January 8
Friday after Epiphany
Canada : St Raymond of Penyafort, bishop · Africa : Sts Quodvultdeus and Deogratias, bishops
Feast shown for the year 2027; movable feasts can vary from year to year.
The Friday after Epiphany is part of the liturgical period known as the 'Epiphany season', which spans from the feast of Epiphany (celebrating the revelation of Christ to the nations) until the Baptism of the Lord or, in some calendars, until the following Sunday. This day invites Christians to dwell more deeply on the mystery of Christ’s manifestation to the world, especially as recounted in the Gospel readings assigned to these days, such as Jesus showing himself as the Beloved Son through signs like his baptism or miracles.
Throughout this week, the Church continues to reflect on themes of light, revelation, and the universality of Christ’s mission. The Friday after Epiphany is not devoted to a particular saint but rather sustains the season’s meditation on Christ’s identity and mission for all peoples. In this way, the faithful are encouraged to recognize Christ as the Light of the world and to respond to his call to discipleship, while taking inspiration from how the Epiphany brought the nations (the Magi) to Jesus. The readings and prayers focus on renewal, mission, and openness to the light of Christ.
Marking this day helps Catholics carry the spirit and joy of Christmas forward, realizing that the revelation of God in Jesus is ongoing—meant to be discovered, lived, and shared every day. The Friday after Epiphany thus serves as a bridge from the celebration of Christ's birth to the start of his public ministry, helping believers ponder anew the meaning of Christ’s presence among us.
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Local variations
- Canada — St Raymond of Penyafort, bishop
- Africa — Sts Quodvultdeus and Deogratias, bishops
Liturgical texts of January 8, 2027
The liturgical day
Mass readings
Reading1 Jn 5, 5-13
Beloved,
who then is the conqueror of the world?
Is it not the one who believes
that Jesus is the Son of God?
It is he, Jesus Christ,
who came by water and by blood:
not by water only,
but by water and by blood.
And it is the Spirit who testifies,
because the Spirit is the truth.
Indeed, there are three who testify:
the Spirit, the water, and the blood,
and the three are one.
We accept human testimony;
but the testimony of God has greater value,
because God’s testimony
is the one he has given about his Son.
Whoever puts their faith in the Son of God
has this testimony within themselves.
Whoever does not believe God,
makes God out to be a liar,
because they have not believed in the testimony
that God has given about his Son.
And this is the testimony:
God has given us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son.
Whoever has the Son has life;
whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
I have written this to you
so that you may know that you have eternal life,
you who put your faith
in the name of the Son of God.
– The word of the Lord.
Psalm147 (147B), 12-13, 14-15, 19-20
Glorify the Lord, Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
He has strengthened the bars of your gates;
within your walls he has blessed your children;
He makes peace reign at your borders,
and with finest wheat he fills you.
He sends his word to the earth:
quickly, his command runs forth.
He reveals his word to Jacob,
his statutes and decrees to Israel.
No other nation has he treated this way;
none other has known his will.
GospelLc 5, 12-16
Jesus was in a city
when there came a man covered with leprosy;
seeing Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground
and begged him:
“Lord, if you are willing,
you can make me clean.”
Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying:
“I am willing, be cleansed.”
At that very moment, the leprosy left him.
Then Jesus ordered him to tell no one:
“Go, rather, and show yourself to the priest,
and make an offering for your cleansing as Moses prescribed;
this will be a witness for everyone.”
More and more, people were speaking about Jesus.
Great crowds came to hear him
and to be healed of their diseases.
But he would withdraw to deserted places,
and he prayed.
– Let us acclaim the word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org