Epiphany 2022

Today in the Archdiocese of Hartford, we celebrated the Feast of Epiphany. In anticipation of the Feast my mother gave us a special gift. She long has had a star which she has displayed at her farm. In the past she tied it to a tree and hoped one day to build a Nativity scene to display under it. On New Year's eve she had a surprise. She gifted us the star. We put the star over our nativity inside. It was magnificent and cast a beautiful light on the Holy Family.

Today on the Feast of the Epiphany we moved the star outside so many could see it. Interesting as the kids and I walked to Mass we could hear the Church bells chiming to the song "Star of Wonder". The same song was sung at Mass and then tonight Bishop Keenan led his nightly Rosary and concluded with the same song. It is beautiful how Divine Providence can see to bring a star to the crib of Jesus on the beautiful Feast of the Epiphany!

A Journey to Bring the Baby Jesus to the Children

On the evening of the Feast of the Holy Family, Tran set out on bicycle to bring the baby Jesus to the children in Suoi Sao orphanage. The distance was far but he wanted to bring the Baby Jesus to them. He knew they would be gathering soon for their Children's Rosary at 7PM local time as they do each evening. 

It was already dark and much of the road was rough and bumpy.  The children did not know Tran was coming. But they had many lights set up to decorate their orphanage for Christmas.  To their surprise Tran arrived with the baby Jesus. 

The Baby had made the trip safely placed in hay in a basket.  Quickly candles were set up to lead to the place where they laid Him. 

The children took turns coming to tuck their intentions on slips of paper under the Baby Jesus. 

They knelt in prayer of the Rosary as they do each night in their Children's Rosary prayer group. Though tonight was special. They were all gathered around Our Lord. There was a special icon of the Holy Family near them.  In the dark they prayed. The children brought roses to place before the Baby Jesus. 

Then each received several prayer cards as gifts. These had been sent in the box carrying the Baby Jesus. None knew that Our Lord had arrived with considerable damage.  All had been healed and put back together. Tran's grandmother was very kind to take a piece of cloth and sew a little outfit for the Baby Jesus that concealed all the cracks from when he lay in pieces.  Indeed to the children He was perfect. They took turns kissing him as he lay on his bed of hay. 

Some of the girls scooped him up and held Him...smiling as you see this little one doing. 

What joy must be in the heart of Our Lord to see such innocent little children tenderly caring for him. Treasuring the special time on the beautiful Feast of the Holy Family.  These children have no parents they are orphans.  Tran shares that for these children Our Blessed Mother is the mother they do not have now. So for them She is so very important to them. Their love is growing always stronger as they continue to pray.  Tran wishes the children could have parents here but through prayer they find love.

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Feast of the Holy Family

Just a year ago, before the Feast of the Holy Family Our Holy Father spoke of the importance of prayer in our families.  

Our Holy Father  at the Crib of Jesus
Reuters picture

Benedict XVI December 28th 2011 “Our continuing catechesis on prayer leads us, during this Christmas season, to reflect on the place of prayer in the life of the Holy Family of Nazareth. In the home of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we learn to contemplate the mystery of God’s presence and to grow as faithful disciples of Christ. The Gospels present Mary as the supreme model of prayerful meditation on the mysteries of Christ’s life; in praying the Rosary, in fact, we unite ourselves to her contemplation of those mysteries in faith and hope. Saint Joseph fulfilled his vocation as the father of the Holy Family by teaching Jesus the importance of quiet fidelity to work, prayer and observance of the precepts of the Law. Jesus’ unique relationship with his heavenly Father was reflected in the prayer life of the Holy Family and stands at the heart of all Christian prayer. May the example of the Holy Family inspire all Christian families to be schools of prayer, where parents and children alike come to know that closeness to God which we joyfully celebrate in these days of Christmas.”

The Catechism echoes Our Holy Father’s directives regarding prayer in the family.

“Through the grace of the sacrament of marriage, parents receive the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children”. (Catechism 2225)  When should this evangelization begin?  The catechism is clear that it should start at an early age: “Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the ‘first heralds’ for their children. They should associate them from their tenderest years with the life of the Church”.(Catechism 2225)

The Children’s Rosary has dedicated this year to Renewal of Family Prayer.  To this end we have offered 31 Masses for the intention of Renewal of Family prayer.  Over 660 novenas to different saints have been said praying for renewal of family prayer.  Close to 400 Children’s Bibles have been given out to families to assist them in renewing family prayer in their homes.  Countless rosaries have been said in by children at their parent's knee that renewal of family prayer will spread across the globe.  On this Feast of the Holy Family may Our Lord bless each one of our families with a spirit of prayer. Amen. 

Getty Image- St. Peter's Square on Christmas Eve