What does it mean to chalk your door?

The practice is called “chalking the doors” because priests traditionally would bless the house and then use chalk to write above the main entrance the specific year, separated by the letters C, M and B (e.g., 20+C+M+B+20, for the 2020 blessing).

What does chalking of the house mean?

Catholics marking their homes with chalk for the Epiphany is a tradition that dates back centuries, signifying their homes are homes where Christ lives. Usually, families gather around the front door of the home, saying a prayer before a family member makes a mark on the doorpost or front of the home.

When should you chalk a door?

Chalking the door is done most commonly on Epiphany Day itself. However, it can be done on any day of the Epiphany season. In some localities, the chalk used to write the Epiphanytide pattern is blessed by a Christian priest or minister on Epiphany Day, then taken home to write the pattern.

How do you chalk an Epiphany door 2022?

Epiphany (also known as Twelfth Night, Theophany, or Three Kings Day) marks the occasion of a time-honored Christian tradition of “chalking the doors.” The formula for the ritual — adapted for 2022 — is simple: take chalk of any color and write the following above the entrance of your home: 20 + C+M + B + 22.

What is the door prayer?

O God, make the door of this house wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship, narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and strife.

Chalking the Door: 20+C+M+B+YEAR Meaning

Where does chalking the door come from?

The practice is called “chalking the doors” because priests traditionally would bless the house and then use chalk to write above the main entrance the specific year, separated by the letters C, M and B (e.g., 20+C+M+B+20, for the 2020 blessing).

How do I bless my house?

Why do we bless chalk?

It has been a tradition in the Catholic Church to bless chalk at the Masses for Epiphany, and then use the blessed chalk as part of blessing one's home in the New Year.

Can you bless your own chalk for Epiphany?

Below are the instructions on how you, too, can bless your home for the Solemnity of the Epiphany. You can use your own chalk and holy water. If you would like to get a printed copy of these instructions & chalk, you may come by our parish office during regular business hours.

What is the Epiphany blessing?

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 Your 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.

How do Catholics bless a house with holy water?

You can sprinkle holy water in your home yourself, or have a priest formally bless your home using holy water as part of the house blessing ceremony. Some parents also use holy water to bless things their children regularly use, such as bicycles and school books. Holy water fonts are a great way to sanctify your home!

What does a cross on the front door mean?

At times of plague, it was common to mark the doors of victims of the disease with a large painted cross, either in red or black paint. In later times, large printed crosses were often affixed to doors.

How do you Epiphany a house blessing?

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.

What does a cross above a door mean?

However, the vast majority of Catholic homes will post a crucifix above the doorway, indicating the importance of Christ for the family. This means that the residence belongs to Christ first and that his sacrifice has been accepted by all who live within the home.

What is the Epiphany after Christmas?

What is Epiphany? Epiphany - also known as Three Kings' Day - is a Christian festival, which starts on 6 January. It is a special date in the Christmas story as it's when people celebrate how a star led the Magi - also known as the Three kings or the Wise Men - to visit the baby Jesus after he had been born.

Why do Catholics bless a house?

House blessings (also known as house healings, house clearings, house cleansings and space clearing) are rites intended to protect the inhabitants of a house or apartment from misfortune, whether before moving into it or to "heal" it after an occurrence.

What does the Epiphany mark?

What is the meaning of Epiphany? Epiphany, also called Theophany, is a celebration of God manifesting as the baby Jesus and revealing Himself to the world. The holiday also marks the day the Magi, or the three kings, visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Jesus' baptism is also celebrated during Epiphany.

Why is it called Epiphany Sunday?

The name Epiphany comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning “appearance” or “manifestation,” and refers to the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. The holiday is also called the Feast of Epiphany, Theophany, or Three Kings' Day.

How do I pray to protect my house?

Dear God, I pray over this home and everyone in it. Lord, I pray that you will keep this home safe both spiritually and physically. I pray for the safety of the physical house against damage, and the members of this house against injury and sickness.

What prayer do I say to bless my house?

As you mark the sign of the cross, utter a simple prayer asking God to bless the room. For example "In the name of Jesus Christ I ask for Your peace and joy to inhabit this room," or "May Your Holy Spirit flow through and fill this home up with Your Spirit."

What is a war room in a house?

Within this room, you have the ability to shield yourself from the distractions within your home and fight the good fight through prayer. The War Room could be a quiet corner in your home, a closet, or any other designated place to be alone, pray to God and cry out without the diversions around us. War Room.

How long is the Epiphany season?

Note that, because the date of Easter changes each year, Epiphanytide or “The Season after Epiphany” can last anywhere from 40 to 63 days. So, some years, the last few Sundays of Epiphany don't take place.

What does Epiphany mean in English?

3a(1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something. (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (such as an event) usually simple and striking. (3) : an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure.

Why do doors have 6 panels?

According to this myth, the bottom two panels of a six-panel wooden door were designed to represent an open Bible, and the middle stile and rail were meant to form a cross. This story is trotted out to show how pious our ancestors were. Or how laughably superstitious they were to think this would ward off witches.

Why do people hang crosses on walls?

Some merely hang the crucifix on the walls of their home as a reminder of Christ's redemptive sacrifice, but beyond this it is also a sacramental, used in devotion to Our Lord and as a guard against evil.