What is Chalking the Door?    

It is a way to celebrate and mark the occasion of the Epiphany and God’s blessing of our lives and home. The letters we mark have two meanings. They represent the initials of the Magi, Caspar, Malchior, and Balthazar, who came to visit Jesus in His first home – the manger in Bethlehem. They also represent the first letters of the words in the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat, which means “May Christ bless the house.”

The + signs represent the cross, and the 20 at the beginning and 20 at the end are for the year. The inscription is made as a request for Christ to bless the home and to stay with those who dwell in it throughout the entire year.

Blessed Chalk (blessed during the Epiphany Vigil at SJA and available at masses Jan. 4 and 5), and the following Epiphany prayers.

How do you mark your door?

Using blessed chalk, the most senior family member writes on or above the entrance of your home:

20 + C + M + B + 20

While saying:

The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two thousand and twenty years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen

Then together the family offers the following prayer: 

Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen