We Three Kings of Orient Are

Epiphany Proclamation:

Dear brothers and sisters,
the glory of the Lord has shone upon us,
and shall ever be manifest among us,
until the day of his return.

Through the rhythms of times and seasons
let us celebrate the mysteries of salvation.

Let us recall the year's culmination,
the Easter Triduum of the Lord:
his last supper, his crucifixion, his burial,
and his rising celebrated
between the evening of the ninth day of April
and the evening of the eleventh day of April,
Easter Sunday being on the twelfth day of April.

Each Easter -- as on each Sunday --
the Holy Church makes present the great and saving deed
by which Christ has forever conquered sin and death.
From Easter are reckoned all the days we keep holy.

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent,
will occur on the twenty-fifth day of February.

The Ascension of the Lord will be commemorated on the twenty-first day of May.

Pentecost, joyful conclusion of the season of Easter,
will be celebrated on the thirty-first day of May

And, this year the First Sunday of Advent will be
on the twenty-ninth day of November.

Likewise the pilgrim Church proclaims the Passover of Christ
in the feasts of the holy Mother of God,
in the feasts of the Apostles and Saints,
and in the commemoration of the faithful departed.

To Jesus Christ, who was, who is, and who is to come,
Lord of time and history,
be endless praise, forever and ever.

Amen.

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20 + C + M + B + 09

Christus Mansionem Benedicat

(May Christ bless this dwelling place)

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Polish, Slovak, Russian and German tradition is to use blessed chalk on the doorposts of the home at Epiphany. People are invited to inscribe the lintel of the home (the horizontal frame above the door) with the inscription shown on the reverse. The letters C M B come from the traditional (9th century) names for the "three kings" - Caspar, Melchior & Balthazar.

O God,
by your heavenly star,
you guided the Wise Men
to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

May your blessing come to rest on our home and all of us.
Make our lives wise with your wisdom,
true to your teaching,
and enlivened by your love.
May your Word made flesh
make his home among us. Amen.

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print your own Three Kings House Blessing Card for Epiphany by copying above