Fr Adrian shares a beautiful Catholic tradition for the Feast of the Epiphany, marking the door of our homes with blessed chalk. The inscription includes the current year and the letters C + M + B, recalling the names of the three wise men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, who came to adore the infant Jesus. This simple act is a prayer for God’s blessing and protection over our homes and all who enter. Is this a tradition you keep in your household, or will you begin it this year?
Transcript
A custom of Epiphany-tide is to mark the door of our homes with blessed chalk. The writing includes the current year of the Lord, and the letters C M B, which recall the names of the three wise men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, who came from the East to adore the Infant Saviour. The letters also stand for the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat, May God bless this house. Chalking the door, asking for God’s blessing and protection on our homes also recalls when the Israelites placed the blood of the Passover lamb on their doorposts, seeking God’s protection, that the angel of death would pass over that house. And so, just as the three wise men followed the star of God’s Son who took flesh two thousand and twenty-six years ago, we pray that Christ will bless our homes, their occupants and possessions; and that He will remain with us throughout the coming year, and that in our households Christ will be adored in every heart. Let us pray. Visit, O Lord, our homes with the gladness of Your presence. Bless all who live and visit there with the gift of Your love; and grant that we may show Your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of You. Guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, now and for ever. Amen.