House Blessing

House Blessing

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Response: Amen.
+ Peace be with this house and with all who live here. Response: And with your spirit.


In the following or similar words, the minister prepares those present for the 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 with you, share in your joys, comfort you in your sorrows. Inspired by his teachings and example, seek to make your new home before all else a dwelling place of love, diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ.


Reading of the Word of God


Listen to the words of the holy gospel according to Luke: 10:5-9
Peace to this house.
The Lord said to the seventy-two: "Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.'"


R. Happy are those who fear the Lord.
(Psalm 112)


Happy the man who fears the Lord,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.


R. Happy are those who fear the Lord.


Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure for ever.
He dawns through the darkness,
a light for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.


R. Happy are those who fear the Lord.


Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just man shall be in everlasting remembrance.


R. Happy are those who fear the Lord.


An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes.


R. Happy are those who fear the Lord.


Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure for ever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.


R. Happy are those who fear the Lord.


Lord Jesus Christ, by your life with Mary and Joseph you sanctified the life of the home; dwell with us in our home, so that we may have you as our guest and honor you as our Head. (For this we pray:) Response: Lord Hear our Prayer.

In you every dwelling grows into a holy temple; grant that those who live in this house may be built up together into the dwelling place of God in the Holy Spirit. (For this we pray:) Response: Lord Hear our Prayer.

You taught your followers to build their houses upon solid rock; grant that the members of this family may hold fast to your teachings and, free of all discord, serve you with their whole heart. (For this we pray:) Response: Lord Hear our Prayer.

You had no place to lay your head, but in uncomplaining poverty you accepted the hospitality of your friends; grant that through our help people who are homeless may obtain decent housing. (For this we pray:) Response: Lord Hear our Prayer.


Prayer of Blessing


Lord,
be close to your servants who move into this home and ask for your blessing. Be their shelter when they are at home, their companion when they are away, and their welcome guest when they return.
And at last receive them into the dwelling place you have prepared for them in your Father's house,
where you live for ever and ever. R. Amen.


Sprinkling of the Holy Water
+ Let this water call to mind our Baptism into Christ, who has redeemed us by his death and resurrection.


Concluding Rite


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. R. Amen.