Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord on January 5, 2025, and Chalking Our Doors

Posted on January 3, 2025

Sunday, January 5, 2025, is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, one of the oldest of all Christian feasts. It is also known as Three Kings’ Day. It commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child.

Marking our doorways or front porch steps with blessed chalk is a centuries-old Epiphany custom and a fun, visible way to dedicate our homes and the New Year to God. The inscription this year is:

20 + C + M + B + 25

“20” and “25” stand for the new year (2025), of course. The plus signs represent the Cross. CMB are the first initials of the traditional names given to the Magi — Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. They also abbreviate the Latin Christus mansionem benedicat, or “May Christ bless the house.”

To mark your home, you will need two things: Chalk that has been blessed by a priest and a prayer. We have small bags of blessed chalk for you at the back of the Basilica during the Jan. 4-5, 2025, weekend so you can “chalk” your home! As you prepare to mark the front door or porch, say the following:

The Three Wise Men, Casper, Melchior and Balthasar, followed the star of God’s Son who became human. May Christ bless our home and be with us throughout the New Year. Amen.

Then, as you make the marks, offer the following prayer:

Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of Your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of Your love. Grant that we may manifest Your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of You. Guide, comfort and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.