Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
I wish you a blessed Epiphany and Happy New Year of our Lord, 2024!
The month of January is dedicated to devotion to the Most Holy Name of Jesus: let us reverently pray His Holy Name and make reparation to our good Lord for the many times that His Name is spoken with irreverence, ingratitude and hatred!
It is a long tradition in the Church to make a public announcement of the upcoming Feasts and Seasons that we will celebrate. There is an established, formal announcement that is used for this occasion. Here is more information for you to learn about what we call the Epiphany Proclamation:
“The proclamation of the date of Easter and the other moveable Feasts on Epiphany dates from a time when calendars were not readily available. It was necessary to make known the date of Easter in advance, since many celebrations of the liturgical year depend on its date. The number of Sundays that follow Epiphany, the date of Ash Wednesday, and the number of Sundays that follow Pentecost are all computed in relation to Easter.
Although calendars now give the date of Easter and the other feasts in the liturgical year for many years in advance, the Epiphany proclamation still has value. It is a reminder of the centrality of the Resurrection of the Lord in the liturgical year and the importance of the great mysteries of Faith which are celebrated each year.” (from www.usccb.org) “In Cathedral and other principal Churches, after the Gospel has been sung, the approaching Feast of Easter Sunday is solemnly announced to the people. This custom, which dates from the earliest ages of the Church, shows both the mysterious connection which unites the great Solemnities of the year one with another, and the importance the Faithful ought to attach to the celebration of that which is the greatest of all, and the center of all Religion. After having honored the King of the universe on the Epiphany, we shall have to celebrate Him on the day which is now an-nounced to us, as the conqueror of death.” (Commentary from The Liturgical Year by Dom Prosper Guéranger b.1805‐d.1875)
Announcement of Easter and the moveable Feasts for 2024
Know, dear brethren, that, as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, so by leave of God's mercy, we announce to you also the joy of His Resurrection, who is our Savior.
On the 14th day of February will fall Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten Season. On the 31st day of March you will celebrate with joy Easter Day, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the 12th day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the 19th day of May, the Feast of Pentecost.
On the 2nd day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood
of Jesus Christ.
On the 1st day of December, the First Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom is honor and glory forever and ever.
Amen.
Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, St. Joseph, the three Magi, and our patrons, St. Michael and St. Paul, may God bless you, your families and our parishes!
In Christ through Mary,
Fr. Kasel
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