Correspondent photo / Sean Barron
Among those who visited the three kings during a Feast of the Epiphany celebration Jan. 4 at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Youngstown were, from left, Kevin Claros; his wife, Aleishka Rodriguez; and their infant, Aleshkael Claros-Rodriguez, 3 months, all of Youngstown.

YOUNGSTOWN — Aleshkael Claros-Rodriguez may be only 3 months old, but his mother already holds out high cultural hopes for her infant son.

“I hope one day he can keep this tradition going,” Aleshkael’s mother, Aleishka Rodriguez of Youngstown, said.

Helping the beloved cause for mother and son was being part of a commemorative meeting and celebration with the three kings to Jesus Christ, who were on hand to greet those of all ages who came to a celebratory Feast of the Epiphany gathering Sunday afternoon at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 77 E. Lucius Ave., on the South Side.

The colorful event followed the celebration of St. Dominic’s traditional noon Sunday Mass. It also was in advance of the Epiphany, which was Tuesday.

Epiphany is a Christian feast celebrated every Jan. 6 that marks the revelation of Christ to the world and mainly commemorates the visit of the Magi (three kings) to the baby Jesus, as well as his baptism and the Wedding at Cana.

The family-friendly and festive gathering that included the three kings (Los Tres Reyes Magos) symbolizes the revelation of Christ to all nations. The Feast of the Epiphany (Dia de Reyes) is especially significant in Mexico and Puerto Rico, where it is one of the most beloved and important religious and family celebrations each year.

“(The celebration) is very family-friendly and a blessing for children to receive love by gifts and candy they receive,” said Aleishka Rodriguez, a four-year church member who also lived in Puerto Rico for seven years.

In many respects, the traditions and customs surrounding the Epiphany parallel those related to Christmas, such as children writing letters to Santa Claus to express what they want, as well as leaving cookies and hot chocolate for him. In the Epiphany, the three kings bring gifts to children each Jan. 6 after receiving their letters, and children leave shoeboxes with straw for camels to eat, Paulina Montaldo, St. Dominic’s Hispanic ministry leader, noted.

Beforehand, the letters are tied to balloons that the children release, Montaldo said, adding that the festivities also include sharing Rosca de Reyes (a traditional sweet Mexican bread enjoyed throughout Latin America).

In addition, whoever finds in their piece of bread a replica of the baby Jesus is asked to host the Candelaria on Feb. 2, she added.

Candelaria also is known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Feast of the Holy Encounter. The occasion is a Christian feast day that commemorates Christ’s presentation at the Temple in Jerusalem by Joseph and Mary, as described in Luke 2:22-23, which mentions Christ being presented to God.

In addition, the day, known in Mexico, as “Dia de la Candelaria,” is called the Feast of Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary because traditions at that time typically considered women as “impure” until 40 days after giving birth. Candles are a major part of the observance because they symbolically denote the Virgin Mary’s purity.

Sunday’s celebration also was filled with plenty of pageantry, fellowship and gaiety, and has grown in recent years as the number of St. Dominic’s parishioners — especially Spanish people — has grown, the Rev. Frassati Davis, head pastor, noted.

The event began with the three kings passing candy after Mass, Davis recalled.

The Hispanic community became closely linked with the 103-year-old church in 2020, a time when about 60 people celebrated Sunday Mass. Today, more than 200 attend, he said.

The three kings, however, are more substantive than merely generous men who dispense gifts each year to those who ask.

“The three kings are trusted, intelligent, confident and wise men who still had a lot to learn from Jesus,” Davis continued. “They teach us that we’re never too old to trust in the king of kings. When we trust in him, it takes care of all of our needs.”

Davis added that Sunday’s Feast of the Epiphany also took place in the Christmas season, which “doesn’t just end on the 25th,” he said.