The Christian Wheel of the Year: The Eve of Epiphany

The Eve of Epiphany 

Tomorrow is Epiphany, which means the Twelve Days of Christmas have come to their end! 

Tomorrow is the traditional day to bless the home. To do this, in addition to our usual tools, we will use consecrated chalk. Now, if you like, you can bless your chalk tomorrow before you use it, but as it is traditional to bless the chalk on the Eve of the Epiphany, I wanted to provide the blessing ritual today. 

The Blessing of Chalk

If you've been following along up to this point, you already know what you need to do. A simple, but complete, system for blessing sacred objects has been provided in these posts, starting from the beginning of Advent. To bless Epiphany Chalk, you'll need your usual implements-- at minimum, a quiet place and a table or ledge on which you can place a crucifix, a candle, whatever holy images you find suitable, as well as holy water and incense. And, of course, chalk! 

Follow the same procedure given previously to bless incense and wine, but when it comes time to bless the chalk itself, use the following formula. Remember that the "V" and "R" are applicable if you have an assistant; if not, read everything yourself. When you encounter a +, make the sign of the cross over the chalk, which you should visualize in the form of white fire. 

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord. R. Who made heaven and earth.
V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit.

Bless, + O Lord God, this creature chalk, to render it helpful to men. Grant that they who use it with faith in Thy most holy Name, and with it inscribe upon the entrance of their homes the names of Thy Saints, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, may through their merits and intercession enjoy health of body and protection of soul. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

Sprinkle the chalk three times with holy water and cense it three times with incense.
 

Tomorrow we'll discuss the feast of Epiphany, and the visitation of the Three Magi. See you then!