Catholic Family Devotions

Understanding the Day

Season

Epiphany

Week

Week 1 of Epiphany

Rank

Major feast

The Octave Day of the Epiphany (Octava Epiphaniae) continues the Church’s celebration of Epiphany, the season that highlights Christ’s manifestation to the nations. As a Greater Double rank, this day is a major liturgical observance with its own proper prayers and readings; in plain terms, it calls for fuller liturgy and attentive participation in the Mass and the Divine Office. There is no separate vigil indicated here; the octave day is the concluding focus of the extended celebration.

Introit (Daily Prayer)

Mal 3:1; 1 Par. 29:12
Behold, the Lord and Ruler is come; and the kingdom is in His hand, and power, and dominion.
Ps 71:1
℣. O God, with Your judgment endow the King, and with Your justice, the King’s Son.
Glory Be to the Father…

O God, Whose only-begotten Son appeared in the substance of our flesh, grant, we pray You, that we who acknowledge His outward likeness to us may deserve to be inwardly refashioned in His image.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father…

Weekly Prayer

Act of Charity

O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love.

I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

Weekly Formation

Provocation, Praise, and Concealment

Ways of Being Accessory to Another’s Sin

By provocation
A person becomes accessory by provocation when words or actions deliberately stir another toward anger, vice, or a specific sinful response. The fault lies in intending or recklessly encouraging the temptation rather than merely being present when another reacts badly.
By praise or flattery
A person becomes accessory by praise or flattery when approval makes sinful conduct seem admirable, harmless, or worth repeating. Compliments and social encouragement can strengthen another’s bad choice even when no direct command is given.
By concealment
A person becomes accessory by concealment when wrongdoing is deliberately hidden by someone who has a duty to reveal or prevent it. Not every secret must be disclosed, but secrecy becomes cooperation when it protects the sinful action or allows injustice to continue.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

Admonish the sinner
Admonishing the sinner is a charitable warning intended to help a person recognize and leave serious wrongdoing. It requires truth, prudence, and concern for the person’s salvation, not humiliation, anger, or a desire to display superiority.

Saint & Feast

Principal celebrationCalendar title

Octave Day of the Epiphany

A biography or feast reflection has not yet been prepared.

Today in Church History

Pope Eugene IV's Sicut Dudum on Guanche Natives
1435Papal
In 1435, Pope Eugene IV issued the papal bull Sicut Dudum, which prohibited the enslavement of the Guanche natives in the Canary Islands who had embraced Christianity. This significant decree highlighted the Church's commitment to the dignity of all human beings and its opposition to the exploitation of newly converted Christians.
The Church's teachings remind us of the inherent dignity of every person, especially those who seek faith.
Papal Bull Sicut Dudum on Guanche Natives
1435Event
In 1435, Pope Eugene IV issued the papal bull Sicut Dudum, which prohibited the enslavement of the Guanche natives in the Canary Islands who were converting to Christianity. This significant act highlighted the Church's commitment to the dignity of all human beings and its role in advocating for the rights of indigenous peoples during the age of exploration.
This event reminds us of the Church's call to uphold human dignity and justice for all, especially the marginalized.

Catechism

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture are intricately linked, both flowing from the same divine source and working together to reveal the mystery of Christ, who promised to remain with us always. The Church, entrusted with the interpretation and transmission of this revelation, honors both Scripture and Tradition equally, recognizing that the early Christians relied on living Tradition before the New Testament was written. The "Sacred deposit" of faith, handed down from the apostles, calls the entire Church to remain united in practice and belief, guided by the bishops in communion with the Pope. For Catholic families, this emphasizes the importance of being open to the teachings of the Church and nurturing a harmonious relationship with their pastors, recognizing that in doing so, they are listening to Christ himself.

The Catechism highlights the Church’s Magisterium, which exercises Christ’s authority most fully when it defines dogmas: truths contained in divine Revelation or necessarily connected with it. Dogmas are lights along the path of faith, illuminating and securing it; when we live uprightly, our minds and hearts are more open to their light. The truths of faith are interconnected within the revelation of the mystery of Christ. All the faithful share in understanding and handing on revealed truth through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Guided by the Magisterium, the People of God receives, faithfully holds, deepens, and applies this faith in daily life. Through the Holy Spirit, understanding grows through prayerful contemplation and study, spiritual experience, and the preaching of bishops. Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and the Magisterium work together under the one Holy Spirit for the salvation of souls.

¶ 83

Today's Mass Readings

Open the day's Sancta MissaDivinum Officium · Divino Afflatu - 1954View readings

Octave Day of the Epiphany

Understanding the Day

Introit (Daily Prayer)

Collect

Weekly Prayer

Act of Charity

Weekly Formation

Provocation, Praise, and Concealment

Ways of Being Accessory to Another’s Sin

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

Saint & Feast

Octave Day of the Epiphany

Today in Church History

Pope Eugene IV's Sicut Dudum on Guanche Natives

Papal Bull Sicut Dudum on Guanche Natives

Catechism

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Today's Mass Readings

Baltimore Catechism No. 3