By Jaimie Julia Winters
The Christmas season officially ends on Jan. 6 with the Feast of the Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day. For Catholics, this great feast celebrates the visit of the Magi or wise men to the infant Jesus, and it also commemorates Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist, Father Joe Mancini said.
At St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church, Father Mancini will bless holy water and chalk, available at all Masses on Jan. 4 for those who wish to bless their homes. That same day at 2:30 p.m., the Three Kings will visit St. Stephen’s Church to share the story of their journey to the newborn King. This interactive presentation—offered in both English and Spanish—will give children and adults a chance to learn, listen, and ask questions. The Magi’s gifts to Jesus—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—will also be explained, Father Mancini said. This event has become a cherished annual tradition at St. Stephen’s.
Father Mancini said parish volunteers have prepared 400 bags of chalk, holy water, and a blessing for parishioners to take home. After receiving the blessed chalk, families may mark their doorways with the Epiphany blessing, written this year as 20 + C + M + B + 26. The letters represent the names of the Magi—Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar—flanked by the year. The numbers and letters form a prayer asking Christ to bless the home and all who enter it. Families typically gather at the main entrance while prayers are said for God’s protection throughout the year.
In many Latin American traditions, on the Feast of the Epiphany, children leave their shoes out overnight with grass and water for the camels of the Three Kings. By morning, the Magi are said to have filled the shoes with candy and small gifts.
However it is celebrated, the Feast of the Epiphany marks Christ’s “shining forth” to the world and invites believers to begin the new year reflecting his light, love, and compassion.