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The object of the Feast of the Epiphany is threefold :
The mystery of the Wise Men who, guided by a star,
came from the East to adore the divine kingship of the
Babe of Bethlehem ; the mystery of the Baptism of
Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan,
when the
eternal Father proclaimed Him the true Son of God ;
lastly, the mystery of the divine power, manifested at
the marriage feast of Cana, by the changing of the
water into wine. These mysteries are closely connected
one with the other and, taken together, form a complete
of our divine Saviour. These three manifes
Epiphany
tations are recalled to our memory,
first of all in the
Office of the Epiphany in the antiphons of the Bene-
dictus and the Magnificat. But it is the adoration of
the Magi which is particularly celebrated in the greater
part of this same Office and of the Mass, on the Feast
of the Epiphany. On the Octave of the Epiphany, there
is a special mention of the Baptism of our Lord, whilst
on the second Sunday after this Feast, the miracle
of the marriage of Cana is commemorated.
At the time of our Lord s coming, mankind was
divided into two races : the Jews, heirs to the promises
made to Abraham and guardians of the deposit of the
prophets ; the nations or gentiles, that far more con
siderable portion of mankind which comprised the peoples
who knew not the true God, His laws, His worship, or
His promises.
The Messias who was to be the Saviour of all men,
manifested Himself to both one and the other. After
having manifested Himself to the shepherds of Beth
lehem who were the representatives of the Jewish people,
He wished to manifest Himself to the Magi, the first
fruits of the gentile nations. When they came into the
presence of the divine Infant, the Magi prostrated them-