The Epiphany blessing of chalk and homes is a centuries old tradition where priests would visit each home in their parish after the Feast of the Epiphany. The Priests would use “Blessed” Chalk and perform a ritual and prayers the same or similar to the one that I have included in and as a download within this post.
Over time it became more difficult to accomplish such a feat as parishes became larger and larger and priests were stretched thin. For this reason it became an accepted tradition that a member of the household is able to lead this blessing in place of the priest.
Whether a parish Blesses Chalk or not, I believe invoking a Blessing on one’s Apartment, Condo or Home is a great practice to prevent and /or mitigate the negative influence of non-Christian entities, and Satan Influencers, that may attempt to gain entry to your home.
It is also a great way to shower you and your guests with God’s Grace, raining down every time you and they enter and exit your living space. Of course for Grace to be received by the person, one must believe and have Faith that God’s Grace abounds around us, I.E. we have an interior disposition to be receptive to be receiving God’s Grace that is abounding around us. This is a great discussion to have with your guests either overtly or when they notice the inscription on the door’s lintel. The Head of a Household has tremendous power to ask God to shower their living space with protective Graces when the marking of the doorway is done in a sincere and prayerful manner.
As for Chalk, I purchased the following from Amazon and it works quite well. Depending upon the color of the surface that you are writing on you have options to select a color that will be visible to all, Huntz Dustless Chalk
Note: The Blessing Document referred to in this post is the one that was used for 2022, as the inscription reads 20 † C † M † B † 22. , however for January 2023, simply advance the last numeral which designates the year, by 1, so the inscription you will be creating this year will read 20 † C † M † B † 23. Fiat!
Source of this version of a House Blessing St.Thomas Becket Parish
THE BLESSING OF DOORS 2023
Each year on the Feast of the Epiphany, many Christians around the world bless their homes by writing an inscription with chalk on the inside lintel above the front door so that all who enter and depart through the door during this year may enjoy God’s blessing. This year’s inscription will read 20 † C † M † B † 23. The numbers in the inscription designate the New Year and represent an annualrenewal of God’s blessing. The letters in the middle have two meanings:
- They are the initials of the traditional names of the Magi Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.)
- They also abbreviate the Latin words, Christus mansionem benedicat, that is, May Christ bless this house.The crosses represent Christ. The inscription is written in chalk, because chalk is a product of clay and it recalls that God took on human nature in this holy season.
Mark: and say:
20 † C † M † B † 23
Shepherds and Magi, the meek and the mighty – all were welcome in Bethlehem. Each came from different places, following a star and seeking Christ born in a manger. As Christ welcomed all who came to the manger, we welcome all who enter here.
PRAYER:
Radiant God,
we come to you seeking wisdom.
May our gifts be a sign, as were the gifts of the travelers of old, that wisdom is marked by offering ourselves
and the continued search for Christ among us.
Bless all who enter our home.
Grant that we may shine with the light and wisdom of Christ, in whose name we pray now and forever.
Amen.