On the Feast of the Epiphany, families ask for God’s blessings upon their homes. This Catholic tradition calls for parents to mark, with blessed chalk, the main entrance door with the initials of the Magi and a code of the current year. This year's mark will be:

20 + C + M + B + 24

The numbers stand for the year in which the blessing is inscribed (2024). The letters stand for the names traditionally given the Magi who found the Christ Child: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They are also an abbreviation for the Latin blessing: Christus mansionem benedicat, or "Christ bless this dwelling."

Blessed chalk and Holy water will be available after Masses the weekend of January 6-7.

Gather your family at the main entrance to your home.

All make the sign of the cross.

Parent: "Let us praise God, who fills our hearts and homes with peace.

Blessed be God forever."

Family: "Blessed be God forever."

Parent or reader: (reading from Sacred Scripture) "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 onentering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage." Matt 2:10-11

Parent imparts the blessing: "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 inhabit it. Fill them with the light of Christ, that their concern for others may reflect Your love. We ask this though Christ, our Lord."

Family: "Amen."

Then the parent sprinkles holy water on those gathered and sprinkles it about the home.