The Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, has long held a special place in Catholic tradition, particularly as a time for families to bless their homes. This cherished custom recalls the visit of the Magi—Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar—to the Holy Family in Bethlehem. Their humble adoration of the Christ Child signified a divine acknowledgment of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, bringing blessings not only upon their journey but also upon the stable they visited.
A special way for the faithful to celebrate Epiphany is the invitation of a priest to perform the traditional Epiphany Home Blessing. This domestic ritual involves the use of Epiphany Holy Water, Chalk, and Incense blessed on the Eve of Epiphany. The priest begins by calling peace upon the home followed by the Epiphany antiphon and Our Lady’s Magnificat. The antiphon has us pray: “From the East came the Magi 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.” Meanwhile the priest goes around the home twice, blessing it first with the Epiphany Holy Water and then with the Blessed Incense. Holy water is sprinkled in each room, symbolizing purification and divine protection of the home against all evil and incense as a symbol of God’s divine presence with us and the importance of the family’s prayer rising to Heaven in the spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving with the words of Our Blessed Mother.
The ceremony ends with the priest marking the entrance of the home with Blessed Chalk, inscribing the year and the initials of CMB, creating a sacred seal: 20 ✞ C ✞ M ✞ B ✞ 25. These initials hold a dual significance: they represent both the names of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) and the abbreviation for the Latin invocation Christus Mansionem Benedicat, which means “May Christ bless this house.”
The origins of this custom can be found in the Old Testament's recounting of Salvation History prior to the coming of Christ, when the Israelites marked their doorposts with the blood of the lamb during the first Passover to be spared God's wrath (Exodus 12:7). In a similar way, the Epiphany inscription serves as both a physical and spiritual sign of God’s enduring protection and the consecration of the home's inhabitants to Him.
The Epiphany Home Blessing is more than a symbolic act; it is a consecration, inviting God’s peace, health, and guidance into the household for the coming year. It transforms the home into a sanctuary of grace, reminding all who enter that it is a place set apart for God’s presence.
This year, the Canons of Saint Gianna Oratory in Tucson, Arizona - Canon Jonathon Fehrenbacher and Canon Bryan Silvey - faithfully upheld this ancient custom, visiting more than 80 homes of area faithful to provide the Epiphany Blessing. These blessings consecrated each dwelling to Christ for the New Year, and the Canons were able to humbly witness the generosity of the many families who warmly welcomed the clergy, servers, and drivers assisting with the journey. To those who participated, they extend their heartfelt gratitude for your hospitality, prayers, and many thoughtful gestures. May the inscriptions on your doorways serve as a constant reminder of God’s providence and protection throughout the year!