Ethan Walker
A house blessing is a long-held Catholic tradition that can be performed by a priest or homeowner. Blessings are often performed during the celebration of the Epiphany, where chalk is used to write a special inscription above the home's entrance. Holy water is also commonly used in blessings, with some people choosing to sprinkle it in each room of the house. A prayer is usually said during the blessing, such as: When Christ took flesh, he made his home with us. Let us now pray that he will enter this home and bless it with his presence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prayer | "Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name all who use it in faith to write upon the doors of their homes the names of your saints, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit their home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." |
| Scripture Reading | "Peace to this house. The Lord said to the seventy-two: 'Into whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it, and say to them, “The kingdom of God is at hand for you.'" |
| Holy Water | Sprinkle holy water in each room of your house while singing hymns or praying the rosary. |
| Chalk Inscription | Write "20 + C + M + B + 25" above the home's entrance. The letters C, M, and B stand for the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, and the first letters of the Latin phrase "Christus mansionem benedicat," which means "May Christ bless this house." |
| Sign of the Cross | Make the sign of the cross together as a family. |
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What You'll Learn
Holy water
When blessing a house with holy water, it is customary to sprinkle or spray it around the front door or entrance of the home. This act symbolises a prayer for all who enter the home to be cleansed and filled with God's love and blessing. In addition to the entrance, holy water can also be sprinkled in each room of the house while singing hymns or praying.
During a Catholic house blessing, the priest may also bless sacramentals, such as holy images, icons, statues, rosaries, and crucifixes, using holy water. These sacramentals serve as visual reminders to strive for holiness and strengthen one's relationship with God.
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Scripture readings
Old Testament Readings
- Genesis 18:1-10a: "Lord, do not pass your servant by."
- Psalm 112: "Happy are those who fear the Lord."
- Psalm 127: 1, 2, 3-4, 5: "The Lord will build a house for us."
- Psalm 128: 1-2, 3, 4-6a: "See how the Lord blesses those who fear him."
New Testament Readings
- Mark 1:29-30: Jesus went to Simon's house.
- Luke 10:38-42: Martha welcomed Jesus into her house.
- Luke 19:1-9: "Today salvation has come to this house."
- Luke 24:28-32: "Stay with us."
- Matthew 2:1-16 (optional): The story of the Epiphany, which is particularly relevant if the house blessing is taking place around the time of this feast day.
- Luke 10:5-9: "Peace to this house."
Gospel Readings
- John 15:9-17: Jesus said, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love."
- Matthew 7:24-29: The parable of the wise and foolish builders.
- Mark 2:1-12: Jesus heals a paralysed man and forgives his sins.
- Luke 11:14-28: Jesus casting out demons.
These Scripture readings can be selected and adapted to suit the circumstances and intentions of the house blessing. It is also recommended that the minister or a suitable person present explains the biblical text and its significance to those in attendance.
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Chalk inscriptions
The Epiphany house blessing is a centuries-old Catholic tradition where priests would visit each home in their parish after the Feast of the Epiphany. Over time, as parishes grew, it became a tradition for a member of the household to lead the blessing. The blessing has biblical roots, deeply tied to the Passover in the book of Exodus.
The chalking formula for the Epiphany blessing is YY+C+M+B+YY. The first two numbers represent the first two digits of the current year, and the final two numbers represent the same. The letters C, M, and B stand for Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, the three Wise Men or Magi. They are also the first letters of the Latin phrase "Christus mansionem benedicat", which means "May Christ bless this house". The crosses represent the cross of the Lord.
The chalk should be blessed with holy water by a member of the clergy. The prayer from the Roman Ritual 1952 is as follows:
> Our help is in the name of The Lord.
> Who made heaven and earth.
> The Lord be with you.
> And with your spirit. Bless, O Lord God, this creature chalk to render it helpful to men. Grant that they who use it in faith and with it inscribe upon the entrance of their homes the names of thy saints, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, may through their merits and intercession enjoy health of body and protection of soul. Through Christ our Lord.
The chalked inscription should not be removed until the next year when a new threshold blessing is performed.
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Prayer
A Catholic house blessing typically involves a prayer, a reading, and the use of holy water and blessed chalk. Here is a step-by-step guide to performing a Catholic house blessing:
Begin by making the sign of the cross and saying the following prayer:
> "When Christ took flesh, he made his home with us. Let us now pray that he will enter this home and bless it with his presence. May he always be here among us; may he nurture our love for each other, share in our joys, and comfort us in our sorrows. We pray this in the name of Jesus, our Lord."
Reading
After the prayer, a reading from Scripture is often included. Here is an example:
> "You are God's chosen ones. He loves you. You should be clothed in sincere compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same."
Alternatively, you can read from the Gospel of Luke:
> "Peace to this house. The Lord said to the seventy-two: 'Into whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this household.” If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it, and say to them, “The kingdom of God is at hand for you.'"
Additional Prayers
Other prayers that can be included in the house blessing are:
> "Lord, do not pass your servant by."
> "Happy are those who fear the Lord. Happy the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commands. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever. He dawns through the darkness, a light for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just."
> "An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear till he looks down upon his foes. Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory."
> "The Lord will build a house for us. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him."
After the prayers and readings, the minister or priest may sprinkle holy water on those present and around the house, saying:
> "Let this water call to mind our Baptism into Christ, who has redeemed us by his death and resurrection. May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, and may the word of Christ in all its richness dwell in us, so that whatever we do in word and in work, we will do in the name of the Lord. Amen."
It is considered beneficial to end the house blessing with a song or hymn.
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Hymns
Psalm 112: Happy Are Those Who Fear the Lord
This hymn is taken from the book of Psalms in the Bible. It speaks of the blessings that come to those who fear and delight in the Lord. It also mentions the Lord's promise of wealth, riches, and generosity to those who follow Him.
Psalm 127 and Psalm 128: The Lord Will Build a House for Us
These psalms speak of the Lord's blessing and protection over those who fear Him. They are a reminder that it is the Lord who builds our homes and establishes our families. The hymns derived from these psalms are a beautiful way to invite God's presence into your home and to ask for His blessing and protection.
"Peace to This House"
This hymn is based on the biblical passage Luke 10:5-9, where Jesus sends out his disciples to spread the gospel and offers them guidance on how to interact with the people they meet. It is a prayer for peace within the home and a reminder that the home is a place of refuge and comfort.
"Stay with Us"
Found in Luke 24:28-32, this hymn is a request for God's presence to remain with us and within our homes. It is a recognition of the importance of God's presence in our lives and our desire for Him to be an integral part of our homes and families.
These are just a few examples of hymns that are appropriate for a Catholic house blessing. You can choose to sing these or select other hymns that hold special significance for you and your family. The important aspect is to use music and song to uplift and focus your hearts and minds on God during this special ceremony.
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Frequently asked questions
You can prepare chalk and holy water. You can bless the chalk with a prayer, and then use it to write a special inscription above your home's entrance. You can also place holy water around the house.
The inscription written over the door changes every year. For this year, 2023, you should write: "20 + C + M + B + 25". The letters C, M, and B are the initials of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They are also the first letters of the Latin words "Christus mansionem benedicat", which means "May Christ bless this house".
Yes, here is a prayer that you can use: "When Christ took flesh, he made his home with us. Let us now pray that he will enter this home and bless it with his presence. May he always be here among us; may he nurture our love for each other, share in our joys, and comfort us in our sorrows. We pray this in the name of Jesus our Lord."
