Epiphany of the Lord
Massimo Palombella
The Magi walk, travel, move, leave their habits behind and face the fatigue and uncertainty of the journey. The Magi simply follow the star, allow themselves to be led, stop planning and designing, and entrust their movements to the movement of the star. The Magi do not plan the length of the journey or the destination; they follow the star that will lead them to meet the One who will change their lives forever.
We too, like the Magi, are invited to find the courage to abandon our small plans in order to follow the star that leads us to truth, meaning, fulfilment in life, “life in abundance”, to the One who, if we allow him, can transform our history into salvation, our contingent and poor life into resurrection and eternity.
We do not know how long the journey will last or what obstacles we will encounter. We only know that in the end, like the Magi, we will experience “great joy” (Mt 2:10).
The antiphon to the Magnificat of the Second Vespers of today’s solemnity has the following text: Tribus miraculis ornatum diem sanctum colimus:
hodie stella Magos duxit ad praesepium;
hodie vinum ex aqua factum est ad nuptias;
hodie a Ioanne Christus baptizari voluit ut salvaret nos. Alleluia.
We observe this holy day, ornamented with three miracles:
Today a star led the Magi to the manger;
Today wine was made from water at the wedding;
Today in the Jordan Christ desired to be baptised by John, so that He might save us. Alleluia).
The attached music is by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and comes from the “Motecta festorum totius anni” published in Venice by Antonio Gardano in 1571 (Motecta Festorum totius anni cum Communi Sanctorum. Liber Primus (Venetiis, apud filios Antonii Gardani, 1571).
The live performance is by the Schola Cantorum Venerandae Fabricae at the concert in the Church of San Gottardo in Corte (Milan) on 23 October 2025.
A blessed Solemnity of the and heartfelt greetings.
