For a new house, or a fresh start in an old one

Room by room, with holy water.

A Catholic home is meant to be blessed. A priest or deacon may bless a house formally, and traditionally does so at Epiphany; but a father or mother of a household may also bless their own home, and the Church encourages it. What follows can be prayed by anyone.

The Blessing

Gather the household. If you have holy water, sprinkle each room as you pass through it.

Lord God almighty, bless this house.
In it may there be health of body, purity of heart,
and the fullness of Your grace.

Bless all who live here,
and all who will come through this door:
friends, strangers and those in need.

Drive far from this place
every snare of the enemy,
every quarrel that hardens,
and every fear that keeps us awake.

Send Your holy angels to dwell here and to keep us in peace,
and let Your blessing be upon us always.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Room by Room

• At the door: May all who come through this door find welcome.
• In the kitchen: May we never eat alone, and never eat without gratitude.
• At the table: May there be honesty here, and laughter.
• In each bedroom: May those who sleep here rest without fear and wake in Your grace.
• In the living room: May what we watch and say here be worthy of Your presence.

Epiphany House Blessing

On the feast of the Epiphany, many Catholic families chalk the lintel of the front door: 20 + C + M + B + 26. The letters stand for Christus mansionem benedicat — may Christ bless this house — and, by tradition, for Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.

About This Blessing

Where a priest is available, ask him — the formal blessing from the Book of Blessings carries the Church’s own prayer. But a home blessed by the people who live in it is a good beginning, and a household that prays together in every room has already blessed it once.