Blessing in Homes at Epiphany
Where it is customary to invite the parish priest to the homes of parishioners on the Feast of the Epiphany or during the week following, this blessing may be used.
The Celebrant begins with the following or some other greeting
Peace be to this house, and to all who dwell in it.
The Magnificat is then sung or said with one of the following antiphons:
The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him.
Or this
I saw water proceeding out of the temple: from the right side it flowed, alleluia; and all those to whom that water came shall be saved, and shall say alleluia, alleluia.
The antiphon is then repeated.
Celebrant: The Lord be with you
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
The Celebrant says one of the following Collects:
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
or this
Father in heaven , who at your baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
The Celebrant then says this prayer
Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live here with the gifts of your love; and grant that they may manifest your love [to each other and] to all whose lives they touch. May they grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen them; and preserve them in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.
Other suitable prayers may be added.
The Celebrant may say one of the two following blessings:
May God the Father, who by Baptism adopts us as his children, grant you grace. Amen.
May God the Son, who sanctified a home at Nazareth, fill you with love. Amen.
May God the Holy Spirit, who has made the Church one family, keep you in peace. Amen.
or this
May Almighty God, who led the Wise Men by the shining of a star to find the Christ, the Light from Light, lead you also in your pilgrimage, to find the Lord. Amen.
May God, who sent the Holy Spirit to rest upon the Only-begotten at his baptism in the Jordan River, pour out that Spirit on you who have come to the waters of new birth. Amen.
May God, by the power that turned water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana, transform your lives and make glad your hearts. Amen.
And the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.
The peace may then be exchanged.