A TRADITION OF EPIPHANY

                Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany when the magi or wise men or kings visited Jesus, Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

                One of the traditions or customs that has developed around this feast is that of house blessing. This custom grew up in the Middle Ages. Holy water was sprinkled in each room of the house. The father led a procession with a shovel of charcoal on which he burned incense and the oldest son had the bowl of holy water. The rest of the family followed praying the rosary and/or singing hymns. The youngest child carried a plate of chalk which had been blessed after morning Mass. The father took the blessed chalk and wrote over every room that led out outside: 20 + C + M + B + 18 for this year. The numbers represent the year while the letters represent the names of the three kings: Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar. The letters C, M, and B are also thought to stand for Christus Mansionem Benedicat, which means “Christ bless this home.” This tradition symbolizes the family commitment to welcome Christ into their homes on a daily basis throughout the year.

                May the Lord bless your homes and families throughout 2018.