January 6, Last day of the Christmas Season
SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY
From left: 'Adoration of the Magi', 13th-century mosaic, Sta. Maria Maggiore; painting by Bartolo di Fredi; Russian icon of the Theophany; prayer-card image of the 'Adoration'.
The Epiphany on the twelfth day after Christmas celebrates the manifestation of Jesus to the world. In the Western Church, it is symbolized by the adoration of the Magi; in the Eastern churches, it is represented by the Baptism of Christ - the Theophany, or his manifestation as the Son of God. In some countries following the Latin rite (as in the USA), the Epiphany is now celebrated on the first Sunday following January 1, which is today this year.
Readings for today's Mass: www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010613.cfm
January 6 is also the feast day of a recently canonized saint.
st. ANDRE BESSETTE (Canada, 1845-1937), Priest
The eighth of 12 children born to a poor Montreal family, the sickly Andre nonetheless
worked as farmhand, shoemaker, blacksmith, baker, and factory worker before applying
to the Congregation of the Holy Cross (CSC). He was first refused ordination because
of his poor health, but he was finally ordained at age 28 and was assigned to be
a doorman and general go-fer at the CSC's Notre Dame College, a job he would hold for
40 years. A lifelong devotee of St. Joseph, he used oils from votive candles to the saint
on visits to the sick. Miraculous cures started being attributed to the oil, particularly
during an epidemic, attracting pilgrims in ever-growing numbers. In 1904, Andre started
a small chapel to St. Joseph with $220 in contributions. Meanwhile, the CSC acquired
the property on Mount Royal near the college. In 1924, construction began on St. Joseph
Oratory, completed in 1967 as Canada's largest church, with the world's third largest
dome, next to St. Peter's. When Brother Andre died at age 92 in 1937, a million people
came to view his remains. Today, the Oratory gets at least 2 million visitors every year.
Brother Andre was beatified in 1992, and was canonized by Benedict XVI in October 2010.
AT THE VATICAN TODAY
The Holy Father presided at the Eucharistic celebration at St. Peter's Basilica this morning to mark
the Solemnity of the Epiphany, during which he ordained four new archbishops, including his personal secretary
and new Prefect of the Pontifical Household, Georg Gaenswein.
Sunday Angelus - The Holy Father reflected on the manifestation of Jesus to the world, not just to Israel,
symbolized by the visit to the Baby Jesus by the Magi. He also took note that the Orthodox Churches will celebrate
the Nativity tomorrow, and that in Italy, the Church marks the Day for Missionary Children, who are actively
involved in speaking about Jesus to other children of their age.
@Pontifex 1/6/13
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 06/01/2013 20:00]