Epiphany Blessing of Home or Household

It is tradition on the Feast of Epiphany for Catholics to bless their homes and households, sometimes using chalk to write the letters C, M, and B along with the year on the top of their doorways. The letters represent the Latin blessing Christus mansionem benedicat, which means “May Christ bless this house.” They are also the first letters of the names that have been traditionally given to the three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.

An example of a blessing, taken from Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers, can be found below.

Blessing of a Home Ceremony

Introduction

Leader makes the Sign of the Cross

R/. Amen

Leader:  Let us praise God, who fills our hearts and homes with peace. Blessed be God forever.

R/. Blessed be God forever.

Leader (with these or similar words):  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling place among us. It is Christ who enlightens our hearts and homes with his love. May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love.

Gospel

(The reading below from Luke or a similar Gospel passage can be shared)

Leader or other reader:

Listen to the words of the holy Gospel according to Luke: Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.”

Intercessions 

Leader: The Son of God made his home among us. With thanks and praise let us call upon him.

R/. Stay with us, Lord.

Leader:  Lord Jesus Christ, with Mary and Joseph you formed the Holy Family: remain in our home, that we may know you as our guest and honor you as our Head. We pray:

R/. Stay with us, Lord.

Leader:  Lord Jesus Christ, you had no place to lay your head, but in the spirit of poverty accepted the hospitality of your friends: grant that through our help the homeless may obtain proper housing. We pray:

R/. Stay with us, Lord.

Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, the three kings presented their gifts to you in praise and adoration: grant that those living in this house may use their talents and abilities to your greater glory. We pray;

R/. Stay with us, Lord.

Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

Prayer of Blessing (with hands joined)

Leader:
Lord God of heaven and earth,
you revealed your only begotten Son to every nation
by the guidance of a star.
Bless this house
and all who inhabit it.
Fill them (us) with the light of Christ,
that their (our) concern for others may reflect your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.

Writing with Chalk (Optional)

Above your doorway, first write the first two numbers of the year (20), then the letters C,M,B, and then the remaining two numbers of the year (24). Separate the numbers and letters by plus signs, representing the cross, so that they appear as: 20 + C + M + B + 24.

Conclusion

Leader concludes the rite by making the sign of the cross and saying:

May Christ Jesus dwell with us,
keep us from all harm,
and make us one in mind and heart,
now and forever.
R/. Amen.

End the celebration with a suitable song, for example, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” or “We Three Kings.”

From Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers