The Gentiles meet the Star Born!

The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord

Picture: Mary Sinead Cards

The Magi

Now as at all times I can see in the mind's eye,   

In their stiff, painted clothes, the pale unsatisfied ones   

Appear and disappear in the blue depths of the sky   

With all their ancient faces like rain-beaten stones,   

And all their helms of silver hovering side by side,   

And all their eyes still fixed, hoping to find once more,   

Being by Calvary's turbulence unsatisfied,   

The uncontrollable mystery on the bestial floor.

William Butler Yeats

It's true! Reception of the host by mouth only at all Vatican Masses

I am just back from a shattering five days in Rome, more of which, in future posts (as soon as I can get my Technical Director aka Wife, to download the pics).
We attended the Papal Mass on the Feast of the Epiphany a very wonderful and interesting experience it was indeed.
I do not know how many people St Peter's can accommodate but it was close to being full for the 10am Mass.
As we waited for Mass to begin (a 70 minute wait as we had arrived early to ensure a decent vantage point) we watched the Cardinals, Bishops and Monsignori of the faith as they busied up and down the aisle.
But the real ground breaking event (after the Mass itself) was that, at Communion, some 60 or 70 priests processed down the nave, each accompanied by an acolyte. They positioned themselves along the nave on both sides and began to distribute the Blessed Sacrament. Due to the crush of people, it was impossible to kneel but what immediately became apparent was the fact that no one, no one in that crowd of many thousands, was allowed to receive by hand. If anyone tried to place their hands in front of their mouths (blocking the priest's hand) they were told off in no uncertain terms by the acolytes. Wonderful to behold!

And so, the message is pretty well clear for all to see and comprehend........

THE HOLY FATHER WOULD LIKE ALL BISHOPS TO INSTRUCT THEIR PARISH PRIESTS TO DO THE SAME. IT IS NOT AN ORDER BUT IT IS A VERY OBVIOUS STEER AS TO HOW HOLY COMMUNION SHOULD BE DISTRIBUTED.

All of those priests who distributed the sacrament must feel compelled to go back to their parishes and commence implementing the practice....or am I just too much of an optimist?

EPIPHANY CHALK - A BLESSING ON YOUR HOME!

I mentioned in an earlier post about the practice of Epiphany Chalk which takes place, obviously enough, on the 6th January.

This is a great Catholic custom and I am covering it now in order to allow priests who have not invoked it before, to prepare and accustom themselves with this simple ceremony which results in the blessed chalk being  handed over to their parishioners for completion of the blessing on their own thresholds. The details below are courtesy of Vultus Christi.

Epiphany Blessing of Chalk and of Homes

Epiphany Inscription Over the Doorway of the Home
20 + C + M + B + 11
The letters have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. They also abbreviate the Latin words “Christus mansionem benedicat.” “May Christ bless the house.” The letters recall the day on which the inscription is made, as well as the purpose of blessing.
The crosses represent the protection of the Precious Blood of Christ, whom we invoke, and the holiness of the Three Magi sanctified by their adoration of the Infant Christ. The inscription is made above the front door, so that all who enter and depart this year may enjoy God’s blessing. The month of January still bears the name of the Roman god Janus, the doorkeeper of heaven and protector of the beginning and end of things. This blessing “christens” the ancient Roman observance of the first month. The inscription is made of chalk, a product of clay, which recalls the human nature taken by the Adorable and Eternal Word of God in the womb of the Virgin Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
To bless your home this Epiphany, read the Prologue of Saint John’s Gospel, followed by the Our Father, and the Collect of the Epiphany; then write the inscription for this year above your front door with blessed chalk.I will bless chalk at the end of Holy Mass on the Epiphany, after the Postcommunion and before the Dismissal, using the traditional text as translated by Father Weller:

Blessing of Chalk
V. Our help is the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
Bless, O Lord God, this creature chalk
to render it helpful to your people.
Grant that they who use it in faith
and with it inscribe upon the doors of their homes
the names of your saints, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar,
may through their merits and intercession
enjoy health of body and protection of soul.
Through Christ our Lord.
And the chalk is sprinkled with Holy Water.

I first witnessed this as practiced by FSSP priests in various parishes in the Melbourne Diocese in Australia; it is a great custom and I hope priests will introduce it in 2011.