Latino community members attend Spanish Mass of the Epiphany at St. Stephen’s
WARWICK — On Saturday evening, Jan. 5, members of the local Latino community celebrated with a Spanish Mass of the Epiphany at the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, in Warwick.
On Jan. 6, most of the Hispanic world celebrates El Dia De Reyes, the Epiphany, remembering the day when the Three Wise Men following the star to Bethlehem, arrived bearing their treasured gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Baby Jesus.
The 12 days of Christmas starts in December and continues until the Epiphany when in some Latin American countries the children also receive their gifts.
The Mass, which was said by the Rev. Adaly Rosado from the Church of St. John, the Evangelist in Goshen, began with a procession of children in costumes who were dressed as Mary, carrying the baby Jesus, Joseph and the Three Wise Men.
‘Need to practice their faith’
Warwick resident Judy Battista, an advocate for the growing Latino community, provided the costumes and arranged for Rosado to say Mass in Spanish.
“This community meets in each other’s home for prayer meetings,” said Battista. “Last month we did the Mass of Our Lady of Guadeloupe. They are such a humble community and they want and need to practice their faith.”
During his homily, spoken in Spanish, Rosado explained the deeper meaning of the gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense.
He likened the visit to a baby shower where we welcome the new baby. But he explained that the gifts were not practical but symbolic and he asked, “What do we bring to Jesus? We bring ourselves.”
Rosca, or sweet bread
Following the Mass, everyone assembled in the atrium for refreshments and breaking of the traditional “Rosca,” a sweet bread.
Battista explained that the Rosca is traditionally eaten during the celebration of “Día de Reyes” (literally “Kings’ Day”), when children traditionally receive presents, which are attributed to the Three Wise Men.
A small figurine of the Christ Child, hidden in the bread, represents the flight of Joseph, Mary and Jesus after learning of King Herod’s order to murder all the children under two years old that could be the prophesied Messiah.
Whoever finds the baby Jesus figurine is blessed and must take the figurine to the nearest church on Feb. 2, Candle Mass Day (Día de la Candelaria).
In the Mexican culture, this person also has to throw a party and provide tamales and atoles (hot drinks) for the guests.
Battista is planning to arrange for a Candle Mass on Saturday, Feb. 2. For information call her at 987-4207.