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 POSTJonah's Call from God
He could not imagine God talking outside of a certain box, but he learned
By John M. Grondelski | January 6th 2025 12:36 PMRoman Brandstaetter, the twentieth-century Polish author born into a highly observant Jewish family, always spoke of becoming Catholic not as a “conversion” but as a “fulfillment.” That perspective illumined his many religious writings, including his novella about the prophet Jonah. Brandstaetter’s Jonah was not the stiff-necked and somewhat simple man…
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