The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord (also known as Twelfth Night, Theophany, or Three Kings Day) marks the occasion of a time-honored Christian tradition of “chalking the doors.” The chalking of the doors is a centuries-old practice throughout the world. It is an easy tradition to adopt, and a great practice whereby we dedicate our year to God from its very outset, asking His blessing on our homes and on all who live, work or visit them there.
Interestingly, the month of January still bears the name of the Roman god Janus, the doorkeeper of heaven and protector of the beginning and end of things. This blessing “christens” the ancient Roman observance of the first month. The inscription is made of chalk, a product of clay, which recalls the human nature taken by the Adorable and Eternal Word of God in the womb of the Virgin Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The blessing of homes is done thru performing specific rites of blessing of the home purposed for the Feast of the Epiphany. After the prayers and readings of the blessing are recited, walk through the house and bless each door by sprinkling with Epiphany water and incensing it (if not available, Holy water would be fine). Traditionally the blessing is done by either a priest or the head of the family.
Most often the chalking rites take place after the Epiphany Mass until the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord (more popularly known as “Candlemas”), and can be done at any church, home, or dwelling place.
The Inscription
In the rite of chalking, one may notice the inscription: 20 + C + M + B + 22 (The last digits changes as the year change).
The letters have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. Another meaning of the inscription is an abbreviation of the Latin words “Christus mansionem benedicat.” which means “May Christ bless the house.” The letters recall the day on which the inscription is made, as well as the purpose of blessing.
The crosses represent the protection of the Precious Blood of Christ, whom we invoke, and the holiness of the Three Magi sanctified by their adoration of the Infant Christ. The inscription is made above the front door, so that all who enter and depart this year may enjoy God’s blessing.
The rite of chalking the door is a way to ask God’s blessing of our lives and our home. With time the chalk will fade. As it does we let the meaning of the symbols written sink into the depths of our heart and be manifest in our words and actions the Latin words, “Christus mansionem benedictat,” [May Christ bless the house.]
It is a popular custom among some people that all who enter or re-enter their home for the first time after the blessing should step with their right foot across the threshold so as to start things off “on the right foot.”
This pious practice is more laudable and more pleasing to God for we allow him to enter, bless and protect our homes unlike the occult practices that the mainstream media promotes like “feng shui” and other superstitious beliefs, they are actually offending God by committing the sin of divination, an offense against the First Commandment.
We invite you to adopt this custom in your family. The family gathers to ask God’s blessing on their home and on those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.
To proceed with the rite, the chalks must be blessed first for this use. The following is the rite of blessing of chalks for the chalking rites.
The Rite of Blessing of Chalks
Must be done by the Priest on the Mass of the Epiphany
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.
Let us pray: Bless, + O Lord God, this creature, chalk, and let it be a help to mankind. Grant that those who will use it with faith in your most holy name, and with it inscribe on the doors of their homes the names of your saints, Casper, Melchior, and Baltazar, may through their merits and intercession enjoy health in body and protection of soul; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Although there were numerous versions of the rite of chalking, you may use this suggested form that was utilized in most churches that is available for the use of the faithful.
The Rite of Chalking of Doors
Leader: God’s peace be in this home.
All: And in all who live here.
Ant.: Magi from the East came to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasure chests they presented Him with precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial. Alleluia.
The Magnificat
My soul + proclaims the greatness of the Lord,my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked with favor on His humble servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed,the Almighty has done great things for me,and holy is His Name. He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,and has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich He has sent away empty. He has come to the help of His servant Israelfor He has remembered his promise of mercy,the promise He made to our fathers,to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory be …
Ant.: Magi from the East came to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasure chests they presented Him with precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial. Alleluia.
Then write the inscription for this year above your front door with blessed chalk. The lintel of the main door of the house (and other doors if desired) is marked by the head of the household in the following way:
20 + C + M + B + 20
Whilst saying the following prayer:
“The Three Wise Men, Caspar (write the letter C), Melchior (write the letter M) and Balthazar (write the letter B ) followed the star of God’s Son Who became man, Two Thousand (write the numbers 20 in front) and Twenty two years ago (write the numbers 22 at the end). May Christ bless our home (inscribe the first two crosses between 20 and C and between C and M), and remain with us through the new year (then the last two crosses between M and B and between B and 20).”
P: Many shall come from Saba.
All: Bearing gold and incense.
P: Lord, heed my prayer.
All: And let my cry be heard by you.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
Let us Pray:
Almighty God, incline your ear. Bless us and all who are gathered here. Send your holy angel who will defend us and fill with grace all who dwell here. Amen.
The head of the family then proceeds to sprinkle the interior of the home with the blessed Epiphany Water.
Responsory: Be enlightened and shine forth, O Jerusalem, for your light is come; and upon you is risen the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.
Leader: Nations shall walk in your light, and kings in the splendor of Your birth.
All: And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
Then pray the “Our Father” …
Let us pray: Lord God almighty, bless + this home, and under its shelter let there be health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, goodness, mildness, obedience to your commandments, and thanksgiving to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. May your blessing remain always in this home and on those who live here; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
You may end the rite of chalking of doors after the chalking the last door with the Act of Entrustment of the Home to Mary, Help of Christians:
Act of Entrustment of the Home to Mary, Help of Christians
Most Holy Virgin Mary, appointed by God to be the Help of Christians, we choose you as the Mother and protectress of our home. We ask you to favor us with your powerful protection. Preserve our home from every danger: from fire, flood, lightning, storm, earthquake, thieves, vandals, and from every other danger. Bless us. Protect us. Defend us. Keep as your own all the people who dwell in this home. Protect them from all accidents and misfortunes, but above all obtain for them the most important grace of avoiding sin. Mary, Help of Christians, pray for all those who live in this home, which is entrusted to you for all time. Amen.
References:
Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, “Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy. Principles and Guidelines”. Vatican City, 2021.
“The Rite of Blessing of Blessed Chalk and of the Home on Epiphany”, leaflet
Skojec, Jamie, “The Chalking of the Doors: An Epiphany Tradition Explained”, Retrieved from https://onepeterfive.com/the-chalking-of-the-doors-an-epiphany-tradition-explained/ on December 30, 2021.
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