Epiphany House Blessing

This ceremony of the blessing of the home and the inscription of the initials of the three Magi above each door can be performed by the head of the family or another designated family member. Have some chalk on hand in preparation for the prayer.

Leader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Leader: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial. The star burned like a flame, pointing the way to God, the King of kings. The wise men saw the sign and brought their gifts in homage to their great King.

Lord, bless this chalk, and let it be a help to our family. Let us use it with faith in your most holy name, and with it inscribe on the doors of their homes the names of your saints, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, may through their merits and intercession enjoy health in body and protection of soul; through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Leader: O Lord, Almighty God, bless our home that it may become a shelter of health, chastity, humility, goodness, mercy, obedience to the commandments, and thanksgiving to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May your blessing come upon this house, those who live here, and those who visit, through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

After the prayers of the blessing are recited, inscribe the initials of the Magi upon the main entrance of your home as indicated below:

20 + C + M + B + 21

The initials, C, M, B, can also be interpreted as the Latin phrase - Christus mansionem benedicat - which means "Christ bless this house." The plus signs represent the cross, and the numbers in the beginning and end mark the year.

Leader: Let us pray together the prayer that Jesus taught us. Our Father . . .

All: Amen.

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