Epiphany Blessing of the Home
The custom of blessing the home on the feast of Epiphany is found in many cultures. This custom has us mark the front doorway with C-M-B, the initials of the magi’s traditional names (Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar) and the year. C-M-B also stands for Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless this house.” You will need a piece of chalk and a small container of holy water, sign of our baptism and consecration to the Lord, to sprinkle each room in the house.
Leader: In the (+) name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen!
Leader: Let the Light of the World shine on this place! Legend gives these names to the Lord’s visitors: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. Their initials sign this doorway along with four crosses and the numerals of the new year.
20 + C + M + B + xx
(where xx is the last 2 digits of the year)Leader: Let us pray: Christus mansionem benedicat. May Christ bless this house! May Christ bless us all, now and forever
Leader or another Reader:
A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians:
So, then we should not lose heart in doing what is good, for if we do not grow weary, we shall receive our reward in due time. So then, let us do good for others while we may, especially to those who belong to the household of faith.
The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God!
In each room of the house, the leader prays for God’s blessing and invites someone to sprinkle the room with holy water.Living Room:
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Resurrection and the Life. Bless this room, we pray.
All: Amen!
Kitchen:
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, you give us our daily bread. Bless this room, we pray.
All: Amen!
Dining Room:
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, bring us to the feast of heaven. Bless this room, we pray.
All: Amen!
Bedrooms:
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, stay with us when evening comes. Bless this room, we pray.
All: Amen!
Bathroom:
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, you cleanse us with living waters. Bless this room, we pray.
All: Amen!
All return to the front door to pray together.
Leader: Let us pray as Jesus taught us:
All: Our Father, who art in heaven… …deliver us from evil. Amen.
All those present are sprinkled with holy water.
Leader: Lord our God, we ask you to bless this household through all the days to come. We praise you and thank you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever.
All: Amen!
Copyright 2007, World Library Publications, the music and liturgy division of J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved.