Epiphany Blessing of the Home and Household
The traditional date of Epiphany is January 6th, but in the United States it is celebrated on the Sunday between January 2nd and January 8th. This Blessing of the Home and Household can be done on either date. When all have gather, a suitable song may be sung (i.e. Nowell, We Three Kings, etc.)
Everybody makes the sign of the cross, and all reply....."Amen"....The blessing begins.
Leader: Let us glorify Christ our light, who fills our hearts and homes with peace. Blessed be God forever.
All: Blessed be God forever.
Leader: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling place among us. It is Christ who enlightens our hearts and homes with his love. May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love.
Leader/Reader chooses and reads one of the below readings:
Listen to the words of the words of the holy Gospel according to Luke (19:1-9)
Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over. ” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.”
Leader/Reader: The Gospel of the Lord
All: Praise be to you Lord Jesus Christ
Intercessions Begin:
Leader: The Son of God made his home among us. With thanks and praise let us call upon him.
All: Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, with Mary and Joseph you formed the Holy Family: remain in our home, that we may know you as our guest and honor you as our Head. We pray:
All: Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, you had no place to lay your head, but in the spirit of poverty accepted the hospitality of your friends: grant that through our help the homeless may obtain proper housing. We pray:
All: Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, the three kings presented their gifts to you in praise and adoration: grant that those living in this house may use their talents and abilities to your greater glory. We pray:
All: Stay with us, Lord.
Leader: Let us pray the words our Lord taught us…..
All: Our Father….
All join hands for the final blessing.
Leader:
Lord God of heaven and earth, you reveal your only-begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. 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.
Let us pray.
Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home and all its inhabitants, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment 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.
Fill them (us) with the light of Christ,
that their (our) concern for others may reflect your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen
Holy water can be sprinkled throughout the home with the sign of the cross being done in each room as well as each member of the house hold.
Then write the initials of the Magi connected with crosses at the top of your front door. Then the numbers of the year. The numbers will be split so that they are on each side of the initials.
Here’s an example:
20 + C + M + B + 24
Traditionally on the feast of Epiphany, Catholics bless their homes by writing the letters C, M and B and the numbers of the year, for example 2022, at the top of their doors. The letters stand for the names of the three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. They also represent the Latin blessing Christus mansionem benedicat, which means “May Christ bless this house.” This tradition is done at the beginning of each year so that you can invite God into your homes and place your family under his protection.
Leader: May Christ Jesus dwell with us, keep us from all harm, and make us one in mind and heart, now and forever.
All: Amen.
The blessing concludes with a suitable song for example, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” or “We Three Kings.”
Saturday Mass Schedule:
4:00 PM-ST. CATHERINE SIENNA MISSION PARISH (HUMANSVILLE)
6:30 PM-SACRED HEART (BOLIVAR)
Sunday Mass Schedule
8:00 AM-SACRED HEART (BOLIVAR)
10:30 AM-SACRED HEART (BOLIVAR)
Sacred Heart Catholic Church: 1405 W Fair Play St, Bolivar, MO, 65613
Office Hours:
8:00 AM-4:00PM (Closed for Lunch from 12:00PM-1:00PM and on Holy Days)
Phone Number: 417-326-5596