EPIPHANY 2023- CHALKING THE DOORS

This weekend we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord - the commemoration of the 3 Magi who travelled from afar, following the star in the East to Bethlehem to offer gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to the Christ Child.

We once again gave out blessed chalk to those at Mass to continue the tradition of chalking the doorposts at Epiphany.

 

If you were unable to attend today, you can still do the Epiphany blessing. Posted below is the blessing for the doorposts that we have used in previous years. Please use it with any chalk that you might have left over from previous years or with any chalk at all. It would be a wonderful thing for all of us to bless our houses this Epiphany.

*****************************************************************

The letters C, M, B have two meanings:

• They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.

• They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.”

The “+” signs represent the cross and 2023 is the year.

 

Here’s a suggested format for the blessing:

All make the Sign of the Cross.

Leader: “Peace be to this house and to all who dwell here, in the name of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Reader: When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

The word of the Lord.

ALL: Thanks be to God

 

Using chalk, write on the outside of your house or inside above the front main entrance, above or next to an entrance:

 

+20 Christus Mansionem Benedicat 23+ or +20 C M B 23+

 

These words mean. “May Christ bless this house” or you may use the names of the Magi:

 

+20 Caspar Melchior Balthazar 23+ or +20 C M B 23+

 

All: Lord God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who live here and all who visit. May we be blessed with health, kindness of heart, gentleness and the keeping of your law. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our love for each other may go out to all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.