Epiphany House Blessing
aka "Chalking the Door"
Celebrated on the Feast of the Epiphany, (January 5, 2025), it is a tradition of using chalk to write above the home’s entrance asking for God’s blessing on the home and those who dwell in or visit the home.
 
As the family gathers together in prayer, it is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our lives and home.
Meaning of Letters and Numbers
​C + M + B + 2025
The numbers represent the current year.

The letters C M B are the first letters of the prayer "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" which means, "May Christ bless this dwelling!"

Tradition also reflects they are the initials of the Magi, or three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.

The "+" signs represent the cross.
What is Needed?
  • Gather your household family members.
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  • Pray: Use the suggested blessing and prayers below or create your own.
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  • Write the inscription in chalk above or beside the main entrance of your home, either on the exterior or interior side. C+M+B+2025
Prayer for Chalking the Door
Suggested Blessing & Short Reading

Opening:
All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Leader says: Peace be to this house and to all who dwell here, in the name of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
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Short Reading:
Leader says: When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” After their audience with the king, they set out.

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 on entering the house they saw the child with Mary, his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
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Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
House Blessing/Write with Chalk:
Leader: (using chalk blessed at the Mass, write the inscription in chalk above or beside the main entrance of your home, either on the exterior or interior side): C + M + B + 2025
and say, "May Christ bless our home, and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen."
  • The numbers represent the New Year.
  • C M B abbreviates the Latin prayer "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" which means, "May Christ bless this dwelling!"
  • C M B also are the initials for the traditional names of the Magi: Caspar, Melchior, & Balthasar.
  • The "+" signs represent the cross, and 2025 is the year of the blessing.

Concluding Prayer: 
Leader says: Asking for God's blessing we pray:
All:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen. 

All:
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 live here and all who visit. May we be blessed with health, kindness of heart, gentleness, and the keeping of your law. Fill us with the light of Christ that our love for each other may go out to all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Optional Additional Prayers
May all who come to our home this year rejoice to find Christ living among us; and may we seek and serve, in everyone we meet that same Jesus who is your incarnate Word, now and forever. Amen.
Loving God, bless this household. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentleness, and abiding in your will. We ask this through Christ our Savior. Amen.
God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only-begotten One to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our concern for other may reflect your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Mary

340 STANFORD STREET
BRUSH, CO
Masses: Sat 5:00 pm; Sun 10:00 am
Weekday: Thurs 5:30 pm;
Fri 8:00 am

Confessions: Sat 3:00 pm;
Weekday: 30-minutes before Mass

St. John

41629 GRANITE
STONEHAM, CO
Masses: Sun 12:00 pm noon
Weekday Masses offered at St. Mary


Confessions: Sun 1:00 pm;
or by appointment

St. Joseph

551 W. 6TH STREET
AKRON, CO
Masses: Sat 7:00 pm; Sun 8:00 am
Weekday: Tue 5:30 pm;
Wed 7:30 am

Confessions: Sat 8:00 pm;
Sun 7:00 am
Weekday: 30-minutes before Mass
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