My Epiphany! - Diocese Of Scranton

I went to Mass with my family yesterday to a small parish in Luzerne County. The retired priest that offered up the Mass did a good job, he actually read the words written in the book and everything, unlike the normal parish priest from this particular church, whom I have seen on several occasions making stuff up as he goes along.

I sat there hoping for a good 'ole theologically sound homily from the seasoned veteran priest.

My hopes were dashed.

The Deacon, proudly wearing his rainbow colored stole proceeded to explain to us how the United States and it's penchant for racism and warfare has kept the Epiphany, or as he called it "God's Peace" at bay.

Deacon started out by reminding us that it is an election year. I thought maybe he was going to inform the congregation about voting pro life.

Instead he went on a diversity and social justice tirade.

Did you know that American hatred for Native Americans brought us the War of 1812? Never mind that pesky Britain was up to it's old tricks.
Did you know, that the US got into WWII because we were racist against Asian people? Were we racist against white Germans and Italians as well I suppose?
And again the same charge was made for Korea and Vietnam.
And of course we hate Mexicans, Muslims, and Arabs.

Not too much about the actual Epiphany, just the Deacons take on why we will never achieve God's peace.

We're all racists.

Thanks Deacon.

I'm curious if anywhere in the Diocese of Scranton if any priest OTHER than the FSSP and SSPX priests blessed Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, the Epiphany Water and Chalk? Did any of you priests set up times to go and do the traditional blessings of your parishioners homes? If not, why?

God Bless You!

Epiphany

Did you know that in many places, Epiphany remains so important that it is still a Holy Day of Obligation?

It is not in America, of course, as Americans are considered too cool to have to go to church too many days out of the year, so the Feast of the Epiphany has become movable.

"But, Traddy!" you say, "We celebrated the Epiphany this past Sunday! All is good!"

Is it? Is it really?

This past Sunday, did your priest bless gold, frankincense, myrrh, and Epiphany Water?

No?

After the Eucharist did he bless chalk?

No?

Did he offer to bless the homes of parishioners?

No?

This is just another example of all that we have lost as Catholics since Vatican Council II.

Luckily, one of things you CAN do, (besides join a Traditional parish) is to bless the house yourself if your priest has no idea what you're talking about when you ask him.

Here is the Rite of Blessing for your own homes. You will need Holy Water, blessed incense, and a censor of course. If you are the dad, be sure you say the part of the priest.

Blessing of the Home on the Feast of the Epiphany

Priest:	Peace be to this house.
All:	And to all who dwell herein
Priest:	From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.
During the Magnificat below, the room is sprinkled with holy water and incensed:
All:	My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the humility of His handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His Name. And His Mercy is from generation unto generations upon them that fear Him. He hath shewed might in His arm, He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel, His servant, being mindful of His mercy. As He spoke to our Fathers, Abraham and His seed forever.
All:	From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.
Priest:	Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead and lead us not into temptation,
All:	But deliver us from evil.
Priest:	All they from Saba shall come
All:	Bringing gold and frankincense.
Priest:	O Lord, hear my prayer.
All:	And let my cry come unto Thee.
Priest:	Let us pray. O God, who by the guidance of a star didst on this day manifest Thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we who know Thee by faith may also attain the vision of Thy glorious majesty. Through Christ our Lord.
All:	Amen
Priest:	Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee-- Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.
All:	And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light and kings in the splendor of thy rising, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee.
Priest:	Let us pray. Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Thy law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord.
Bless each room with incense and Epiphany Water. Write the Magi’s initials, connected by Crosses, and the year’s numbers over the front door with the blessed chalk, like this: 20 G+M+B 10