evangelical: hence the gifts offered should be a genuine expression of popular piety and free from extravagance, luxury, and waste, all of which are extraneous to the Christian origins of this practice;
•the blessing of homes, on whose lintels are inscribed the Cross of salvation, together with the indication of the year and the initials of the three wise men (C+M+B), which can also be interpreted to mean Christus Mansionem Benedicat, written in blessed chalk; this custom, often accompanied by processions of children accompanied by their parents, expresses the blessing of Christ through the intercession of the three wise men and is an occasion for gathering offerings for charitable and missionary purposes;

•initiatives in solidarity with those who come from afar; whether Christian or not, popular piety has encouraged a sense of solidarity and openness;

•assistance to the work of evangelization; the strong missionary character of the Epiphany has been well understood by popular piety and many initiatives in support of the missions flourish on 6 January, especially the "Missionary work of the Holy Child", promoted by the Apostolic See;

•the assignation of Patrons; in many religious communities and confraternities, patron saints are assigned to the members for the coming year.

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-01-05

poche · « **Reply #5 on:** January 06, 2014, 10:52:54 PM »

"There came Magi from the East to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is the newly born King of the Jєωs?. . .We have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him'" (Gospel).

Epiphany means "an apparition, or manifestation" of God becoming visible to the Gentile world. Today Jesus manifests a new "kingdom" (Introit), to which the star-light of "faith" guides all wise men (Prayer).

The Epistle is a revealing picture of the "darkness" of the Jєωιѕн Old Testament; a prophecy also of the "brightness" of Christ shining in a world where men may now "see."

The Gospel tells of the faith of the "Magik" divinely guided by the "star"; how this faith manifested itself in action by their seeking instruction from God's priests, by prostrating their very beings and offering their best treasures before the frail Babe in Mary's arms: God in homage to His new Kingship, symbol of their hearts offering love; Incense in homage to His Divinity, symbol of their minds offering adoration; Myrrh in homage to His Humanity, symbol of their bodies offering to do penance.

A truly great Feast! "Arise, be enlightened" (Epistle).

— Excerpted from My Sunday Missal, Confraternity of the Precious Blood

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-01-05#trad

Viva Cristo Rey · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2014, 04:28:20 PM »

I bring it up because the local Puerto Rican action committee
Has turned it into pagan holiday. Kids are given toys.
No mention of attending Mass or rosary.
I know different countries do have customs. But usually festivities follows Mass.
A secular holiday. It just irked me. Then I read that the new novous ordo bishop
Just bought mansion for $500,000.
The last one paid $800,000. Worse was the Philadelphia
Diocese paid bail money to bail out Monsignor Lynn while handing over cemeteries to be run by third party.

poche · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2014, 12:59:49 AM »

Actually the Epiphany is a Solemnity in the Catholic Church. In some places it is still a holy day of obligation.

Viva Cristo Rey · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2014, 11:18:18 AM »

I'm sure it's done in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican action committee made it into secular greedy event.