Epiphany Blessings
Solemnity of the Epiphany
A special blessing for your home
The Church has a custom of blessing homes on the Solemnity of the Epiphany (January 7th this year, although usually January 6th) and the weeks following. Family and friends gather to ask God’s blessing on their homes and those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.
A traditional way of doing this is to use chalk blessed during the Solemnity of the Epiphany and write above the home’s entryway, 20 + C + M + B + 24. 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 2024 is the year.
The Blessing the Home
Using the blessed chalk mark the lintel of your front door or porch as follows:
20 + C + M + B + 24
As you do so, say the following:
The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar
followed the star of God’s Son
who became human two thousand and twenty four years ago.
May Christ bless our home
and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.
Finally, all present pray this prayer:
Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the joy of your presence.
Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant
that we may share your love with each other and with 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.