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EPIPHANY HOME BLESSING CEREMONY
January 7 @ 12:00 am
EPIPHANY HOME BLESSING CEREMONY
Saturday, January 6th or
Sunday, January 7th
The manger is decorated regally, containing the
enthroned Christ Child. All gather around the manger while
the visiting priest leads the prayers. If there is no priest
present, the father of the family leads:
Father: God’s peace be in this home,
All: And in all who live here.
Antiphon: Father: 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.
Canticle of Mary, the Magnificat, Luke 1:26-55:
All: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit
rejoices in God my Savior; for He has looked with favor
on his lowly servant. From this day all generations
shall call me blessed: the Almighty has done great
things for me, and holy is His Name. He has mercy on
those who fear Him in every generation. He has shown
the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in
their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their
thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the
hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away
empty. He has come to the help of His servant Israel
for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise
He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his
children forever. Glory to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit As it was in the
beginning is now and will be forever. Amen.
All: 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.
Father: Many shall come from Sheba.
All: Bearing gold and incense.
Father: O Lord, hear my prayer.
All: And let my cry come unto Thee.
Father: Let us pray. O God, who by the guidance of a star
did this day reveal your Only Begotten Son to the Gentiles,
grant that we who know You by faith may be brought
to the contemplation of the heavenly majesty, through the
same Christ, Our Lord.
All: Amen.
All: Be enlightened and shine forth, O Jerusalem, for
thy light is come, and upon thee is risen the glory
of the Lord, Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary.
Father: Nations shall walk in your light, and kings in the
brilliance of your rising.
All: And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
The father of the family and the three “kings” take
blessed chalk (one piece each) and proceed to the
front door, accompanied by the priest. While all
look on, the father reads the corresponding words
as the kings inscribe their initials onto the lintel
(door frame or chalk board to hang over the door)
(The initials CMB also stand for Christus mansionem
benedicat: May Christ bless this house.)
Final inscription on lintel should read:
2 0 + C + M + B + 2 4:
“The three wise men,
Caspar, [Caspar inscribes ‘C’ on lintel] C
Melchior, [Melchior inscribes ‘M’] M
and Balthasar [Balthasar inscribes ‘B’] B
followed the star of God’s Son who became man
two thousand [The father inscribes the ‘2 0’ on left] 2 0
twenty-four years ago. [The father inscribes ‘2 4’ on right] 2 4
“May Christ bless our dwelling, [The father places + after ‘2 0’] +
and remain with us throughout the new year, [ + after ‘C’] +
and grant that our comings and goings [ + after ‘M’] +
will be in search of truth [ + after ‘B’] +
Priest/Father: Almighty God, incline your ear.
May you bless us and all who are gathered here.
Send your holy angel who will defend us and fill
with grace all who live here.
All: Amen.
BLESSING OF CHALK by a Priest (Optional)
Priest: Bless, O Lord God, this creature, chalk, and let
it be a help to mankind. Grant that those who will 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.
By Jennifer Gregory Miller, http://familyfeastandferia.com for full article with Home Blessing Ceremony
Purchase Blessed chalk:
