Events

Novena to the Magi in anticipation of the Epiphany
This Novena is especially prayed beginning on 28 December (the Feast of the Holy Innocents)
and ending on 5 January (the Vigil of the Epiphany).

At Thy birth, O Jesus, a star of wondrous splendor shone forth in the Eastern skies and led to Bethlehem the Magi, those envoys of far-distant, pagan peoples, even as the Angel, bathed in heavenly light, was summoning to Thy manger the shepherds, as representatives of the chosen people. For the Gentiles as well as the Jews, must needs recognize in Thee, a poor and helpless Infant, the Almighty King of Ages, the Savior of mankind. Neither scepter nor diadem disclosed Thy kingly state; no sweet harmonies, no hosts of angels mustering around Thy crib revealed Thy divine nature; but the star shining above Thy wretched stable pointed to the Heavens, the earth, and the entire universe as Thine absolute possessions; even as the Magi, who at the inspiration of Thy grace, coming promptly from afar, caring naught for dangers, overcoming every difficulty, and embracing every sacrifice, reached Thy feet and kneeling in reverence offered Thee gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Thirsting for God, they had gone eagerly in search of Thee, and Thou did reveal Thyself to them in a wonderful manner, while still in Thy crib, filling them with joy and transforming them into the first messengers of Thy glories to the peoples of the East.

After the appearance of the star, which sufficed to render the Magi Thy ardent followers, O Jesus, did Thou demonstrate Thy divinity! Yet what darkness still overshadows our poor minds! How reluctantly our wills give way to the loving impulses of Thy grace, even when they do not openly resist Thee! Give us, therefore, O Jesus, the strength to reply ever promptly and generously to Thy call, and grant that the divine light of faith, which was enkindled by Thee within us while still in our cradles, may ever accompany us on the road of life, until, blessed at last in Heaven, we shall be able to fix our eyes upon Thee in the light of glory.

December 28th:
O holy Magi! Who lived in continual expectation of the rising of the Star of Jacob, which would announce the birth of the true Sun of justice; obtain for us an increase of faith and charity, and the grace to live in continual hope of beholding one day the light of heavenly glory and eternal joy.
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.

December 29th:
O holy Magi! who at the first appearance of the wondrous star left thy native country to go and seek the newborn King of the Jews; obtain for us the grace of corresponding with alacrity to every divine inspiration.
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.

December 30th:
O holy Magi! who regarded neither the severity of the season, nor the inconveniences of the journey that ye might find the newborn Messiah; obtain for us the grace not to allow ourselves to be discouraged by any of the difficulties which may meet us on the way of salvation.
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.

December 31st:
O holy Magi, who, when deserted by the star in the city of Jerusalem, sought humbly, and without human respect, from the rulers of the Church, the place where ye might discover the object of thy journey; obtain for us grace to have recourse, in faith and humility, in all our doubts and perplexities to the counsel of our superiors, who hold the place of God on earth.
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.

January 1st:
O holy Magi, who were gladdened by the reappearance of the star which led thee to Bethlehem; obtain for us from God the grace, that, remaining always faithful to Him in afflictions, we may be consoled in time by His grace, and in eternity by His glory.
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.

January 2nd:
O holy Magi, who, entering full of faith into the stable of Bethlehem, prostrated thyselves on the earth, to adore the newborn King of the Jews, though he was surrounded only by signs of poverty and weakness; obtain from the Lord for us a lively faith in the real presence of Jesus in the blessed Sacrament, the true spirit of poverty, and a Christ-like charity for the poor and suffering.
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.

January 3rd:
O holy Magi, who offered to Jesus Christ gold, incense, and myrrh, thereby recognizing Him to be at once King, God, and Man; obtain from the Lord for us the grace never to present ourselves before Him with empty hands; but that we may continually offer to Him the gold of charity,
the incense of prayer, and the myrrh of penance and mortification.
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.

January 4th:
O holy Magi, who, when warned by an angel not to return to Herod, traveled back to thy country by another road; obtain for us from the Lord, the grace that, after having found Him in true repentance, we may avoid all danger of losing Him again.
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.

January 5th:
O holy Magi, who were first among the Gentiles called to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and who persevered in the faith till thy deaths, obtain for us of the Lord the grace of living always in conformity to our baptismal vows, ever leading to a life of faith; that like thee we may attain to the beatific vision of that God Who now is the object of our faith.
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..