Catholic Prayer: Roman Ritual: Blessing of Chalk on Epiphany

Description:

It is traditional for parish priests to bless chalk for each family so that they may mark the names of the three Magi over their doors, in the blessing of homes as a witness of their faith and protection against evil. This blessing is from the 1952 version of the Roman Ritual, translated by Philip Weller.

The chalk is a type of memento mori or literally, Memento homo ("Remember, man, you are dust and to dust you will return.") image, a reminder of the dust of the earth from which man was made. See Genesis 3:19.

Note that any color of chalk is valid for this blessing.

The feast of manifestation, or Epiphany, is traditionally celebrated the 12th day after Christmas, January 6th. In the dioceses of the United States this feast has been moved to the Sunday between January 2 and January 8.

See also a home blessing ceremony for Epiphany 2019.

Prayer:

P: Our help is in the name of The Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.

Bless, + O Lord God, this creature chalk to render it helpful to men. Grant that they who use it in faith and with it inscribe upon the entrance of their homes the names of thy saints, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, may through their merits and intercession enjoy health of body and protection of soul. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The chalk is sprinkled with holy water.

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