Through the course of the morning I had the opportunity to speak with a lot of different folks of all ages at church. Many are Romans, but most are transplants from the south of Italy. In any case, Epiphany seems to be a feast day that is felt strongly here, even more than New Year's, and secondly only to Christmas.
At all the masses in Italy today a prayer-announcement is added after the Gospel. We don't really do this in California, but I remember it from other years of living in Italy. With the Epiphany the Church calls the faithful to note the important celebrations of the Liturgical Year ahead based on the date of Easter. This is how the Announcement is worded:
Announcement of the Day of Easter
Dearest brothers and sisters, the joy of the Lord is made manifest and will always manifest itself in our midst until the day of his return. In the rhythm and events of time we remember and we live the mysteries of salvation. The center of the entire liturgical year is the Triduum of the Lord crucified, buried and risen, that will culminate on Easter Sunday, on 16 April. On every Suday, the Easter of the week, the holy Church makes this great event present as Christ has conquered sin and death. All the other holy days spring from Easter: Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, on 1 March; the Ascension of the Lord, on 28 May; Pentecost, on 4 June; the first Sunday of Advent, on 3 December. Even the feasts of the holy Mother of God, of the Apostles, of the saints and in the commemoration of the faithful departed, the pilgrim Church on earth proclaims the Passover of the Lord. To Christ who was, who is, and who is coming, Lord of time and history, be everlasting praise forever and ever.
All: Amen.
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