The word Catholic means “universal”…which means that every culture and people around the world have their own unique traditions! 

For Epiphany this year, be inspired by Catholic traditions from around the globe!

Here are a few of our favorites (and ideas to incorporate them into your family celebrations)!

United Kingdom – Bless your Home for the New Year

For centuries, families have blessed their doors with chalk and a special prayer. No one really knows where this tradition came from, but it is beloved by Catholic families the world over, particularly in the U.K.

This ancient blessing can be done by a priest or by the head of the household. Our Home Blessing and Protection Kit takes the guesswork away and makes it easy for you. It includes everything you need, from the prayers to the chalk, and explains the meaning behind the tradition. 

Spain – Put on a Talent Show

In Spain, talented street performers juggle and dance to celebrate Epiphany. They want everyone to know the joy of the feast day!

Take a cue from Spain and have your kids put on an Epiphany talent show for mom and dad! The possibilities are endless, and older kids can help the younger ones plan. Magic tricks, music, dancing, juggling…let them have fun praising God through creativity!

Does your child like to practice card tricks? They can never have too many decks of cards…and a Catholic one is a perfect addition! These Holy Heroes Playing Cards are durable enough to be used for years to come (and doubles as a teaching tool)!

Puerto Rico – Leave Straw for the Camels 

Does your family put their shoes out for St. Nicolas on December 6th? Or maybe leave cookies for St. Nicolas on Christmas Eve? 

In Puerto Rico, children leave shoeboxes filled with grass in the house…that way, the Magi’s camels can have a snack as they travel to visit Jesus! When everyone wakes up, what do they see? The grass is gone, and some of it is scattered around the shoeboxes (those camels are messy eaters!). 

In celebration of the gifts the Wise Men left for the Christ Child, kids also leave one of their presents unopened until Epiphany morning. 

Stuck on Catholic gift ideas? How about a fun game that the whole family can enjoy on Epiphany?

The Catholic Name-It Game is perfect for fast-paced family fun! Your children will learn the names and meanings of Catholic objects and gestures, awakening in them an appreciation for the wonder of our Catholic Faith. Who knows, maybe mom and dad will learn a word or two!

Ireland – Show your Gratitude

Moms, you will love this one!

In Ireland, Epiphany is known as Little Christmas, and all the women rest from housework for the day! They sleep in, go out to eat, and receive gifts from their children (as a thank-you for all the hard work in December).  

Now this is a tradition we can get behind!

Perhaps this year, you can encourage your kids to write thank-you letters to the hardworking people in their life (parents, grandparents, teachers). Help your kids ponder the immense sacrifices others make for them on a daily basis (from police officers to firefighters to farmers). 

In the spirit of gift-giving, consider including an adorable Tiny Saint with their cards. They are a daily reminder of our ultimate goal of Heaven. And there’s a saint for everyone! For parents, the one with St. Louis and Zelie Martin is especially perfect. 

Mexico – Make a King Cake

Mexico and several other cultures around the world all bake some kind of circular treat to celebrate Epiphany. Oftentimes they’re wrapped in a crown shape, to point to the kingship of Jesus. Usually, they’re filled with dried fruits, nuts, and other yummies. If you or your family have visited New Orleans in the U.S., you may have seen King Cakes there! 

To incorporate this tradition, you don’t need to be a fancy baker. All you need are jelly beans and a box of cake mix! 

Make your favorite flavor of cake or cupcake then, when you frost and decorate, put 3 jelly beans in the middle layer of the cake. When you slice open the cake, whomever gets the jelly bean in their slice has to sing a verse from We Three Kings (the whole family joins in on the Chorus): 

Caspar:

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,

Gold I bring to crown Him again,

King for ever,

Ceasing never

Over us all to reign.

Melchior:

Frankincense to offer have I,

Incense owns a Deity nigh:

Prayer and praising

All men raising,

Worship Him God on High.

Balthazar:

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume

Breathes a life of gathering gloom;—

Sorrowing, sighing,

Bleeding, dying,

Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Greece and Turkey – Learn about Holy Water

For Catholics in the Byzantine Rite, they celebrate a different (but related) feast day on January 6th. It’s called the feast of Theophany and is related to the Baptism of Jesus. 

The difference is due to some historical calendar trickiness…the Latin Church (that’s us) celebrates the Baptism of the Lord on the Sunday after Epiphany.

However, these two feast days are related! They both center around God revealing Himself to the world through Jesus. The Magi’s visit revealed Jesus’ kingship, divinity, and death, while His baptism revealed the three Persons of the Trinity!

In the Byzantine Rite, they have a special blessing for holy water on this day. Why not take this opportunity to refill those holy water bottles lying around the house? Now is the perfect time to teach kids about the importance of Holy Water and sacramentals. 

Speaking of practicality, this Holy Water Flask is large enough to clip onto your purse, backpack, or belt loop. Take it everywhere you go, and encourage your kids to bless themselves often!