benedictio domorum

in Festo Epiphaniae
The priest can be accompanied by an acolyte for assistance with the thurible. A cross (or picture of Our Lord) ought to
be set upon a table in the principal room of the house. Beside the cross or image are set two unlit candles. The family
will meet the priest at the door of the home.

In ingressu
As the priest comes into the home he says:
 . Pax huic domui.
V  . Peace be in this home.
V
R. Et omnibus habitantibus in ea. R. And to all who live herein.

Canticum
The priest then enters into the home and intones the following antiphon:
VIII G
                            Magi from the East came

A   
to Bethlehem to adore
the Lord; and opening
B O-ri- énte  ve-né-runt Ma- gi in Béthle-hem a-do-rá-re Dómi-num: their treasure chests they

                               
presented Him with pre-
cious gifts: gold for the
      great King, incense for
the true God, and myrrh

     
 
et a-pér-tis the-sáu-ris su- is, pre- ti- ó-sa mú-ne-ra
                 
 
obtu- lé- runt: aurum, si-cut
in symbol of His burial.

       Alleluia.

 
Re- gi magno: thus, si-cut De- o ve- ro: myrrham, se-pul-tú-ræ e- jus, al-le-lú- ia.
The priest imposes incense in the thurible, and then taking up the aspergillium intones the canticle of Our Lady. Whilst
the canticle is sung he proceeds to sprinkle the walls of the principal rooms of the house with Holy Water.

VIII G                           My soul  doth magnify

M
the Lord. 2. And my
spirit hath rejoiced * in

                
agní- fi- cat  á- nima me- a Dómi- num. 2. Et ex- sul- tá- vit spí- ri- tus God my Saviour.

me- us  in De- o sa-lu-tá- ri me- o.

3. Quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllæ suæ: * ecce enim 3. Because he hath regarded the humility of his
handmaid; * for behold from henceforth all
ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes. generations shall call me blessed.

4. Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est: * et sanctum 4. Because he that is mighty, hath done great
nomen ejus. things to me; * and holy is his name.

5. And his mercy is from generation unto gen-

5. Et misericórdia ejus a progénie in progénies * timén- erations, * to them that fear him.
tibus eum.
6. He hath shewed might in his arm: * he hath
6. Fecit poténtiam in bráchio suo: * dispérsit supérbos scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
mente cordis sui.
7. He hath put down the mighty from their seat,
* and hath exalted the humble.
7. Depósuit poténtes de sede, * et exaltávit húmiles.
8. He hath filled the hungry with good things; *
8. Esuriéntes implévit bonis: * et dívites dimísit inánes. and the rich he hath sent empty away.

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 9. Suscépit Israël púerum suum, * recordátus misericór- 9. He hath received Israel his servant, * being
diæ suæ. mindful of his mercy:

10. As he spoke to our fathers, * to Abraham and

10. Sicut locútus est ad patres nostros, * Abraham et sé- to his seed for ever.
mini ejus in sǽcula.
11. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and
11. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. to the Holy Ghost.

12. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽ- 12. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever
shall be, world without end. Amen.
cula sæculórum. Amen.

The Priest then goes to the principal room of the house and whilst the antiphon is repeat he lights the two candles that
were placed beside the Cross or image of Our Lord. All kneel after the antiphon is sung.
VIII G
                            Magi from the East came

 
A
to Bethlehem to adore
the Lord; and opening
B O-ri- énte  ve-né-runt Ma- gi in Béthle-hem a-do-rá-re Dómi-num: their treasure chests they

                               
presented Him with pre-
cious gifts: gold for the
      great King, incense for
the true God, and myrrh


             
et a-pér-tis the-sáu-ris su- is, pre- ti- ó-sa mú-ne-ra obtu- lé- runt: aurum, si-cut
in symbol of His burial.

                    Alleluia.


Re- gi magno: thus, si-cut De- o ve- ro: myrrham, se-pul-tú-ræ e- jus, al-le-lú- ia.
The priest will then take the thurible and incense the cross or image of Our Lord.
Pater Noster secreto usque ad Our Father silently until
 . Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem.
V  . And lead us not into temptation.
V
R. Sed líbera nos a malo. R. But deliver us from evil.
 . Omnes de Saba vénient.
V  . Many shall come from Saba
V
R. Aurum et thus deferéntes. R. Bearing gold and incense.
 . Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam.
V  . O Lord, heed my prayer.
V
R. Et clamor meus ad te véniat. R. And let my cry be heard by you.
 . Dóminus vobíscum.
V  . The Lord be with you.
V
R. Et cum spíritu tuo. R. And with thy spirit.
Oremus. Let us pray.
Deus, qui hodiérna die Unigénitum tuum Géntibus stella God, who on this day revealed your only-begotten Son to
duce revelásti: concéde propítius; ut, qui jam te ex fide co- all nations by the guidance of a star, grant that we who now
gnóvimus, usque ad contemplándam spéciam tuæ celsitú- know you by faith may finally behold you in your heavenly
dinis perducámur. Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum majesty; through the same Christ our Lord, Thy Son, who
Christum, Fílium tuum: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in uni- lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
táte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. R. world without end. R. Amen.
Amen.
The priest then presents the cross or image for those present to kiss as they kneel. If the chalk has not yet been blessed,
the priest will do this now. If there is gold, incense or myrrh to be blessed it can also be done here. Afterwards, the
following is sung or recited:
Responsorium: Illumináre, illumináre, Jerúsalem, qui venit Responsory: Be enlightened and shine forth, O Jerusalem,
lux tua: et glória Dómini super te orta est, Jesus Christus for your light is come; and upon you is risen the glory of
ex María Vírgine. the Lord Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.
 . Et ambulábunt Gentes in lúmine tuo: et reges in splen-
V  . Nations shall walk in your light, and kings in the splen-
V
dóre ortus tui. dor of your birth.
R. Et glória Dómini super te orta est. R. And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you

The Priest and the faithful then go to the entrance of the home.

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At the door the priest says the following prayer:
Oremus. Let us pray.
Béne  dic, Dómine, Deus omnípotens, domum istam: ut Lord God almighty, bless  this home, and under its shelter
sit in ea sánitas, cástitas, victóriæ, virtus, humílitas, bóni- let there be health, chastity, self-conquest, humility, good-
tas, et mansuetúdo, plenitúdo legis, et gratiárum áctio Deo ness, mildness, obedience to your commandments, and thanks-
Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto; et hæc benedíctio máneat giving to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. May your
super hanc domum, et super habitántes in ea. Per Christum blessing remain always in this home and on those who live
Dóminum nostrum. R. Amen. here; through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

The Priest then takes the blessed chalk and marks the door of the household with the following characters:

20  C  M  B  18
These letters consist of the century, the first letter of the names of the Three Wise Men: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar,
and the year. The letters CMB also are an acronym for the words: Christus Mansionem Benedicat. May Christ bless
this home.

Benedictiones

benedictio cretae
in Festo Epiphaniae
 . Adjutórium nostrum in nómine Dómini.
V  . Our help is in the name of the Lord.
V
R. Qui fecit cælum et terram. R. Who made heaven and earth.
 . Dóminus vobíscum.
V  . The Lord be with you.
V
R. Et cum spíritu tuo. R. And with thy spirit.
Bénedic, Dómine Deus, creatúram istam cretæ: ut sit sa- Bless,  O Lord God, this creature, chalk, and let it be a help
lutáris humáno géneri; et præsta per invocatiónem nómi- to mankind. Grant that those who will use it with faith in
nis tui sanctíssimi, ut, quicúmque ex ea súmpserint, vel your most holy name, and with it inscribe on the doors
ea in domus suæ portis scrípserint nómina sanctórum tuó- of their homes the names of your saints, Casper, Melchior,
rum Gásparis, Melchióris et Baltássar, per eórum interces- and Baltassar, may through their merits and intercession
siónem et merita, córporis sanitátem, et ánimæ tutélam enjoy health in body and protection of soul; through Christ
percípiant. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. R. Amen. our Lord. R. Amen.
It is then sprinkled with holy water.

benedictio auri, thuris et myrrhæ

in Festo Epiphaniae
 . Adjutórium nostrum in nómine Dómini.
V  . Our help is in the name of the Lord.
V
R. Qui fecit cælum et terram. R. Who made heaven and earth.
 . Dóminus vobíscum.
V  . The Lord be with you.
V
R. Et cum spíritu tuo. R. And with thy spirit.
Orémus. Let us pray.
Súscipe, sancte Pater, a me indígno fámulo tuo hæc múne- Accept, holy Father, from me, your unworthy servant, these
ra, quæ in honórem nóminis tui sancti, et in títulum omni- gifts which I humbly offer to the honor of your holy name
poténtiæ tuæ majestátis, humíliter tibi óffero: sicut susce- and in recognition of your peerless majesty, as you once
písti sacrifícium Abel justi, et sicut éadem múnera a tribus accepted the sacrifice of the just Abel and the same kind of
Magis tibi quondam offeréntibus suscepísti. gifts from the three Magi.
Exorcízo te, creatúra auri, thuris et myrrhæ, per Patrem God’s creatures, gold, incense, and myrrh, I cast out the
omnipoténtem, per Jesum  Christum, Fílium ejus unigé- demon from you by the Father  almighty, by Jesus 
nitum, et per Spíritum  Sanctum Paráclitum: ut a te discé- Christ, His only-begotten Son, and by the Holy  Spirit,
dat omnis fraus, dolus, et nequítia diáboli, et sis remédium the Advocate, so that you may be freed from all deceit, evil,
salutáre humáno géneri contra insídias inimíci: et quicúm- and cunning of the devil, and become a saving remedy to
que divíno freti auxílio te in suis lóculis, dómibus, aut cir- mankind against the snares of the enemy. May those who

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ca se habúerint, per virtútem et mérita Dómini et Salva-
tóris nostri, ac intercessiónem ejus sanctíssimæ Genetrícis
et Vírginis Maríæ, ac eórum, qui hódie simílibus munéri-
bus Christum Dóminum veneráti sunt, omniúmque Sanc-
tórum, ab ómnibus perículis ánimæ et córporis liberéntur,
et bonis ómnibus pérfrui mereántur. R. Amen.
Deus invisíbilis et interminábilis, pietátem tuam per sanc-
tum et treméndum Fílii tui nomen, supplíciter deprecámur:
ut in hanc creatúram auri, thuris, et myrrhæ benedic-
tiónem ac operatiónem tuæ virtútis infúndas: ut, qui ea
penes se habúerint, ab ómni ægritúdinis et læsiónis incúr-
su tuti sint; et omnes morbos córporis et ánimæ effúgiant,
nullum dominétur eis perículum, et læti, ac incólumes tibi
in Ecclésia tua desérviant: Qui in Trinitáte perfécta vivis
et regnas Deus per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. R. Amen.
Et benedíctio Dei omnípotentis, Patris, et Fílii , et Spíri-
tus  Sancti, descéndat super hanc creatúram auri, thuris,
et myrrhæ, et máneat semper. R. Amen.
They are then sprinkled with holy water.
use you, with confidence in the divine power, in their lodg-
ings, homes, or on their persons, be delivered from all per-
ils to body and soul, and enjoy all good things. We ask
this through the power and merits of our Lord and Sav-
ior, the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of
God, and of all the saints, in particular the godly men who
on this day venerated Christ the Lord with the very same
gifts. R. Amen.
God, the invisible and endless One, in the holy and awe-
some name of your Son, be pleased to endow with your
blessing  and power these creatures of gold, incense, and
myrrh. Protect those who will have them in their posses-
sion from every kind of illness, injury, and danger, any-
thing that would interfere with the well- being of body and
soul, and so be enabled to serve you joyously and confi-
dently in your Church; you who live and reign in perfect
Trinity, God, forever and ever. R. Amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God,  Father,  Son,
and Holy  Spirit, come upon these creatures of gold, in-
cense, and myrrh, and remain always. R. Amen.