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The Epiphany shows that "the full
number of the nations" now takes its "place in the family of the
patriarchs," and... is made worthy of the heritage of Israel. |
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Catechism of the Catholic Church #528 |
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| Epiphany brings the Twelve Days
of Christmas to a close. We enjoy celebrating this in a grand fashion with
our Epiphany
party, but there are other traditions which help make this time
special. |
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Blessing of
chalk |
Materials needed:
- Chalk
- Holy water from your local parish
Ideally the chalk is blessed by a priest for the
solemnity of Epiphany. If you are not so fortunate as to have priest-blessed
chalk, be rest assured that it is our right by our Baptism to ask God's
blessing on our home and loved ones. Use the following prayer, and the holy
water from your local parish, to bless the chalk:
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| Leader: |
Our help is in the name of the Lord |
| All: |
Who made Heaven and earth |
| Leader: |
The Lord be with you. |
| All: |
And with your spirit |
| Leader: |
Bless, O Lord God, this creature chalk to render it
helpful to men. Grant that they who use is 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. Amen. (Sprinkle
chalk with holy water.) |
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Blessing of the Home |
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After the chalk is blessed, all should process to the front door to
write the following over the door:
20+C+B+M+08
The first and last numbers are the current year. CBM
stands for Christus Bendicat Mansionem, i.e. Christ
blesses this house. CBM also represents the traditional names of the wise men who
visited the infant Jesus, Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior.
Continue with the following prayer: |
| Leader: |
Peace be to this house |
| All: |
And to all who dwell here |
Antiphon:
All |
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 |
| Leader: |
Reads the
Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), then sprinkles holy water on the doorway
of the home. |
| All: |
Repeat Antiphon |
| All: |
Pray the
Lord's Prayer |
| Leader: |
The Lord be with you |
| All: |
And with your spirit. Let us pray. O God, Who
by the guidance of a star did 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 lives and reigns with thee in the Holy Spirit, God forever
and ever. Amen. |
| All: |
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. |
| Leader: |
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 a 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. Amen. |
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