The traditional date for the Feast of Epiphany is January 6. This year, the Mass obligation was moved to January 2 in most dioceses in the United States. At the Fenelon Clan Abode, we’re celebrating a “Second Epiphany” (think hobbits) on January 6 complete with a special meal, Epiphany House Blessing, extra Rosary, treats, and Christmas carols.

I hope that you will do the same in the best way that you are able. Most importantly, I urge you to conduct an Epiphany House Blessing according to our Catholic tradition. What is that? It’s a specific blessing for the home traditionally done each year on the Solemnity of the Epiphany (also known as 3 Kings Day or Twelfth Night).In the Epiphany House Blessing, blessed chalk is used to draw symbols on the “lintel” of the door, which was historically the horizontal piece above the door. This is called the chalking the door, and is practiced by many Christians including Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, and more!  It has its roots in biblical history, going back to the story of Moses in the Bible when the Israelites were asked to put the blood of a lamb or goat on the doorposts and above the doors of the houses. 

“The blood on the doorposts will be a sign to mark the houses in which you live. When I see the blood, I will pass over you and will not harm you when I punish the Egyptians.” Exodus 12:13

For your convenience, I’ve printed the blessing below compliments of the USCCB website. You’ll also find a printable version there.

The symbols change each year, but here is the short answer for 2022:

For 2022 this is what you will write on your door in chalk:

20 + C + M + B + 22

The Epiphany door blessing includes symbols for all 3 kings, plus the numbers from the current year. 

Here’s what the chalked numbers on the door mean: The first number “20″ is for the first 2 numbers of the year, and the last number “22” is for the last 2 numbers of the year.

Here’s what the chalked letters on the door mean:

The 3 letters are the first Initial of each of the kings (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar). 

The “C, M, B also stands for the Latin blessing Christius Mansionem Benedicat which means “May Christ Bless this House”.

Who can conduct the blessing?
Ideally, it is your parish priest. However, that’s an unlikely possibility given the typical priest-parishioner ratio and the over-filled schedules of our beloved clergy. The second choice is the father of the family. However, that may not be possible in your family and so whoever is seen as the spiritual leader of the home may conduct the blessing. 

It’s that easy!