How to Bless Your Home on the Feast of the Epiphany in 2025
(Repost)
On the feast of the Epiphany, many Catholics bless their homes by writing the letters C, M, and B and the numbers of the year on the top of their front door frame with chalk.
This year, the sequence is: 20 + C + M + B + 25
This combination of letters and numbers holds a special meaning.
The letters represent two different things:
First, they stand for the names of the three wise men: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.
Secondly, they also represent the Latin blessing “Christus mansionem benedicat” which translates to “May Christ bless this house.”
The crosses between each figure signify our salvation through Christ.
Here are 7 benefits of this tradition:
1. Blessing and Protection: The chalk is a sacramental, symbolizing God’s blessing and protection upon the home and its inhabitants.
2. Faith Formation: It is an opportunity for families to come together in prayer and deepen their faith.
3. Evangelization: The marked door serves as a witness to the Christian faith to neighbors and passersby.
4. Reminder of Christ’s Presence: The chalk mark reminds residents that Christ is present in their homes and lives.
5. Unity with the Church: Participating in this tradition connects individuals and families to the universal Church and its liturgical calendar.
6. Continuity with Tradition: It is a way to maintain a connection with ancient Christian practices and customs.
7. Prayer for Blessings: The ritual includes prayers for blessings on the home, family, and all who enter.
In this epoch, we must always protect our home and our family because we are in the age of spiritual warfare.
HOUSE BLESSING
P: Let us pray. O Lord, Almighty God, bless this house + that it may become a shelter of health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, goodness, mildness, obedience to the commandments, and thanksgiving to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Upon this house and those who dwell herein may Your blessing remain forever, through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
The father of the family and the three “kings” take blessed chalk (one piece each) and proceed to the front door, accompanied by the priest. While all look on, the father reads the corresponding words as the kings inscribe their initials onto the lintel. (The initials CMB also stand for Christus mansionem benedicat: May Christ bless this house.)
Final inscription on lintel should read: 2 0 + C + M + B + 2 5
“The three wise men,
Caspar, [Caspar inscribes ‘C’ on lintel] C
Melchior, [Melchior inscribes ‘M’] M
and Balthasar [Balthasar inscribes ‘B’] B
followed the star of God’s Son who became man
two thousand [The father inscribes the ‘2 0’ on left] 2 0
twenty-five years ago. [The father inscribes ‘2 5′ on right] 2 5
“May Christ bless our dwelling, [The father places + after ‘2 0’] +
and remain with us throughout the new year, [ + after ‘C’] +
and grant that our comings and goings [ + after ‘M’] +
will be in search of truth [ + after ‘B’] +
Priest/Father: Almighty God, incline your ear. May you bless us and all who are gathered here. Send your holy angel who will defend us and fill with grace all who live here.
All: Amen.
The father and the “Three Kings” now accompany the priest as he blesses the house with holy water. Everyone sings:
We Three Kings of Orient Are
We three Kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain following yonder star.
Refrain: O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a babe on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign.
Refrain.
Frankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray’r and praising, all men raising, Worship him God most high.
Refrain
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb. Refrain
Glorious now, behold Him arise, King and God sacrifice!
Alleluia, Alleluia Earth to Heav’n replies.
Refrain.
For the full version:
Note: I was personally a bit late this year, and just Blessed my home January 12th. God Bless each of your home with peace, joy, protection from God’s angels. May all who enters your home be Blessed with the love and mercy of God 🙏💕
Be Inspired! 