Being that February 2nd is the 40th block on the calendar, inclusive, after the nativity of our Lord (December 25th), Western Christendom celebrates the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, otherwise known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, on this day. Yet, the celebration's most commonly used appellation is that of Candlemas in reference to the fact that, since the 4th Century, the Church consecrates its liturgical candles on February 2nd in recognition of … [Read more...] about Le Chasseur Sportif et le 2 Février
Epiphany
20 + C + M + B + 26
Being January 6th, today is the Feast of the Epiphany and thus the start of Epiphanytide. If you are Catholic and observe the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Right, then the season for you lasts an octave. Yet, if you're High Church Anglican, it closes at 23:59 hours on February 2nd. A good 28-days, it is, which is better. But don't read too much into that with respect to Yours Truly. I'm all for Mere Christianity, which means I'm Catholophilic (perhaps coining a new term along the way) and … [Read more...] about 20 + C + M + B + 26
Epiphanytide, East of Suez
While the central theme of Epiphany is Jesus' divinity, a closely allied secondary one is the revealing of the Christ to the Gentiles, beginning with the Magi who came from the East. Whether there were three of them, each bearing a unique gift, or a larger group presenting three gifts of symbolic import, odds are they were from some place like Babylon or Susa and were acting upon the prophecy of Daniel. Either way, most years I include an 'East of Suez-style' game meal as part of my observance … [Read more...] about Epiphanytide, East of Suez