On the preparatory Vigil of Epiphany there is a custom of blessing special “Epiphany Water”. It was once reserved to bishops, but priests can do it. The texts are wonderful and the accompanying rites are beautiful. It is carried out in the context of a service like Lauds or Vespers. There is a long exorcism against Satan and apostate angels, which includes: “Therefore, accursed dragon and every diabolical legion, we adjure you by the living + God, by the true + God, by the holy + God, by the God who so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have life everlasting; cease your deception of the human race and your giving them to drink of the poison of everlasting damnation; desist from harming the Church and fettering her freedom. Begone Satan, you father and teacher of lies and enemy of mankind. Give place to Christ in whom you found none of your works; give place to the one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church, which Christ Himself purchased with His blood. May you be brought low under God’s mighty hand. May you tremble and flee as we call upon the holy and awesome name of Jesus, before whom hell quakes, and to whom the virtues, powers, and dominations are subject; whom the cherubim and seraphim praise with unwearied voices, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts!” There are exorcisms of salt and water, of course, before their mixing, and the Te Deum is sung. It is seriously, in-your-face CATHOLIC, and therefore boldly to be done everywhere.
Fr. Zuhlsdorf












