Catholic Prayer: Roman Ritual: Blessing of Homes on Epiphany

Description:

It is a tradition for the priest, or when unavailable the father, to bless the home at Epiphany, inscribing the initials of the wise men above the door, using the Blessed Chalk and when possible the Blessed Water for Epiphany. This blessing is from the 1952 version of the Roman Ritual translated by Philip Weller.

Prayer:

Upon entering:

P: Peace be unto this home.
All: And unto all that dwell herein.

Antiphon:
From the East the Magi came to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures, they offered costly gifts: gold to the great King, incense to the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial. Alleluia.

Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Magnificat, Luke 1, 46-55

My soul doth magnify the Lord.
And my spirit doth rejoice in God my Savior.
For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaid; lo, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He that is mighty hath done great things for me, and holy is His name.
And His mercy is from generation to generation to them that fear Him.
He hath shown strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
The hungry He hath filled with good things; the rich He hath sent away empty.
He hath helped Israel, His servant, being mindful of His mercy.
As He hath promised our fathers, Abraham and his seed forever.
Glory to the Father.

Meanwhile the home is sprinkled and incensed, and at the end of the canticle repeat the antiphon: From the East, etc.

Our Father inaudibly until:
P: And lead us not into temptation.
All: But deliver us from evil.
P: Many shall come from Saba.
All: Bearing gold and incense.
P: O Lord, hear my prayer.
All: And let my cry come unto thee.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.

Let us pray.
O God, Who by the guidance of a star didn't this day reveal thy Sole-Begotten Son to the Gentiles, grant that we who now know thee by Faith may be brought to the contemplation of thy heavenly majesty. Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, Who live the and reign etch with thee I. Unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Responsory: Be enlightened and shine forth, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and upon thee is risen the glory of the Lord, Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.

P: Nations shall walk in thy light, and kings in the splendor of thy birth.
All: And the glory of The Lord is risen upon thee.

Let us pray.
Bless, + O Lord, almighty God this home that it be the shelter of health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, goodness, mildness, obedience to the commandments, and thanksgiving to God the Father, Son, and Holy spirit. May blessing remain for all time upon this dwelling and them that live herein. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Prayer Source: Roman Ritual: Volume III, The Blessings by Philip T. Weller, The Bruce Publishing Company, 1952