It has been a tradition in the Catholic Church to bless chalk on the Feast of Epiphany, and then use the blessed chalk as part of blessing homes in the New Year.
The home blessing can be done as follows:
Use the blessed chalk to write above the doorways:
20+C+M+B+26
20 & 26 for the year; C, M, B for the 3 Wise Men – Casper, Melchior, and Balthasar – and for Christus Mansionem Benedicat, Latin for “May Christ bless this house.”
As you are writing, pray one of the following prayers:
Lord God of heaven and earth, Thou hast revealed thy only-begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Deign to bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our charity amongst ourselves and for others may reflect Thy love. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
– or –
Lord our God, deign to bless this household. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentleness, and the keeping of Thy holy law. We give thanks to Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
