Epiphany house blessing

The Epiphany House Blessing is a time-honored tradition for many Catholics worldwide. Through this blessing, our parish families welcome Christ into their homes and hearts and ask him to bless the upcoming year.

We'll distribute Epiphany House Blessing kits on the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, December 31 and January 1, and the Feast of the Epiphany, January 4 and 5. The kits include holy water, chalk, and a prayer card.

Marking the doorway to one's home is rooted in the Old Testament. The Israelites marked their doors with the lamb's blood on the night of the Passover, and some modern Jews today nail a piece of parchment inscribed with a verse from the Torah on their doorposts.

The inscription in chalk on the door or doorpost includes the year separated by three crosses and the letters C, M, and B. The inscription appears as:

20 + C + M + B + 25

The crosses represent the cross of our Lord. The letters carry dual meanings. First, they are the initials of the three wise men, Caspar, Malchoir, and Balthazar. Second, they are the abbreviated Latin prayer, "Christus mansionem benedicat (May Christ bless the house)."