Let us joyfully approach the New Year, and one beautiful way to do so is to ask for God’s grace also upon our dwelling. The blessing of a home is a beautiful and ancient Christian tradition through which God’s protection, peace, and blessing are asked for the whole family. In the Catholic Church, blessings play an important role in our life of faith. We bless food, icons, crosses, and medals, as well as everyday things. All of this expresses the desire that our entire life be under God’s goodness and protection. So too our home.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the apostles: “When you enter a house, say: Peace be to this house!” (cf. Lk 10:5).
The blessing of a home is precisely the putting into practice of this word of Jesus – the priest comes to the home and brings a wish of peace, which is at the heart of the Christian blessing. Christians have been blessing homes since the time of the apostles.
In the Catholic Church, the custom developed of blessing homes at the beginning of the year or around the feast of the Epiphany, asking for the light and peace of Christ in the home. On the Epiphany, there is a beautiful custom among Catholics of writing the letters C + M + B and the year on the door with blessed chalk. These letters come from Latin: Christus mansionem benedicat – May Christ bless this home. It is a simple and beautiful way to ask that Christ’s blessing be in our home and family throughout the year.
The blessing of a home is simple. One needs to ask a priest, find a suitable time when the home can be blessed, and the priest will come to you. The home is blessed with holy water, accompanied by various prayers, and wishes for a happy New Year are offered.
Nothing specific needs to be prepared for the blessing of a home. A cross and a candle are needed. The priest brings the holy water himself.
After the prayer, the priest and the family have the opportunity to talk calmly, share joys and concerns, and simply be together. It is a beautiful and gentle sign of God’s love.
Blessing of a home costs nothing. You may make a donation to the parish if you wish.
We encourage you to invite a priest to bless your home; receive this as a sign of God’s love and peace for your home.