Gather as a family (roommates, friends, relatives) in any room you
desire, with a crucifix present.
(Yes you can – and are encouraged to – bless your own home even if a
priest is not available!)
ALL MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.
The leader, which the Bishops encourage to be a layperson, begins:
Peace be with this house and with all who live here.
All Respond: Blessed be the name of the Lord.
THE LEADER MAY USE THESE OR SIMILAR WORDS TO INTRODUCE THE HOUSE
BLESSING:
When Christ took flesh through the Blessed Virgin Mary, he made his
home with us. Let us now pray that he will enter this home and bless it
with his presence. May he always be here among us; may he nurture
our love for each other, share in our joys, and comfort us in our
sorrows. Inspired by his teachings and example, let us seek to make our
home before all else a dwelling place of love, diffusing far and wide the
goodness of Christ.
THEN THE SCRIPTURE IS READ BY ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER:
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians
You are God’s chosen race, his saints; He loves you, and you should be
clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness
and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a
quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same.
Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put
on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts; because it is
for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be
thankful. Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with
you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With
gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to
God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The word of the Lord.
All Respond: Thanks be to God.
After the scripture reading, all go from room to room, offering prayers
of intercession and sprinkling holy water, if desired. Some of the
following prayers may be used.
AT THE ENTRANCE:
O God, protect our going out and our coming in. Let us share the
hospitality of this home with all who visit us, that those who enter here
may know your love and peace.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen
IN THE KITCHEN:
O God, you fill the hungry with good things. Send your blessing on us,
as we work in this kitchen, and make us ever thankful for our daily
bread.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
IN THE DINING ROOM:
Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth, for you give us food and
drink to sustain our lives and make our hearts glad. Help us to be
grateful for all your mercies, and mindful of the needs of others.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
IN THE BEDROOMS:
Protect us, Lord as we stay awake: watch over us as we sleep, that
awake we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, we may rest in his
peace.
Grant this through Christ our Lord: Amen.
IN THE BATHROOM:
Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth. You formed us in wisdom
and love. Refresh us in body and in spirit, and keep us in good health
that we might serve you.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
RETURN TO THE STARTING PLACE:
A Cross or an Icon is kissed by each person, and then put in a
permanent place of honour. You may like to light a candle.
ALL RECITE THE LORD’S PRAYER:
PRAY THE FOLLOWING:
Be our shelter, Lord, when we are at home, our companion when we
are away and our welcome guest when we return. At last receive us
into the dwelling place that you have prepared for us in your Father’s
house, where you live for ever and ever. Amen.
ALL MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS AND CONCLUDE WITH:
May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, and may the word of Christ
in all its richness dwell in us, so that whatever we do in word and in
work, we will do in the name of the Lord. Amen.
PRAYER
We humbly beg you God the Father Almighty to bless and sanctify this
home, those who live in it and everything in it.
Be so kind as to fill it with all good things.
Grant us, Lord abundance of blessings from heaven and the substance
of life from the richness of the earth.
Direct the longing of our prayer to the fruits of your mercy.
Be so kind, then, as to bless and sanctify this home at our coming in,
just as you blessed the home of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
May your angels of light live within the Walls of this house, and guard it
and all who live in it.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Adapted from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, Bishop’s Committee on the Liturgy National Conference of
Catholic Bishops © 1988, pp. 297-301