EPIPHANY HOME BLESSING CEREMONY
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:
℣. God’s peace be to this home,
℟. And to all who dwell therein.
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.
Antiphon: 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 (Luke 1:26-55)
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 will 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 for ever.
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.
Ant. 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.
℣. Our Father. . .
And lead us not into temptation
℟. But deliver us from evil.
℣. Many from Saba shall come,
℟. Bringing gold and frankincense.
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto Thee.
℣. Let us pray.
O God, who by the guidance of a star didst this day reveal Your Only Begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we who know Thee by faith may also attain the vision of Thy glorious majesty, through the same Christ, Our Lord.
℟. Amen.
℟. 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.
℣. Nations shall walk in your light, and kings in the brilliance of your rising.
℟. And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
BLESSING OF CHALK
(Optional and only if done by a 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.
℟. Amen.
HOUSE BLESSING
℣. Let us pray.
O Lord, Almighty God, bless this house ✠ that it may become a shelter of health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, goodness, mildness, obedience to the commandments, and thanksgiving to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Upon this house and those who dwell herein may Your blessing remain forever, through Christ our Lord.
℟. Amen.
The father of the family and the «three kings» take blessed chalk and proceed to the front door, accompanied by the priest. While all look on, the father reads the marking words as he and the three kings inscribe their corresponding characters onto the lintel, as follows:
Final inscription on lintel should read:
2 0 + C + M + B + 2 5
The priest begins to read now the marking words of blessing:
℣. «The three wise men,
Caspar, [Caspar inscribes ‘C’ on lintel]
Melchior, [Melchior inscribes ‘M’]
and Balthasar [Balthasar inscribes ‘B’]
followed the star of God’s Son who became man
two thousand [The father inscribes ‘2 0’ on left]
twenty-five years ago. [The father inscribes ‘2 5’ on right]
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’]»
Everyone responds:
Amen.
Since the initials C M B also stand for «Christus mansionem benedicat» («May Christ bless this house»), the priest now seals the markings ‘C M B’, tracing over them with holy chalk once more, as he prays:
C «Christus
M mansionem
B benedicat».
The priest, or the father (if no priest is present), now prays the following blessing:
℣. 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.
℟. Amen.
After the prayers of the blessing are recited on the main door lintel, each room of the home is sprinkled with Epiphany water and incensed. The initials of the Magi may also be inscribed upon the other doors of the house with the blessed chalk.
The father and the “Three Kings” now accompany the priest as he blesses the house with holy water and the incense. Everyone sings:
We Three Kings of Orient Are
We three Kings of Orient are;
bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a babe on Bethlehem’s plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.
O star of wonder, star of night...
Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray’r and praising, all men raising,
Worship him God most high.
O star of wonder, star of night...
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
O star of wonder, star of night...
Glorious now, behold Him arise,
King and God sacrifice!
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to Heav’n replies.
O star of wonder, star of night...