Month of the Holy Name

January is the month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. The Feast day is on the 3rd day of the month. This Feast was originally celebrated on January 2. In the liturgical revisions of Vatican II, this Feast was removed. With the release of the revised Roman Missal in March 2002, the Feast was restored as an Optional Memorial on January 3.

” At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, of those in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

The Solemnity of the Epiphany in old rite is celebrated on January 6th, and on the Sunday after January 1st for Novus Ordo. This Feast encompasses three main events that manifested the mission and divinity of Christ:  the Visit of the Magi (Three Kings), the Baptism of Our Lord and the Miracle at the Wedding in Cana.

The Magi brought Christ the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold symbolized kingship of Our Lord. Frankincense symbolizes the Christ’s divinity. Myrrh to honor the Jesus who came in flesh to give His life as a sacrifice for many.

Baptism of the Lord is the Lord’s second manifestation to the world, after the visit from the Magi. John the Baptist prepared the world for Christ’s coming, calling for the repentance of sins. Christ’s baptism fulfills John’s work and began His public ministry. Our Lord submitted himself to Baptism in order to invite us to share his relationship with the Father announced from Heaven. This Feast brings to an end the season of Christmas. Ordinary Time lasts from the day after Our Lord's Baptism to the Tuesday before Lent. The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord is observed on January 12 this year.

The miracle at the Wedding in Cana is known as the first miracle the Lord Jesus Christ performed. Christ reminds Our Lady that the time for His manifestation to the world has not yet come. Nonetheless, He does not deny her demand. The wedding at Cana becomes a revelation both of Jesus' messianic identity and his divine identity.