Blessed Chalk?

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Have you ever used one of the Dummy books? I’ve found the ones I’ve used a great resource, presenting down to earth, basic information on whatever topic I’ve been researching.

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Catholicism for Dummies*** is 398 pages of information, updated for the new translation and comes with a Nihil Obstat & an Imprimatur.

I love the books, didnt it show???

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Have you ever read a “… for Dummies” book? They are very good books and make what can be complex subjects comprehensible to everyone, not just those who are experts in the subject.

I love the books.
Good for beginning.
What I was referring is to the future not to the past.
What to read next…

 

[RevKatCarroll]

I am reading Catholicism for Dummies right now and it mentions the Feast of Epiphany. I know about Epiphany, but did not know about the practice of having chalk blessed by a priest on that day in order to write the year and the first initials of the magi above the door to one’s home. I asked a few Catholics I know personally if they had ever done this or heard if it, and they haven’t. Do any of you celebrate Epiphany in this way?

 

[shirleyz]

I remember our priest visiting each home in the parish and writing JMJ (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph) on top of the doors in our house. This was back in the 1950s. Not sure if anyone does this anymore

 

[RevKatCarroll]

This is the Epiphany Blessing. I do this to my own house every January (usually the 6th) and for any person who asks for a house clearing and or blessing. As a Minister and investigators of the paranormal, many things can be explained but even if nothing is found, I see it as a wonderful opportunity to preach the good news of Christ’s Gospel and sometimes refer them to a medical practitioner. After investigating and sometimes expelling negative energies, we bless the threshold of the home (or business) with blessed chalk I bless my own chalk and other Sacraments but any Priest, especially Catholic, Southern Baptist or Deliverance Ministry would be happy to provide you with blessed chalk and holy water. But call ahead as not every church has chalk but they will have a vestibule with a spigot just for obtaining holy water. This is NOT drinking water so don’t drink it. People put there hands in it and it’s used for crossing your forehead or sprinkling on things or people as part of a blessing or protection. If a local church doesn’t have blessed chalk, simply pick up a small box from the dollar store and ask a Priest to bless all of it. Now you have an assortment of colors to choose from! The Epiphany Blessing is generally performed on the Jewish New Year January 6th but any time in January is good (or any time you have need). You know from your research that the number at the beginning and end represent the year: So for 2013, the blessing above your door is 20+C+M-B+13. It has a couple of meanings; The three Magi came to see the infant Jesus (Caspar, Malachi and Balthasar) they crossed the threshold of that humble stable and beheld our Lord, blessing him with expensive gifts of gold and healing oils. The Latin for "May God bless this house " (or dwelling) is Christus mansionem benedicat (C,M,B again). Placing Epiphany blessing numbers and letters along with the translation underneath in English or Latin, above your doorway or on the top frame is a beautiful way to show your devotion and remind all who enter or leave that they are blessed through our faith in Christ. I encourage you to continue studying, particularly from the New Testament rather than the old. Never stop asking questions or searching for The Kingdom and you’ will be guided.
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“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”

Galatians 5:4

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1

Simply meaning, the law Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai was good in the beginning but mankind, being weak and sinful, often due to the lies and temptations from Satan, would have meant our destruction from God’s wrath (the wage for sin is death). Christ paid the wages for the sins of the entire world with His precious blood, by his death on Calvary Hill, along with the miracle of his resurrection. We, as faithful Christians know and fully believe we are forgiven and saved. We don’t need to ask for it (that shows doubt) Give thanks for his Word and his Works which cause our hearts to change and repent from sinning. We are even asked to do the same works that Jesus did (without having to suffer all the torment He did). .

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Matthew 10:7-8

Good luck and many blessings on your journey through life.:angel1::

 

[Phemie]

I remember our priest visiting each home in the parish and writing JMJ (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph) on top of the doors in our house. This was back in the 1950s. Not sure if anyone does this anymore

That was a lot easier to do back when the Church was the center of the Community and almost everyone knew each other. I havent experienced a priest doing a parochial visit since the 60s. Its too bad, our parish would lend itself to that. It would take about 2 months for the priest to visit everyone and dedicate 30 minutes to each home but with so much more on his plate, he simply does not have the time.

 

[migurl]

I had never heard of it before last year. Our new parish priest introduced our parish to it. He explained it from the pulpit during his Homily and i was surprised I had not heard of it before. There was also an insert in the bulletin explaining it and had the instructions on just what to write. Just because you weren’t aware of it doesn’t mean it is a dumb tradition.