Epiphany Home Blessing

The blessing of homes is an old custom in many countries. The current year, along with the initials C-M-B are marked above the doorway with blessed chalk:

20 + C + M + B + 23

C-M-B are the initials of the legendary names of the wise men, Caspar, Melchoir, and Balthasar. Another explanation of CMB is: Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless this dwelling place.” The four crosses are the four seasons.

Gather as a family in any room you would like with Holy Water and a candle/incense. As you mark the doorway, say the following prayer:

Blessed is this doorway.

May all who come to our home this year

rejoice to find Christ living among us

as we welcome them with respect and kindness

May all our comings and goings

be under the seal of God’s loving care.

May we seek and serve, in everyone we meet,

Jesus who is Lord forever and ever.

The family may now walk through the house, sprinkling each room with Holy Water and lighting a candle or incense. The following prayer is said:

Blessed be all the rooms of this home.

May each of them be holy and filled

with the spirit of happiness and peace, love, and affection.

May the spirit of pardon and affection reside with us

and always be ready to heal our division.

May the spirits of joy and laughter, hope and faith,

playfulness and prayer, compassion and love

be perpetual guests in our home.

May God’s holy blessing rest upon us all,

in the name of the Father, + and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.