Treasures of the Church- Devotions

EPIPHANY HOUSEHOLD BLESSING

(On Epiphany, custom has us bless the front doorway of our households with chalk, inscribing the initials of the three wise men (Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar) and the year.  This custom is found in many cultures. You will need a piece of chalk and a small container of holy water, sign of our baptism and consecration to the Lord.  Gather with family members, fiends, an perhaps some neighbors at the front door.)


Leader: In the (+) name of the Father, and of the Son, an of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let the glory of Emmanuel be upon this household!
Legend gives these names to the Lord's visitors:
Caspar, Melchoir, and Balthasar.
Wish chalk, their initials sign this doorway, along with four crosses, and the numerals of the new year.

[20 + C + M + B + 07]

Let us pray: Christus mansionem benedicat, "May Christ bless this house!" May Chirst bless us all, now and forever.

All: Amen!

Leader (or the reader):
A reading from Paul's letter to the Ephesians:
S o then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints. You are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.
The Word of the Lord              All: Thanks be to God!

(In each room of the house, the leader prays for God's blessing and invites someone to sprinkle the room with holy water.)
Living Room:
In you we live and move and have our being.  Bless this room, O Lord. we pray through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen!

Kitchen:
You crown the year with bounty and goodness. Bless this room, O Lord. We pray through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen!

Dining Room:
Holy wisdom, you call us to your banquet. Bless this room, O Lord.
All: Amen!

Bedrooms:
Keep watch over us as we sleep. Bless this room, O Lord. We pray through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen!

Bathroom:
You cleanse us by water and your word. Bless this room, O Lord. We pray through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen!

All return to the front door to pray together.
Leader: Let us pray as Jesus taught us: Our Father...

The leader sprinkles all present with holy water and concludes:
Lord our God, we ask you to bless this household through all the days to come. We praise you  and thank you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever.
All: Amen!

 

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