Epiphany Sunday!
This past Sunday we celebrated Epiphany, the arrival of the three wise men to the stable in Bethlehem.
We recognize this day and this NEW YEAR with our own Epiphany
Blessing.
This is a traditional Catholic blessing for your home and all you need is the prayer and some chalk.
We ask God’s blessing on this home and on those who come here. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest, part of our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.
A traditional way of doing this is to use chalk to write above the entrance
20 + C + M + B + 18.
The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus Mansionem Benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross and 2018 is the year.
Let us begin with the sign of our faith. In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Blessing the Chalk
Let us pray.
Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that 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.
Let us pray.
Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that 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.
Instructions for Blessing the Home
Using the blessed chalk mark the lintel of your front door (or front porch step) as follows 20 + C + M + B + 18 while saying:
Using the blessed chalk mark the lintel of your front door (or front porch step) as follows 20 + C + M + B + 18 while saying:
Prayer:
The
three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son
who became human two thousand and sisteen years ago. May Christ bless our home
and remain with us throughout the new year.
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. Amen
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. Amen
Good St. Anne, Pray for Us.
In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Chalking the door” is a way to celebrate and literally mark the occasion of the Epiphany and God’s blessing of our lives and home. With time the chalk will fade. As it does we let the meaning of the symbols written sink into the depths of our heart and be manifest in our words and actions the Latin words, Christus Mansionem Benedictat, “May Christ bless the house.”
“Chalking the door” is a way to celebrate and literally mark the occasion of the Epiphany and God’s blessing of our lives and home. With time the chalk will fade. As it does we let the meaning of the symbols written sink into the depths of our heart and be manifest in our words and actions the Latin words, Christus Mansionem Benedictat, “May Christ bless the house.”
Have a safe, healthy, prosperous and faith-filled new year.
