Chalking the Door on the Feast of Epiphany

January 7, 2023 - January 8, 2023

Chalking the Door on the Feast of Epiphany
Chalking the door of our homes is a centuries old custom. It is an easy tradition to adopt and is a wonderful way to begin the New Year.
The chalking of the doors can be done after Mass on the Feast of Epiphany, January 7 and January 8. This blessing can be done simply by using chalk and writing the inscription
(20 + C + M + B + 23) above the door and offering a short prayer, or more elaborately (usccb.org/prayers/blessing-home-and-household-epiphany).
The ‘20’ and ‘23’ in the inscription represent the actual year. The ‘+’ between the numbers and letters symbolize the cross of Christ.
The C M B have two meanings. First, they represent the initials of the Magi – Caspar, Malchior and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat: “May Christ bless the house.”
The inscription is performed as a request for God’s blessing on our homes and as an invitation to Jesus to dwell in our homes, our lives and our hearts.