Chalk up A Blessing

by Fr. Jeff Allan

Just a few years ago, I remember being at the seminary and a priest walking down the hallway and stopping by each room. What for?  The reason was and still is to protect against any spiritual warfare that is not of God. But it was also to give each seminarian a specific blessing with the use of chalk over the entrance of his door on the wooden beam. This blessing refers to the great feast or Solemnity of the Epiphany.

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany or manifestation. What is it? The Catechism states that the Epiphany is “the feast which celebrates the manifestation to the world of the newborn Christ as Messiah, Son of God, and Savior of the world. The feast of Epiphany celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (Magi) from the East, together with his baptism in the Jordan and the Wedding Feast of Cana in Galilee (Catechism 528, 535).

It is a tradition for parish priests to bless chalk for each family so that they may mark the names of the three Magi over their doors in the blessing of homes as a witness of their faith and protection against evil. The feast of manifestation, or Epiphany, is traditionally celebrated the 12th day after Christmas, January 6th. In the diocese of the United States this feast has been moved to the Sunday between January 2nd – 8th. Source: http://www.catholicculture.org

Today, it falls on January 3rd. The baptism of Jesus in the Jordan by John the Baptist, another epiphany or manifestation, is celebrated next Sunday on January 10th.

It was common in the Middle Ages to bless holy water, incense (one of the three gifts given by the Magi along with gold and myrrh) and chalk as reminders of the Magi’s visit to the infant Jesus. Who were the Magi? While they are known in our hymns as kings, they are more considered to be wise men, members of a priestly caste of ancient Persia. The Catechism states that “in the Magi, representatives of the neighboring pagan religions, the Gospel sees the first-fruits of the nations, who welcome the Good News of salvation through the Incarnation” (#528).

Why do Fr. Brian and I bless chalk today so that you can take it back to your houses? Not to make designs on the sidewalk, although that might be fun but a bit too chilly to do. The purpose is so that you can take it back to your home and write the following on the beam over your entrance door or on your doorpost (if you would like):

20 + C + M + B + 16

“20” and “16” represent the year. “C,” “M,” and “B” refer to the first letters of the names of the three Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. In addition, these letters also refer to a Latin acronym. When spelled out, the phrase states: “Christus Mansionem Benedict.” It translates as “May Christ bless this house.” By receiving the blessed chalk and writing the letters and numbers above your door, you are asking Christ’s blessing on your home and all visitors who go through it during 2016…Sounds similar to another door we are also asked to enter in 2016 – the Holy Door of Mercy.

May we manifest, the love, the presence, and the Good News of Jesus in our own lives to all this week and welcome people into our blessed homes over the coming year.

* Note: I would like to attribute part of this article to Fr. Joe Esper, the pastor of Immaculate Conception in Ira Twp.