Dear families and friends at Saint Raymond’s!
As we begin the New Year 2021 (providentially dedicated to Saint Joseph, the patron of the universal Church and the patron of the family), I invite you to take part in old traditions of “Chalking the Door” and “Rosca de Reyes” to celebrate the Epiphany, the day that marks the arrival of the magi, to the place where Jesus was born! The Epiphany will be celebrated on Sunday, January 3 (typically celebrated on January 6) as the 12th day of Christmas and we will be equipping you with the prayers, chalk, holy water and salt for your own celebration! Be sure to join us!
“Chalking the Door”
“Chalking the door” is a sign and symbol of asking God’s blessing upon those who live, work, or visit throughout the coming year. In Exodus, the Israelites marked their doors with blood so that the Lord would pass over their homes; but in this service, we mark our doors with chalk as a sign that we have invited God’s presence and blessing into our homes.
In Deuteronomy 6:9 God tells the people of Israel: “These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house… You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Chalking the door is a tangible way to honor God in our lives.
How to Participate
1. Using the blessed chalk (which we will provide), write on the outside of your house or inside above the front main entrance, above or next to an entrance: 20 + C + M + B + 21.
2. Pray: Lord God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who live here and all who visit. May we be blessed with health, kindness of heart, gentleness and the keeping of your law. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our love for each other may go out to all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The letters C M B come from the traditional names for the three kings: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. It is also an abbreviation for “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” which means, “May Christ bless this dwelling!” The first and last numbers simply refer to the current year.
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“Rosca de Reyes”
Another beautiful tradition this time of the year is the “Rosca de Reyes”, a traditional Mexican bread adorned with dried and candied fruits symbolizing the crowns of the kings, and baked in the form of a ring representing the Wise Men’s search for the King of the Jews. It is believed that Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar traveled to Jerusalem following a star, and the day when they found the Baby Jesus (known as Epiphany) is precisely the event represented by the “Rosca de Reyes”.
How to Participate
Here at Saint Raymond’s, you are invited to bring your “rosca” on Sunday at the 10AM Spanish to be blessed, and later shared with your families living in the same household or social bubble. And make sure to still observe the tradition amidst the restrictions of the pandemic – whoever gets the baby Jesus figures will be the godfather or godmother host the Candlemas fellowship on February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
Peace and blessings,
Fr. Erick