Father Darren Balkey went from room to room at St. Leo School, marking each door during last year’s Epiphany celebrations. (Photos provided)The ancient Christian tradition of marking doorways with blessed chalk on the feast of the Epiphany carries a message of hope for many Catholics.
The blessing, popular in Poland and other Slavic countries, has spread to many parts of the world. It takes place on the liturgical feast marking the visitation of the Magi to the Christ Child and the revelation that Jesus is the Son of God.
The blessing involves taking simple chalk, usually blessed by a parish priest, and scrawling doorways with the symbolic numbers and letters: “20+C+M+B+24.”
The numbers represent the current year and the letters stand for the first letters of the traditional names of the magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. The letters are also an abbreviation for “Christus Mansionem Benedicat,” which is Latin for “May Christ bless this dwelling.”
Participants typically read passages from the New Testament and may sing Epiphany hymns.
The traditional date of Epiphany is Jan. 6, but in the United States it is celebrated on the Sunday between Jan. 2 and Jan. 8 – this year it falls on Jan. 7.
St. Mark Church’s front entrance was marked during Epiphany 2023. As part of your Epiphany celebrations, pray the blessing below and write “20+C+M+B+24” above the front door of your home using blessed chalk.
How to bless your home
When all have gathered, a suitable song may be sung. The leader makes the sign of the cross, and all reply, “Amen.”
The leader greets those present in the following words:
Let us praise God, who fills our hearts and homes with peace.
Blessed be God forever.
R/. Blessed be God forever.
In the following or similar words, the leader prepares those present for the blessing:
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling place among us. It is Christ who enlightens our hearts and homes with his love. May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love.
One of those present or the leader reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example, Luke 19:1-9.
The intercessions are then said:
Leader: The Son of God made his home among us. With thanks and praise let us call upon him.
R/. Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, with Mary and Joseph you formed the Holy Family: remain in our home, that we may know you as our guest and honor you as our Head.
We pray:
R/. Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, you had no place to lay your head, but in the spirit of poverty accepted the hospitality of your friends: grant that through our help the homeless may obtain proper
housing.
We pray:
R/. Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, the three kings presented their gifts to you in praise and adoration: grant that those living in this house may use their talents and abilities to your greater glory.
We pray:
R/. Stay with us, Lord.
After the intercessions the leader invites all present to say the Lord’s Prayer.
The leader says the prayer of blessing with hands joined:
Lord God of heaven and earth,
You revealed Your only-begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star.
Bless this house and all who inhabit it.
Fill them (us) with the light of Christ, that their (our) concern for others may reflect Your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
The leader concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the sign of the cross and saying:
May Christ Jesus dwell with us, keep us from all harm, and make us one in mind and heart, now and forever.
R/. Amen.
It is preferable to end the celebration with a suitable song, for example, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” or “We Three Kings.”
— Catholic News Herald. USCCB contributed.