The word epiphany means “manifestation.” In terms of the Church’s celebration, the Epiphany refers to this immense, universal revelation: “The manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Savior of the world” (CCC, 528).
The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates Christ becoming manifest to our world. Through the gifts brought by the three worldly Kings, our world became aware of the destiny of Jesus Christ.
- The gift of gold recognizes Christ is a King.
- The gift of frankincense recognizes that He is a prophet.
- The gift of myrrh recognizes that He will die as a priest offering sacrifice for our salvation.
Through your Baptism, you are called to continue to make Christ manifest in our world. We make Christ known and present in our world through our gathering and the sharing of the Eucharist. You make Christ present and active in the world through your practice of Peace, Justice, and Forgiveness with all those with whom we live and associate with. Christ is made real to our world through you. May the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe make manifest to the South Bay, the presence of Christ in our lives. May Our Blessed Mother, who gave birth to Christ, be honored, through our dedication to the mission of Christ in our world.
Blessing Of The Home
Epiphany is a traditional time for blessing of the home with readings, prayer, and chalking above the entrance to the home with a blessing for the year. As the magi visited the home of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus and brought gifts and blessings, we bless homes in the name of Christ.
Epiphany Home Blessing / Ephfanía
Below is a special traditional Epiphany blessing that every family can do together.
The family gathers to ask God’s blessing on their home and on those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings, and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.
A traditional way of doing this is to use chalk to write above the home’s entrance, 20 + C + M + B + 24. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross and 2023 is the year.
In case you didn’t receive the blessed chalk at church the weekend of January 1st. Here is a chalk blessing you can use at home.
Blessing the Chalk
V. Our help is the name of the Lord:
R. The maker of heaven and earth.
V. The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in:
R. From this time forth forevermore. Let us pray.
Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name that we who use it in faith to write upon the door of our home the names of your holy ones Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit our home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Instructions for Blessing the Home
Using the blessed chalk mark the lintel of your front door (or front porch step) as follows: 20 + C + M + B + 24 while saying:
The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two thousand and fifteen years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.
Then offer the following prayer:
Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen
“Chalking the door” is a way to celebrate and literally mark the occasion of the Epiphany and God’s blessing of our lives and home. With time the chalk will fade. As it does we let the meaning of the symbols written sink into the depths of our heart and be manifest in our words and actions the Latin words, Christus mansionem benedictat, “May Christ bless the house.
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Epifanía Bendición del Hogar
A continuación una muestra de una bendición especial de la Epifanía tradicional que cada familia puede hacer junta.
La familia se reúne para pedir la bendición de Dios sobre su hogar y sobre aquellos que viven o visitan el hogar. Es una invitación para que Jesús sea un invitado diario en nuestro hogar, nuestras idas y venidas, nuestras conversaciones, nuestro trabajo y nuestros juegos, nuestras alegrías y tristezas.
Una forma tradicional de hacer esto es usar tiza para escribir sobre la entrada de la casa, 20 + G + M + B + 24. Las letras G, M, B tienen dos significados. Son las iniciales de los nombres tradicionales de los tres magos: Gaspar, Melchor y Baltazar. También abrevian las palabras latinas Christus mansionem benedicat, “Que Cristo bendiga la casa”. Los signos “+” representan la cruz y 2021 es el año.
Bendiciendo la tiza
V. Nuestro auxilio es el nombre del Señor:
R. Que hizo el cielo y la tierra.
V. El Señor velará por tu salida y tu entrada:
R. Desde ahora y para siempre. Dejanos rezar.
Dios amoroso, bendice esta tiza que has creado, para que pueda ser útil para tu pueblo; y conceda que a través de la invocación de su Santísimo Nombre, nosotros, que la usamos con fe, escribamos en la puerta de nuestro hogar los nombres de sus santos Gaspar, Melchor y Baltazar, puedan recibir salud del cuerpo y protección del alma para todos. que habitan o visitan nuestra casa; a través de Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Amén.
Instrucciones para bendecir el hogar
Usando la tiza bendecida, marque el dintel de la puerta de su casa (o el paso del porche delantero) de la siguiente manera: 20 + G + M + B + 24 mientras dice:
Los tres Reyes Magos, Gaspar, Melchor y Baltazar siguieron a la estrella del Hijo de Dios que Se convirtió en humano hace dos mil quince años. Que Cristo bendiga nuestro hogar y permanezca con nosotros durante todo el año nuevo. Amén.
Luego ofrezca la siguiente oración: Visita, oh bendito Señor, este hogar con la alegría de tu presencia. Bendice a todos los que viven o visitan aquí con el regalo de tu amor; y concédenos que podamos manifestar tu amor unos a otros y a todas las vidas a quienes tocamos. Que crezcamos en la gracia y en el conocimiento y amor de ti. guíanos, consuélanos y fortalécenos en paz, oh Jesucristo, ahora y por siempre. Amén
“Marcando la puerta” es una forma de celebrar y marcar literalmente la ocasión de la Epifanía y la bendición de Dios de nuestras vidas y de nuestro hogar. Con el tiempo la tiza se desvanecerá. Al hacerlo, dejamos que el significado de los símbolos escritos se hunda en lo más profundo de nuestro corazón y se manifieste en nuestras palabras y acciones las palabras en latín, Christus mansionem benedictat, “Que Cristo bendiga la casa”.