Pope Benedict XVI’s Angelus Message on the Feast of Epiphany

(January 6, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI said that our earthly knowledge is far from being self-sufficient is open to new discoveries into God’s creation and we should not be ashamed to make inquiries into it. The Pope was speaking at the noon Angelus time on the feast of the Epiphany to the large holiday crowd at St Peter’s Square, Vatican, on Wednesday, the sixth of January. He said: “They were wise men, who watched the stars and learnt the history of peoples. They were men of science in a broad sense, observing the universe and regarded it as virtually a great book full of signs and messages from God to man. Their knowledge, therefore, far from being regarded as self-sufficient, was open to further discoveries, and God's call. Indeed, they were not ashamed to ask for directions to the religious leaders of the Jews.” The wise men accepted the guidance of the priests and scribes and were not afraid accepting the words of prophesy in their search for the child Jesus, said the Holy Father and they rejoiced with the finding again of the star. For them it was the conformity between the divine harmony and human search of truth, he said. Further the Holy Father referred to their falling in worship said that like true scholars open to the mystery that manifests itself in surprising ways, they too discovered him and offered their precious gifts. Again the confirmation of the magi to their unity of intelligence and faith is seen by their not returning to Herod, said Pope Benedict, instead like Mary they remain in silence to meditate the mystery and go away to their place as directed by God in faith. On this feast day of Epiphany, Mary shows us that there is a profound harmony between reason and faith, science and revelation, as seen in the mystery, said the Pope.
After reciting the Marian ‘Angelus’ prayer, Pope Benedict conveyed his cordial greetings to the faithful of the Orthodox Churches who according to the Julian calendar celebrate Christmas on January 7. “May the mystery of light be a source of joy and peace for every family and community,” the Pope said in Italian. The Holy Father also recalled that on the feast of the Epiphany, the Catholic Church marks Children's Missionary Day on the theme, ‘Children Helping Children.’ The initiative promoted by Venerable Pope Pius XII in 1950 aims at educating children to create in them an open mentality to the world and to express solidarity with their less fortunate counterparts. Affectionately greeting the little missionaries in all the continents of the world Pope Benedict encouraged them to always witness to Jesus and preach his Gospel.
Pope Benedict also greeted people gathered in the square in various languages and also greeted the Viva de Bafena on the 25^th Edition of their Parade. Designed in 1985 for the feast of Epiphany, La Bafena today provided an historical re-enactment of six periods that contained three marching bands, 20 people on horseback, with the Magi carrying gifts, wearing specially designed costumes. The parade contained more than 1500 people with 250 children, three vintage cars, three groups of Majrettes, with 300 civil volunteers and presented living nativity scene depicting love, solidarity, tolerance and peace. Originated from pagan festival, La Befana is said to be an old woman in Italian folklore that visits all children of Italy on the eve of the feast of the Epiphany and delivers gifts to children. She fills their socks with candy and presents if they are good or a lump of coal or dark candy if they are bad. She is usually portrayed as an old lady riding a broomstick through the air wearing a black shawl smiling and carries a bag or hamper filled with candy, gifts, or both. As part of the ritual after the Angelus, the three Magi, as per the tradition, arrived at the Papal Household, to bring symbolic gifts to Pope Benedict XVI: First, a crucifix, representing faith and unity of mankind, a complete pure linen, embroidered by hand, for the celebration of the Eucharist. Secondly, the bottle of friendship, a sculpture, to foster peace, solidarity and brotherhood among peoples. Thirdly, a bas-relief in bronze, enriched with stones, fitted olive wood.