Catholic Prayer: Epiphany Prayers
Description:
For the families that do not have an Epiphany home service, the following evening prayers are appropriate. Included is a short hymn for children.
The feast of manifestation, or Epiphany, is traditionally celebrated the 12th day after Christmas, January 6th. In the dioceses of the United States this feast has been moved to the Sunday between January 2 and January 8.
Prayer:
Father: Christ has appeared among us.
All: Come, let us adore Him.
Mother: The precious gifts which the Magi brought to the Lord this day are threefold, and they are signs of divine mysteries. By gold the power of the King is signified, by frankincense His great priesthood, by myrrh the burial of the Lord.
All: The Magi worshipped the Author of our salvation in the crib, and of their treasures they brought to Him gifts of mystic nature.
Youngest Child: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
All: As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Father: Let us pray. O God, by the leading of a star Thou didst manifest Thine only begotten Son to the Gentiles on this day; mercifully grant that we who know Thee by faith, may be brought to contemplate the beauty of Thy majesty. Through the same Jesus Christ Thy Son.
All: Alleluia.
The following hymn serves well as a conclusion. Additional verses may be composed by members of the family.
The Wise Men tune Jesu Dulcis MemoriaFrom The Story of the Redemption for Children [Catholic Culture Editor's Note: This is now available online as a .pdf file from Musica Sacra]. Prayer Source: Christmas to Candlemas in a Catholic Home by Helen McLoughlin, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MinnesotaNow there appeared a brilliant Star Which led the wise Men from afar. They came and, kneeling down, adored And offered gifts to Christ, the Lord.
