St. Mary's Catholic Church 

The Gospel at the Epiphany Mass tells of wiseman (magi) who travelled far, following a star, to find Jesus---the new King---and give Him homage and gifts.

Epiphany means manifestation or showing. This feast, celebrates that Jesus, the Messiah, has been shown to the whole world. The wisemen were gentiles (people who were not Jewish) who came from the faraway East and recognized Jesus as King. This shows that God had revealed Himself to "the nations." 

Each of the other readings relate in some way to the revelation of God to the world.

Another important Epiphany is the baptism of Jesus when the Trinity and Jesus' identity were revealed. God the Father declared Jesus to be his Son, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove. In a third Epiphany, Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding of Cana, manifesting his power and identity.

Catechism about the Epiphany         Mass Readings
 

"Lord, every nation on earth will adore you."
                                        ---Responsorial for the feast of Epiphany

Epiphany Mass During the Day (12th day of Christmas but celebrated on Sunday in USA.)

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.

All over the world, many customs and celebrations mark the Feast of Epiphany. Here are a few examples:

Epiphany Blessings

Water. On the Eve of Epiphany, a special blessing to make holy water can be used by priests. See St. Mary's event HERE.

Homes. It is traditional for homes to be blessed on Epiphany. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops published a blessing that can be used by families HERE.


Completing the Nativity Scene

Adding the wisemen to home and parish nativity scenes is common on this day (or moving them away and putting them back, if they are already there). Some families read the Bible story of the wisemen when they do this. To find the story of the wiseman and other Christmas stories, click HERE.


Epiphany Parties and Food

Epiphany is a traditional day to have a party! People celebrate the Christmas season and this feast with food, Epiphany carols, (like "Oh, Come all Ye Faithful") and sometimes the giving of little presents and the crowning of an Epiphany "king."

Food varies by culture and county, but in many places it is traditional to have cakes and breads shaped like a crown or cookies shaped like stars. In the United States, king cake is especially popular, and many regions have a favorite recipe.

Epiphany Art

Epiphany has inspired art from the earliest days of Christianity. A video of 4th century carvings housed in the Vatican Museums is HERE. 

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC includes many pieces of Christmas and Epiphany Art. Much of it is located on the main floor of the West Building. The back wall of Gallery 04 features the large, colorful, and circular "Adoration of the Magi" by Fr. Angelico and Fr Lippi.

Pictured below is a part of the carving on the choir wall of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. And the banner at the top of this page is from a mosaic in Revena, Italy.