EXPLANATION: The custom of blessing the home on the Solemnity of the Epiphany is a beautiful way of asking God's mercy and grace at the beginning of a New Year. The Epiphany is celebrated in culturally Catholic countries on January 6 (thus giving rise to the phrase, the "12 Days of Christmas") but in the USA it is liturgically observed on the Sunday closest to January 6.
Why a Home Blessing on Epiphany and not some other Christmastime feast? Because the Gospel of St. Matthew mentions that the three Magi found in the Holy Family in a home (no longer in the stable-cave with its manger) and the initials of the Magi's traditional names "C.M.B." (Caspar, Balthasar, Melchior) conveniently stand for the first letters in the Latin phrase: Christus Mansionem Benedictat ("Christ bless this house.") So over time it became a favorite Catholic custom to bless one's home on this special day.
How do I bless my home? What will I need to do it? It is important to know that in Catholic teaching, the parents of a family have the authority to give genuine blessings upon people and things that are under their domaine as spouses and parents. Thus, one's children and one's home can be powerfully blessed by a parent without the need to ask a priest or deacon to do so. The only item you will need are:
Prayers & Blessing Service (given below).
Holy Water (which is always available to our parishioners in the vestibule of the church, just bring a small container.)
Optional: Chalk to inscribe the blessing over your main door. This is optional. You can still give the blessing without "chalking the door" although many find this to be a most unique and special part of the ceremony! As an alternative, some families make a plaque out of various media to hand above the door that has the Epiphany Home Blessing Inscription written upon it.
A HOME EPIPHANY BLESSING PRAYER SERVICE
OPENING PRAYERS
Leader (Parent) : Peace be to this house.
All: And to all who live here.
All: 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.
BLESSING OF THE CHALK (Optional. If not chalking the door go to Blessing of the Home below)
Leader: Our help is the name of the Lord:
All: The Maker of heaven and earth.
Leader: The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in:
All: From this time forth for evermore.
Leader: Let us pray. Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created (make the Sign of the Cross over the chalk), that it may be helpful to your people; and grant, through the invocation of your most Holy Name, that we who use it in faith to write upon the door of our home the names of your holy ones Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit our home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Sprinkle the chalk with Holy Water)
Inscribing the Blessing: Using the blessed chalk mark the upper door frame of your main door as shown below. If hanging a plaque you can dos o while saying the prayer verse used with the chalking.
20 + C + M + B + 21 while saying:
Leader: The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star and discovered God’s Son May this same Lord Jesus Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.
After chalking the door offer this home blessing prayer:
BLESSING THE HOME
Leader: Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever.
All: Amen.
Go through the house sprinkling each of the rooms with Holy Water. If you're a musical you might want to sing "We Three Kings".
This is the homemade word-burned plaque our family is using this year.
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