Prayer on entering the home, by the father of the house.
Leader: Peace be to this house and all who dwell in it.
From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered him precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of his burial.
All pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Leader: Let us pray.
O God who by the guidance of a star manifested your Only Begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we who know you by faith may also attain the vision of your glorious majesty.
Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen
Leader: Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you, Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary. And the Gentiles shall walk in your light and kings in the splendour of your rising, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Leader: Let us pray.
Bless + O Lord God almighty, this house, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfilment 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 house and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen
(After the prayers of blessing are recited, each room is sprinkled with holy water. The initials of the Magi are inscribed upon the entrance door frame in chalk. The initials C.M.B. can also be translated as the Latin phrase “Chritus masionem benedicat”, which means, “Christ bless this house.”)
Example: 20 + C + M + B + 21