Epiphany Blessing
The Blessing of the Chalk by the Priest
Epiphany chalk is used to write the inscription over all the doors of ones house. Soft classroom chalk of any color is best for writing on varished or painted surfaces. A priest should bless the chalk on Epiphany Day, before the celebration of the main Mass of the day, using the following Blessing, which is taken from the Roman Ritual.
V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O Lord God, bless + this chalk which Thou hast created, that it may be helpful to mankind, and grant that through the invocation of thy most holy name all those who use this chalk or with it write over the doors of their houses the names of thy saints: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, may by their merits and intercession receive health of body and protection of soul. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Later that day - or any day within the Octave of the
Feast of the Epiphany - at home, the ceremony is completed
by a priest, or the father, or senior member of the family.
The following prayer is said once and at the main entrance of
the house. All the family members should be present, and should
accompany the priest or the head of the family as he or she goes
from door to door - everone keeping a respectful silence, or
reciting the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.
20 + C + M + B + 22
The Adoration of the Magi by Fra Angelico; between 1423-1424; Abegg- Stiffung, Bern, Switzerland;
https://www.wga.hu
Christus Mansionem Benedicat - Christ Bless this House
Christus Mansionem Benedicat - Christ Bless this House
20 + Caspar + Melchior + Balthasar + 22
The Three Magi, Balthasar, Caspar, Melchior, from The Hortus
Deliciarum (The Garden of Delights, a pictorial encyclopedia)
by Herrad of Landsberg (a 12th centuryAlsatian nun and abbess of Hohenburg Abbey); 1185; Hohenburg Abbey, France; reproduction by Christian Maurice Engelhardt, 1818;
https://en.wikipedia.org
The Blessing of the House
Let us pray.
Hear us, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, and send thy holy angel from heaven to watch over, cherish, protect, be with, and defend all who live in my house.
I call upon your saints: Caspar, Melchoir and Balthasar, to protect my family and my home from every harm and danger, and I place the marks of their holy names over the doors of my home to remain there as a constant reminder to us and to all who enter here that my house is truly a house of the Lord.
O God, make the door of my house wide enough to receive all who need human love and companionship; narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride, and strife.
Make its threshold smooth enough to be no stumbling block to children, nor to straying feet but rugged and strong enough to turn back the tempters power.
O God, make the door of my house the gateway to they eternal kingdom. I ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, thy Son. Amen
Epiphany Blessing from Fr. Higgins, Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Parish, Newton/Needham, Massachusetts;
www.maryimmaculatenewton.org
20 + C + M + B + 22
20 + C + M + B + 22
Epiphany Blessing - Traditional House Blessing with Blessed Chalk
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for the Glory of God
The Apostolic Blessing by the Holy See in Rome is bestowed (October 28, 2013)
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