Epiphany Blessing for Homes
UPON ENTERING THE HOUSE [OR AT THE FRONT DOOR]:
Priest/Head of Household (Leader) : Peace be to this house. All : And to all who dwell herein.
Leader : 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.
THE ROOM IS SPRINKLED WITH HOLY WATER WHILE ALL PRAY THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURE.
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 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 remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever. Glory be 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 : 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.
Leader : 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 and lead us not into temptation,
All : But deliver us from evil.
Leader : All they from Seba shall come All : Bringing gold and frankincense.
Leader : O Lord, hear my prayer. All : And let my cry come unto You.
Leader : Let us pray. O God, who by the guidance of a star did on this day manifest Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we who know You by faith may also attain the vision of Your glorious majesty. Through Christ our Lord. All : Amen.
Leader : Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you– Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.
All : And the Gentiles shall walk in your light and kings in the splendor of your rising, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Leader : Let us pray. Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Your law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.
AFTER THE PRAYERS OF THE BLESSING ARE RECITED, WALK THROUGH THE HOUSE AND BLESS EACH ROOM BY SPRINKLING WITH HOLY WATER. TAKE THE BLESSED CHALK AND FIRST WRITE THE INITIALS OF THE THREE WISE MEN, CONNECTED WITH CROSSES, OVER THE INSIDE OF YOUR FRONT DOOR (ON THE LINTEL, IF POSSIBLE). THEN WRITE THE YEAR, BREAKING UP THE NUMBERS AND THE YEAR SO THAT THEY FALL ON BOTH SIDES OF THE INITIALS. IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE THIS:
20 C + M + B 23
WITH THE “20 “BEING THE MILLENNIUM AND CENTURY, THE “C” STANDING FOR THE FIRST WISE MAN, CASPAR, THE “M” STANDING FOR MELCHIOR, THE “B” STANDING FOR BALTHASAR, AND THE “23” STANDING FOR THE DECADE AND YEAR. IT IS ALSO POPULARLY BELIEVED THAT THE KINGS’ INITIALS STAND FOR “CHRISTUS MANSIONEM BENEDICAT” (“CHRIST BLESS THIS HOUSE”).
It is preferable to end the celebration with a suitable song, for example, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” or “We Three Kings.”
