Three kings tradition grows in Buffalo

It took the Magi 12 days to reach Jesus, but the three kings of Family of Parishes #21 reached their destinations in just a few hours. The vans probably helped.

To celebrate Epiphany or Three Kings Day, Family #21 sent out two teams of kings to bless the homes of their parishioners. Each of the 57 houses also received a chalk marking as a sign of the blessing.

“I bless your house by writing in chalk above your front door 20+C+M+B+25,” said Father Robert Gebhard who led one team. “That means in the year 2025 Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar – the three kings – have visited your house. It also stands for Christus Mansionem Benedicat, which in Latin means Christ blessed this house.”

Father Gebhard, along with Deacon Don Weigel and Jim Christie, were driven by Paula Hunt. Father Ron Sajdak led team two with Deacon Michael Dalessandro, Deacon Jerry Hodson and Eileen Hodson.

The visits have become a tradition for the East Side family of parishes that includes SS. Columba-Brigid, St. Martin de Porres, and Blessed Trinity.

“We get to see parishioners in their homes and bless their homes,” explained Deacon Hodson. “They get so excited. It’s a wonderful experience.”

Deacon Weigel, new to the team this year, took part to encourage people to be a blessing for others.

“I wanted to do this because I always mark my door,” he said. “It reminds me when I’m leaving about being a gift to other people as I’m walking out the door. I hope some other people find the same value in it.”

“The rising of the star and the story of the Magi; it brings it home,” explained Father Gebhard. “It makes it real for people’s lives. And it reminds us that God appears to us all the time, and calls us on the journey, which is our pilgrim way. It’s helpful to people. It’s helpful to us.”

Each Sunday, the parishes made an announcement to invite parishioners to sign up for the blessings. This year the visits went out 10 miles from each of the family’s three parishes, sending the kings as far out as West Seneca and Williamsville. The number of people wanting the blessing keeps increasing since the tradition began in 2020.

“We had to limit it to just the two weekend sign ups because it just can’t go further than that unless we can get more kings,” said Hunt.

The recipients get nearly giddy when they see the three kings, dressed in full costume coming to their house with holy water and incense.

Colleen Schroeder, the first guest this year, requested the blessing because “Any blessings certainly are good.”

Tom Leed from Williamsville, let his daughter Eloise pick the color chalk.

“We just thought it was a nice way to recognize the beginning of the year. Hopefully this blessing will carry us through a good year,” he said about the blessing.