January, Month of the Holy Name of Jesus
Prayers Society Intention
“Oh Jesus, do Thou save me for Thy holy name’s sake.” (Raccolta)
+Feast of the Epiphany+
For many years, every time I move the three kings to the front of the manger on the feast of the Epiphany, I remember the beautiful carol I sang in concert choir as a teenager. I have rarely heard it sung during the Christmas season, but it is a worthy tribute to the Christ Child. The lyrics to this song, Three Kings, read as follows:
“Who knocks tonight so late?” the weary porter said.
Three kings stood at the gate, each with a crown on head.
The serving man bowed down, the Inn was full, he knew.
Said he, “In all this town is no fit place for you.”
A light in the manger lit; there lay the Mother meek.
This place is fit. Here is the rest we seek.
Come, come. They loosed their latchet strings, so stood they all unshod
“Come in, come in, ye kings, and kiss the feet of God.”
See the chorale performance of this lovely carol HERE.
Blessing for Catholic homes
There is also a ceremony originating from medieval times known as the chalking of the doors on Epiphany Day. To me this is an important annual practice, since it is the blessing of the home for the New Year, and recalls the marking of the doors at the time of Passover in the Old Testament. Ordinarily, we would have our parish priest bless our homes, but as pray-at-home Catholics this is not possible for us. The father of the family traditionally said the following prayers and gave the blessing even in previous times, once parishes became so large it was impractical for the pastor to visit every home.
It is our hope you will choose to protect your loved ones and invite the Christ Child into your home this year by saying the prayers below.
Epiphany Blessing
This ceremony of the blessing of the home and inscription of the initials of the three Magi above each door can be performed by the father of the family.
Prayer: On entering the home,
Leader: Peace be to this house.
All: And to all who dwell herein.
All: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.
All Pray: The Magnificat (Luke 1: 46-55)
My soul doth magnify the Lord.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his name.
And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.
He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy:
As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
All: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.
Leader: Our Father. . .And lead us not into temptation
All: But deliver us from evil.
Leader: All they from Saba shall come
All: Bringing gold and frankincense.
Leader: O Lord, hear my prayer.
All: And let my cry come to You.
Leader: Let us pray. O God, who by the guidance of a star didst on this day manifest Thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we who know Thee by faith may also attain the vision of Thy glorious majesty. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Leader: Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee—Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.
All: And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light and kings in the splendor of thy rising, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee.
Leader: Let us pray.
Bless, + O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Thy law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
After the prayers of the blessing are recited, each room of the home may be incensed. The initials of the Magi are inscribed upon the doors with the blessed chalk. For this year write: 20 + C + M + B + 26. The initials, C, M, B (Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar) can also be interpreted as the Latin phrase “Christus mansionem benedicat” which means “Christ bless this house.” Regular chalk will do for writing the initials. Ask some sainted bishop to whom you are devoted to bless the chalk for you. We prefer St. Anthony Mary Claret.
