Learning to be Quick to Listen

As we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany , many Catholic households are reviving the beautiful tradition of Chalking the Door. This simple "house blessing" involves using blessed chalk to write a sequence of numbers and letters above the main entrance of the home. For 2026, the inscription reads 20 + C + M + B + 26. The numbers represent the current year, while the initials C, M, and B stand for the traditional names of the three Magi—Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. Beyond the names of the Wise Men, these letters also serve as an abbreviation for the Latin blessing Christus Mansionem Benedicat, which translates to "May Christ bless this house." By marking our lintels, we are making a visible profession of faith and inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell within our walls throughout the coming year. Just as the Magi followed the star to find the Christ Child, this chalk serves as a signpost that our homes are places where Jesus is sought and adored. It is a reminder tha...

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany , a magnificent turning point in the liturgical year where the light of Christ breaks through the boundaries of Israel to shine upon all nations. While the Latin Church focuses primarily on the visitation of the Magi, the Early Church saw this "manifestation" as a multifaceted jewel. As Mike Aquilina and Adam Lucas highlight in Feasts of Our Fathers , Epiphany was originally a "varied feast" that encompassed the Birth of Christ, the visit of the Wise Men, and the Baptism of the Lord. It is a day to venerate the "mighty work" of God, acknowledging that the star which guided the pagan Magi from the East still shines today. As Pope St. Leo the Great reminds us, this miracle is repeated every time a soul is brought out of the darkness of worldly wisdom and into the splendor of the true Light through the gift of faith and intellect. The offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh are not merely historical artifacts b...

While the world often packs away the decorations on December 26th, the Catholic Church is just beginning its celebration of Christmastide . This liturgical season officially commences with the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve and extends through the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord . It is a time of profound joy and reflection, where we move beyond the initial excitement of the Nativity to contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation—God becoming man to dwell among us. During these days, the white vestments at Mass symbolize purity and light, inviting the faithful to remain in a spirit of adoration and to recognize the "Word made flesh" in our daily lives. Central to this season is the tradition of the Twelve Days of Christmas, which bridge the gap between the birth of Christ and the Solemnity of the Epiphany . Often misunderstood as a mere countdown to Christmas Day, these twelve days actually represent the festive journey toward the arrival of the Magi. Each day within the octave ...