5 January – Today, after Holy Mass on the Vigil of the Epiphany of the Lord, the Epiphany Water is solemnly blessed in our church.
Epiphany Water is holy water that is blessed with a more solemn and extended rite than ordinary holy water. This blessing is intended in a special way for domestic use and for house blessings, though afterwards it may also be used freely as ordinary holy water.
In popular devotion there has long been a strong conviction that evil spirits particularly fear this holy water, because of the many exorcisms pronounced over the salt and the water during its solemn blessing. For this reason, the faithful take Epiphany Water home with them, in order to bless all the rooms of the house on the feast of the Epiphany itself, or in the days surrounding it. Whenever possible, this blessing is carried out by a priest; when this is not possible, it may be done by the head of the household.
The family gathers in the home, prays together a short prayer, and then sprinkles the dwelling with the blessed water, giving particular attention to the front door. In this way, they profess that the entire house is deliberately placed under God’s protection and blessing.
Afterwards, the house blessing is written or placed above or beside the doorframe, for example:
20 ✠ C ✠ M ✠ B ✠ 26
The letters C ✠ M ✠ B refer on the one hand to the names of the Magi — Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar — and on the other hand to the ancient Latin blessing:
Christus Mansionem Benedicat
May Christ bless this dwelling.
House Blessing on Epiphany
One begins standing at the front door.
Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Scripture Reading (optional, but very customary). Often Matthew 2:1–12 (the Magi from the East) is read, or only the opening verses.
Our Father.
Sometimes followed by the Hail Mary and the Glory be to the Father.
After this, the house is sprinkled with Epiphany Water, beginning at the front door and then, if desired, the other rooms.
While sprinkling the dwelling, one says:
May this house be blessed and kept under God’s protection.
Concluding Prayer.
Lord, bless this house and all who dwell in it.
Keep us in peace and in faith.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Afterwards: the Sign of the Cross or the Glory be to the Father.