Update: If you're wondering why I changed the image at the head of this post, it's because I realized that the first image of a chalked door included the wrong letters (+C+M+D) for the initials of the Magi!
Diana Macalintal, of the Liturgy Office of the Diocese of San Jose has posted on her blog, Work of the People, a simple and beautiful home blessing for Epiphany.
The blessing of homes on Epiphany (celebrated this year on Sunday, January 3) enjoys a long history. It's an old custom to chalk an inscription on the front door of your home, 20 + C + M + B 11, signifying the numerals of the new year, three Crosses and the initials of the legendary names of the Magi, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, or the Latin phrase, Christus Mansionem Benedicat (May Christ bless this house).
The image above is dated by 2 years but it gets the idea across.
Got chalk?
The short prayer service includes a Litany and Prayer of Blessing written by Macalintal: both are very beautiful texts and well worth your clicking on the link above to read and ponder - even if you don't chalk your door!
That website - wow! I love the litany and prayer.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and blessings of Epiphany to you.
I was unfamiliar with this Epiphany custom. Is it very widespread in our area?
ReplyDeleteRosemary
I don't know. Some years back we distributed "Epiphany Home Blessing Kits" on Epiphany: a plastic bag with chalk, holy water and a prayer service. I think we did that for three (not consecutive) years.
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