The priests are looking forward to visiting 90 homes over the coming days to impart the special Epiphany blessing, which includes sprinkling Epiphany water and incensing the house, reminding us of the gift of frankincense that the Magi gave to Our Lord. In the blessing, the priest says, among others, the following prayers:
O God, Who by the guidance of a star didst this day reveal thy Sole-Begotten Son to the Gentiles, grant that we who know Thee by faith may be brought to the contemplation of Thy heavenly majesty.Bless, + O Lord, almighty God this home that it be a shelter of health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, goodness, mildness, obedience to the commandments, and thanksgiving to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. May this blessing remain for all time upon this dwelling and to all those who live herein. Through Christ our Lord.
Traveling to the 90 homes will take the priests on nine tours totaling nearly 1,100 miles, but scattered over a few days and with the help of their kind drivers, the trips are most joyous.
Email messages have gone out Tuesday afternoon to everyone signed up to receive Epiphany blessings, advising when the priests are likely to arrive. The routes have been updated to accommodate some changes, and the maps blessings routes for Wednesday, Jan. 8, through Saturday, Jan. 11, are published below.
Wednesday, January 8
Thursday, January 9
Friday, January 10
Saturday, January 11
In the blessing, the priest says, among others, the following prayers:
O God, Who by the guidance of a star didst this day reveal thy Sole-Begotten Son to the Gentiles, grant that we who know Thee by faith may be brought to the contemplation of Thy heavenly majesty.Bless, + O Lord, almighty God this home that it be a shelter of health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, goodness, mildness, obedience to the commandments, and thanksgiving to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. May this blessing remain for all time upon this dwelling and to all those who live herein. Through Christ our Lord.
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