Sunday 2 January 2011

Epiphany AD 2011

After the chanting of the Gospel today, we had the proclamation of the day of Easter and other moveable feasts (text below). This proclamation had a practical purpose, to let people know significant days of the New Year in a time when calendars were not widely available. The proclamation also has a catechetical purpose to celebrate in liturgy the profound link between the feasts of Christmas and those of Easter: the crib and the cross are integral to the Easter story.
After Mass chalk was blessed for people to bless their homes.
In the hall there was a celebration of Monica's significant birthday: Ad Multos Annos!








Catholic Graffiti: Yes, it is that day of the year when we are called to write next to our doors the Epiphany inscription. Why?
It is a sign of Christian witness. Neighbours and friends will ask you about it when they see it, and there you have an opportunity for Mission and Witness.
It invokes God’s blessing upon your home.
It is a symbol of the hospitality you are ready to give as a Christian. These graffiti originated to show that if the wise men were passing your way then there was room for them in your house.
It is a declaration that Christ has dominion over all ages and to him you dedicate this New Year.

The inscription goes thus:
20 + C + M + B + 11
Remember to take a piece of chalk with you after Mass. (CMB stand for the three wise men: Casper, Melchior and Balthazar but is also interpreted as Christus Massionem Benedicat—May Christ bless this house.)




The Proclamation of Easter
Let it be duly and solemnly noted, dearest brothers and sisters, that just as we through the bounteous mercy of God, have rejoiced in the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, likewise should we proclaim the joy of the glorious Resurrection of this same Saviour.
Ash Wednesday is to be observed on the ninth day of March, marking the beginning of the most holy Lenten fast. With great rejoicing, we will celebrate the Easter Feast of our Lord Jesus Christ on the twenty-fourth day of April. The Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ is to be celebrated on the fifth day of June, while the Solemn Feast of Pentecost is to be celebrated on the twelfth day of the month of June. The Feast of the Most Sacred Body and Blood of Christ is to be celebrated on the twenty-sixth day of June. The twenty-seventh day of November shall be the First Sunday of the Advent of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.

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