Msgr. Beaulieu – Epiphany Customs

Epiphany Customs

The celebration of Epiphany emerged around AD 361 initially as a commemoration of the birth of Christ and, later on, in order to recall the three miracles that manifested the divinity of Christ: the Lord’s Baptism, the visit of the Magi, and the miraculous transformation of water into wine at Cana.

It is a long-held Catholic tradition to bless your home on (or near) the celebration of the Epiphany by using chalk to write a special inscription above the home’s entrance. The inscription written over the door changes every year. For this year, you should write: 20 + C + M + B + 25. Those three capital letters are the initials of the traditional names of the three Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They are also the first letters of the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat or, in English, May Christ bless the house. The intervening plus signs (+) represent the Cross, and separated numbers 2025 refer to the current year.

The blessing has biblical roots, deeply tied to the Passover in the book of Exodus, “The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt…take some of its blood (of the lamb) and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They will consume its meat that same night, eating it roasted with unleavened bread and bitter herbs…for you the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thereby, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you” (Ex 12:1, 7-8,13 ).

Instructions for Blessing the Home

• Read: Matthew 2:1-16
• Gather either at the front door of your home or at the front porch step or wall within your house.
• Using the [blessed] chalk, mark the lintel of your front door (or step or wall) as follows: 20 + C + M + B + 25
• Instruction to be read by the Leader: The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became man two thousand and twenty-five years ago. May Christ bless this home and remain with its inhabitants throughout the New Year. Amen.
• All recite the following prayer: Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.