Epiphany Blessing of our Home & Doors - “LORD, MAY THE NATIONS ADORE YOU FOR YOUR MERCY!”

 Homily at St. Gabriel 2018 MP3 file     Home Blessing PDF file    Church Blessing PDF file 

Epiphany Blessing of our Home & Doors

“LORD, MAY THE NATIONS ADORE YOU FOR YOUR MERCY!”

This is our Epiphany Family Prayer Ritual to obtain God's blessing on our Home.  Before a family meal we gather at the front door, listen to an elder, and pray together. 

Gathering at the Front Door – Prepare the roles and the texts.

Moment of silence

ELDER:     (As soon as all are ready – Elder ask for everyone’s attention.)

            At Epiphany we celebrate the manifestation of Christ to the nations of the world.  We are called to show Christ to others!  Whether they realize it or not, people’s greatest and most crucial need is to know Jesus, and in Him, the Father’s love and mercy.  Our Christian apostolate is to gratefully receive our life from God our Father each day and be real, loving persons in the image and likeness of Jesus.  Conscious of our own human condition in need of being saved by Jesus, like Him we humbly accept each person, host the pain, joy, hopes and fears of others, and make ourselves available to their needs.  In this way, we live in great hope a life of faith – knowing we are doing our Father’s will – as Jesus did and continues to do in us! 

            ALL: “O Holy Spirit, by your flaming divine love burn away in us all that is not true love.  Let us live fully in the freedom of a heart guided by You alone.  Make us into living images of Jesus, and grant us the grace to accept the painful purification we must undergo in order to become like Him!  Amen!” 

ALL:  Sing a favorite Christmas Hymn. – The Sign of the Cross 

Penitential Rite

ELDER:     Lord Jesus, You came to reconcile us to one another and to the Father: Lord have mercy.  Lord have mercy.

Lord Jesus, You heal the wounds of sin and division: Christ have mercy.  Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, You intercede for us with your Father:    Lord have mercy.  Lord have mercy.

ELDER:     May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.

ELDER:     Father in heaven, look upon our (this) family in your love, and give us (them) the blessing of your peace.  Let your Spirit fill our hearts with joy, that we (they) may be holy and happy.  May our (their) concern for others reflect your love, and bring us (them) happiness throughout this year, through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord, with your Holy Spirit, one God forever.  Amen.

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ALL: “Come Holy Spirit, give your divine power to our words: God of Bethlehem and Cana, God of Jordan's leaping waters, in Baptism You make us your children and wed us to your only begotten Son. In your love may we fill this place with kindness to one another, with hospitality to guests, and with abundant care for every stranger. By the gentle light of a star, guide home all who seek You on paths of faith, hope, and love.  Then we will join angels in proclaiming your praise:  "Glory to God in heaven and peace to his people on earth," and with the Magi distribute your gifts generously around us for the good of others and for your glory. Father, grant us and our home and all who enter here this merciful blessing of your abundant love in Jesus’ Name. Amen!”

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After the prayer, with a piece of chalk we write above the front and back doors 20+C+M+B+_ _  (The crosses stand for the four seasons, the numbers are the year, and the letters for the name of the 3 Magi: Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar, and by tradition, and they also mean "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" or "Christ bless this house / dwelling.")  We process all around the house, each family member participating, sprinkling the four corners with holy water, going into each room, and coming back to the point of departure.  Everyone joins in the procession, singing a hymn or reciting prayers.  All gather around the dining room or kitchen table and ask the Lord’s blessing upon their meal, and then sit down or help serve, in a spirit of joy and gratitude.

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© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC        © 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC

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