The Narthex
The Erosion of Epiphany
Epiphany used to have its own octave, meaning the Christmas Season extended until January 13
By John M. Grondelski | January 6th 2026 12:39 PMJanuary 6 is the traditional date for the Solemnity of the Epiphany. In the United States, it has been transferred for decades to the first Sunday after January 1. It fell on January 4 this year. Some liturgists would argue that Epiphany was, indeed, the original “Christmas” feast and that…
READ FULL BLOG POSTThe Erosion of January 1
U.S. Catholics do not understand why this is a holy day on the octave day of Christmas
By John M. Grondelski | January 5th 2026 1:07 PMThe Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, celebrated on January 1, the Octave of Christmas, is a holyday of obligation. There’s an argument to be made that its status is progressively being eroded. Looking at some parish bulletins, I noticed a cutback in the number of Masses offered. That anecdotal…
READ FULL BLOG POSTRandom Ruminations #15
Many Faces of Scrooge... Why Do People Copy the Gothic?... Seventh Century Colonialism... and more
By John M. Grondelski | November 22nd 2024 12:41 PMWorld Vasectomy Day Nov 21-22 is the 12th Annual "World Vasectomy Day," an annual "celebration" during which vans prowl some neighborhoods offering male sterilization. Since 2022 the act has been designated a sign of male "ally-ship" with post-Dobbs women by "taking responsibility" for fertility. Such euphemistic claptrap has become so normalized…
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