THE EPHIPHANY BLESSING

Marking Homes with Blessed Chalk for the New Year After reading today’s Gospel, pray:

Lord Jesus, in your humble state you welcomed kings and shepherds alike. May all who pass through this doorway – poor or rich, suffering or rejoicing, stranger or friend – be welcomed as the King Himself. Grant peace to this house and to the house of our hearts that we may seek and find you in everyone we meet. You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.Amen.

After the blessing is recited, walk through the house and bless each room by sprinkling with holy water. Take the blessed chalk and first write the initials of the three Wise Men, connected with Crosses, over the inside of your front door (on the lintel, if possible). Then write the year, breaking up the numbers and the year so that they fall on both sides of the initials. It should look like this: 20 C + M + B 26