Front door with Epiphany inscription

It’s customary to bless the house each year at Epiphany, with chalk and water which has been blessed for the purpose. This is generally distributed after Mass at Epiphany, and many churches make it freely available during the days afterward.

PDF


Magnificat

From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.

My soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now : and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.

Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

All they from Saba shall come
Bringing gold and frankincense.
O Lord, hear my prayer.
And let my cry come unto Thee.

The Blessing

Let us pray.
O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy Only Begotten Son to the Gentiles: mercifully grant, that we, which know thee now by faith, may be led onward through this earthly life, until we see the vision of thy heavenly glory. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee — Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary.
And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light and kings in the splendour of thy rising, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee.

Let us pray.
Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfilment of Thy law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Each room is then sprinkled with Holy Water.
Over the main entrance using the blessed chalk inscribe:
20 + C + M + B + 24
This is formed of the numbers of the year (2024) with the initials of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar); it also stands for Christus Mansionem Benedicat (May Christ bless this house).