Epiphany water

[katy]

Our fine FSSP priest put out Epiphany water, which he recommended us all to use. I am embarrassed to say I have no idea what this is or how to use it. I am new to all this and would like to use all the ways I can for spiritual benefit. So what do I do with it? How is it different from regular holy water, which I don’t know what to do with either? I suppose I could ask him, but feel like such a dork.

 

[Trevelyan]

I don’t know what it is either, but I’d just ask him - I don’t think he’d think you were a dork! I’m sure he’d be happy to explain Epiphany water and Holy Water.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I have never heard of it before. However, I think it might be specially blessed in conjunction with the Commemoration of the Baptism of Jesus by John. I think the Eastern Churches may have some celebration along that line.

 

[Annunciata]

I have never heard of it before. However, I think it might be specially blessed in conjunction with the Commemoration of the Baptism of Jesus by John. I think the Eastern Churches may have some celebration along that line.

that’d be my guess too…

 

[Eireann]

Our priest said yesterday it was special because it was used throughout the year in the Baptismal font.

Also he said that it was like a tributary to the river Jordan, so you can think of every Baptismal font around the world as being linked to the Jordan.

Or rather (sorry) he meant the Baptismal font could be likened to a tributary to the Jordan, not sure if Epiphany water was added to the font.

 

[Annunciata]

Our priest said yesterday it was special because it was used throughout the year in the Baptismal font.

Also he said that it was like a tributary to the river Jordan, so you can think of every Baptismal font around the world as being linked to the Jordan.

That’s really nice…this is the first time that I’ve heard of it…

 

[katy]

I do think he said something about the baptism of John in connection with it.

 

[kitkatty]

that’d be my guess too…

Good guess, Byzantine Catholic`s bless all the waters for use on Epiphany[Theophany in Eastern Catholic and Orthodox] and also homes are traditionally blessed for the year on this day with holy water.

 

[katy]

And how does one do that? Slosh it around, fling from a branch, what?

 

[mommyof4]

And how does one do that? Slosh it around, fling from a branch, what?

I read on another thread that a person uses spray bottles to bless their home with holy water. I think that’s a good idea!

 

[CathMass]

I read in The MARYFAITHFUL magazine that Epiphany Water was blessed for Epiphany and I think it takes four hours to bless.I think its just like Holy Water but a special kind of Holy Water.

 

[katy]

I think the priest said it took 45 minutes, anyway. So, then it must be somewhat different from regular holy water?

 

[Woodstock]

Epiphany means Christ’s revelation or manifestation of his divinity and therefore of the Trinity. In his baptism, we have a revelation that this is not just an ordinary man. The Father (this is my Son…) and the Holy Spirit (who descended on him in the form of a dove) are both revealed. Each year on Epiphany Day (also called Theophany), the church commemorates Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan with a solemn blessing of waters and a feast.

The water is used throughout the year for baptisms, blessings, and personal devotion. The priests bless the houses of their congregants with the water each year. Many people choose to break their fast with the water by taking a small amount each morning with their prayers.

You can read about the actual prayers for blessing the water, the traditions for the day, and more here:
byzantines.net/feasts/epiphany.htm

A house blessing:
catholicculture.org/lit/prayers/view.cfm?id=49

I would recommend a branch from the Christmas tree to use for the aspersion. Otherwise, your fingers are fine.

 

[LaudemGloriae]

just thought I’d bump this old thread. when I noticed the Holy Water font was in the front of church the other day, they let me know it was up there for the Epiphany blessing (old rite) and I was reminded of hearing about this here

auxiliumchristianorum.org/faq.html

Holy water: the use of old rite holy water is more efficacious than new rite holy water, based upon the nature of the prayers of the blessing. This does not mean that the new rite holy water is inefficacious; it simply is not as efficacious. In the absence of holy water blessed using the old ritual, one should make use of holy water blessed using the new ritual. Holy water may be used to spread around everywhere in houses, on people and on things; it may also be consumed by those who are having problems. Epiphany water is even more efficacious because of the fact that it undergoes a twofold exorcism.