Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. This feast is commonly known as Three Kings’ Day and belongs to the oldest Christian celebrations. It has been observing since the end of the second century, even before Christmas was celebrated. The word ‘Epiphany’ comes from Greek and means “manifestation’ or ‘showing forth’. It is held on January 6th but in some regions, including Canada, is transferred to the Sunday that falls between January 2nd and 8th. This year January 6th falls on Sunday so all the local Churches celebrate together.
On this feast the Church reminds the faithful that Jesus Christ came to be revealed to all the nations and the salvation that He brought is available for everyone. This is inseparably connected with the missionary work of the Church for Christ’s mission is to be continued by His Church and the Gospel has to be proclaimed to all peoples as the Lord commended His disciples. Although we say about the three kings or three wise men that visited Baby Jesus, the Gospel neither says that there were three people nor they were kings nor calls them wise. The Gospel calls them magi and their number, origin and time of the visit remain unknown. On the other hand, in Cologne, Germany, the relics of the Three Kings are kept in a beautiful golden reliquary in St. Peter’s Cathedral.

Pope Francis asks the faithful to pray this month for the intentions of the Evangelization, that young people, especially in Latin America, follow the example of Mary and respond to the call of the Lord to communicate the joy of the Gospel to the world.
On Saturday, January 12th we observe a memorial of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys. She was the French founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal in the colony of New France, now part of Québec. She lived in Fort Ville-Marie (now Montreal) as of 1653, educating young girls, the poor, and natives until her death on January 12th, 1700. She is also significant for developing one of the first uncloistered religious communities in the Catholic Church. She was canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 1982. There are numerous stories associated with the time preceding her death. One of them says that a priest on the day following her departure wrote these words: ”If saints were canonized as in the past by the voice of the people and of the clergy, tomorrow we would be saying the Mass of St. Marguerite of Canada”. Her shrine is located in the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel in the district of Old Montreal in Montreal, Québec.

God bless,
Father Peter