This feast was celebrated in the East as early as the third century and it spread to the West towards the end of the fourth century. The word "Epiphany" means "manifestation." As at Christmas it is the mystery of a God Who makes Himself visible, but it is no longer only to the Jews that He shows Himself: "It is to the Gentiles on this day that God reveals His Son" (Collect).
And Isaias in a grand vision perceives the Church under the figure of Jerusalem, where "the kings and the nations abound, the multitude who inhabit the borders of the sea and the strength of the Gentiles. They come from afar with their numerous caravans, singing the praises Of the Lord and bringing Him gold and frankincense" (Epistle) "The kings of the earth shall adore God, and all nations shall serve Him "'(Offertory).
While at Christmas we extolled the union of the divinity with the humanity of Christ, so the Epiphany celebrates the mystic union of the souls of men with Jesus.
The liturgy of this day commemorates a triple manifestation of the glory of Christ. To the worshipping Magi He appears as King of our hearts; in the Waters of the Jordan He is declared the Son of God, and at Cana He demonstrates His power over the elements. "Today the Church is united to her heavenly Spouse, for Christ has washed away her sins in the Jordan the Magi hasten with their gifts to the royal nuptials, and the guests drink with joy the water changed into wine. Alleluia."
At St. Peter's, where are the relics of the Church's first visible head, the liturgical celebration of the entry of the Gentiles into the Church takes place. "In the adoring Mass," says Pope St. Leo the Great, "let us acknowledge the first-fruits of our own calling and faith; and let us commemorate with hearts full of joy the foundations of this our blessed hope. For from this moment we have begun to enter our Heavenly patrimony."
Sources: Saint Andrew Daily Missal and the Marian Missal , 1945
Historical Feast of Saints Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar, the Three Regal Wise Men.
Missa "Ecce advenit Dominator Dominus"
Go to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS SOLEMN HIGHT MASS FOR A FIRST CLASS FEAST
INTROIT: Malachias 3: 1
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Ecce advenit Dominator Dominus: et regnum in manu ejus, et potestas, et imperium. (Ps. 71: 2 ) Deus, judicium tuum regi da: et justitiam tuam Filio regis. V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Repeat Ecce advenit Dominator Dominus...
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Behold the Lord the Ruler is come: and the Kingdom is in His Hand, and power, and dominion. (Ps. 71: 2) Give to the king Thy judgment, O God: and to the king's Son Thy justice.
v. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Repeat Behold the Lord the Ruler is come...
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Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS
COLLECT
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Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Oremus. Deus, qui hodierna die Unigenitum tuum gentibus stella duce revelasti: concede propitious; ut, qui jam te ex fide cognovimus, usque ad contemplandam speciem tuae celsitudinis perducamur. Per eumdem Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen.
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The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray.
O God, Who on this day, didst manifest Thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles by the guidance of a star: graciously grant, that we, who know Thee now by faith, may be led on even to contemplate the beauty of Thy Majesty. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
Forever and ever.
R.Amen.
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EPISTLE: Isaias 60: 1-6
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Lectio Isaiae Prophetae. Surge, illuminare, Jerusalem: quia venit lumen tuum, et Gloria Domini super te orta est. Quia ecce tenebrae operient terram, et caligo populos: super te autem orietur Dominius, et Gloria ejus in te videbitur. Et ambulabunt gentes in lumine tuo, et reges in eplendore ortus tui. Leva in circuitui oculos tuos, et vide: omnes isti congregatisunt, venerunt tibi: filii tui de sunt, venerunt tibi: filii tui de longe venient, et filiae tuae de latere surgent. Tunc videbis, et afflues, mirabitur et dilatabitur cor tuum, quando conversa fuerit ad te multitude maris, fortitude gentium vemaris, fortudo gentium venerit tibi. Inundatio camelorum operiet te, dromedarii Madian et Epha: omnes de Saba venient aurum et thus deferentes et laudem Domino annuntiantes.
Deo Gratias.
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Lessons from Isaias the Prophet. Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem: for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon Thee. For behold darkness shall cover the earth, and a mist the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light, and kings in the brightness of thy rising. Life up thy eyes round about and see: all these are gathered together: they are come to thee; thy sons shall come from afar, and thy daughters shall rise up at thy side. Then shalt thou see and abound, and thy heart shall wonder and be enlarged, when the multitude of the sea shall be converted to thee, the strength of the Gentiles shall come to thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, a=the dromedaries of Madian and Epha: all they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense and showing forth praise to the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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GRADUAL: Isaias 60: 6, 1
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Omnes de Saba venient, aurum et thus deferentes, et laudem Domino annuntiantes. V. Surge, et illuminare, Jerusalem: quia Gloria Domini super te orta est.
Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Matthew 2: 2) Vidimus stellam ejus in Oriente, et venimus cum muneribus adorare Dominium. Alleluia.
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All they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense and showing forth praise to the Lord. V. Arise and be enlightened, O Jerusalem: for the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Matthew 2: 2) We have seen His star in the East, and are come with gifts to adore the Lord. Alleluia.
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GOSPEL: Matthew 2: 1-2
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Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum.
R.Gloria tibi, Domine
Cum natus esset Jesus in Bethlehem Juda in diebus Herodis Regis, ecce Magi ab Oriente venerunt Jerosolyman, dicentes: Ubi est qui Vidmus enim stellam ejus in Oriente, et venimus adorare eum. Aduiens autem Herodes rex, turbatus est, et omnis Jerosolyma cum illo. Et congregans omnes principes sacerdotum, et scribas populi, sciscitabatur ab eis, ubi Christus nasceretur. At illi dixerunt ei: In Bethlehem Judae. Sic enim scriptum est per Prophetam: Et tu Bethlehem terra Juda, nequaquam minima es in princibus Juda: ex populum meum Israel. tunc Herodes, clam vocatis Magis, diligenter didcit ab eis tempus stellae, quae apparauit eis: et mittens ilos in Bethlehem dixit: Ite, et interrogate cillgenter de puero et cum inventertis, reuntiate mihi, ut et ego audissent regem abierunt. Et ecce stella, quam viderant in Oriente, antecedebat eos, usque dum veniens, staret supra, ubi erat puer. Videntes autem stellam, gavisi sunt gaudio mango valde. Et intrantes domum, invenerunt puerum cum Maria matre ejus (here genuflect) et procidentes adoraverunt eum. Et apertis thesauris suis obtulerunt in munera, aurum, thus, et myrrham. Et response accepto in somis, ne redirent ad Herodem, per aliam viam ad Herodem, per aliam viam reverse sunt in regionem suam.
Laus tibi Christe.
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The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
The continuation of the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
R. Glory to Thee, O Lord
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Juda in the days of King Herod, behold there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying: Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and are come to adore Him. And king Herod hearing this was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the Prophet: And thou Bethlehem, the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the Captain that shall rule My people Israel. Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them: and sending them into Bethlehem said: Go and diligently inquire after the Child, and when you have found Him, bring me word again that I also may come and adore Him. Who having heard the king went their way. And behold the star, which they had seen in the East, went before them until it came and stood over where the Child was. And seeing the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And entering into the house, they found the Child with Mary His mother, (here genuflect) and falling down they adored Him. And opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.
Praise be to Christ
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Go to Father Louis Campbell's Come, Let us Adore Him
Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE CREDO
OFFERTORY: Psalms 71: 10-11
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Reges Tharsis et insulae munera offerent: reges Arabum et Saba dona adducent: et adorabunt eum omnes reges terra; omnes gentes servient ei.
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The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents: the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts: and all kings of the earth shall adore Him: all nations shall serve Him.
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Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE OFFERTORY
SECRET
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Ecclesiae tuae, quaesumus, Domine, dona propitious intuere: quibus non jam aurum, thus, et myrrha profetur; sed quod eisdem muneribus declaratur, immolator, et sumitur Jesus Christus Filius tuus Dominus noster. Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen.
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Graciously look down, we beseech Thee, O Lord, upon the gifts of Thy Church by which gold, frankincense and myrrh are no longer laid before Thee; but he is sacrificed and received who by those very gifts was signified, Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
Forever and ever.
R.Amen.
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PREFACE For the Epiphany of Our Lord
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Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Sursum corda.
R.Habemus ad Dominum.
Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
R. Dignum et justum est.
Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi simper, et ubique gratias agree: Domine sancta, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Quia cum Unigenitus tuus in substantia nostrae mortalivatis apparuit, nova nos immortalitatis suae luce reparavit. Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, cumque omni militia celestis exercitus, hymmum gloriae tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes.
SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS...
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The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
R.We have lifted them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
R. It is meet and just.
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: for when Thine only-begotten Son was manifested in the substance of our mortal flesh, with the new light of His own Immortality He restored us. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY...
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Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE CANON OF THE MASS
COMMUNICANTES - INVOCATION OF THE SAINTS IN THE CANON
For the Epiphany of Our Lord
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Communicantes, et diem sacratissimum celebrantes, quo Unigenitus tuus in tua tecum gloria coaeternus, in veritate carnis nostrae visibiliter corporalis apparuit; sed et memoriam venerantes, in primis ejusdem gloriosae semper Virginis Mariae, Genetricis ejusdem Dei et Domini nostri Jesu Christi: sed et memoriam venerantes, in primis ejusdem gloriosae semper Virginis Mariae, Genetricis ejusdem Dei et Domini nostri Jesu Christi: sed et beatorum Apostolorum ac Martyrum tuorum, Petri et Pauli, Andreae, Iacobi, Ioannis, Thomae, Iacobi, Philippi, Bartholomaei, Matthaei, Simonis, et Thaddei: Lini, Clet, Clementis, Xysti, Cornelii, Cypriani, Laurentii, Chrysogoni, Ioannis et Pauli, Cosmae et Damianis: et omnium Sanctorum tuorum; quorum meritis, precibusque concedas, ut in omnibus protentionis tuae muniamur auxilio. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
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Communicating, and keeping this most holy day on which Thine only-begotten Son, who is coeternal with Thee in Thy glory, showed Himself in true flesh and with a visible body like unto us; and also reverencing the memory first of the same glorious Mary, ever Virgin, Mother of the same our God and Lord Jesus Christ: as also of the blessed Apostles and Martyrs Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon, and Thaddeus; Linus, Cletus, Clement, Xystus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and of all Thy Saints, through whose merits and prayers, grant that we may in all things be defended by the help of Thy protection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE CANON OF THE MASS
COMMUNION: Matthew 2: 2
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Vidimus stellam ejus in Oriente, et venimus cum muneribus adorare Dominum.
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We have seen His Star in the East, and are come with gifts to adore the Lord.
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POSTCOMMUNION
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Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Oremus.
Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus: ut quae solemni celebramus officio, purificatae mentis intelligentia consequadmur.
Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen.
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The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that by a purified mind we may attain to the understanding of that which we solemnly celebrate.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
For ever and ever.
R. Amen.
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Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS CONCLUSION OF THE HOLY MASS
Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord
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Double of the First Class FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD 
