Epiphany Blessing

This Epiphany season I received the customary hand-made house blessing from Will and Lorna in Secaucus, New Jersey.

For several years, two now in Rome, their Epiphany letter of news and family happenings has been accompanied by a blessing plaque designed by Will. It is based on a European tradition of using blessed chalk and writing the year and letters over the front door at Epiphany. The letters C M B represent the traditional names given to the three wisemen: Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. The note from Bill and Lorna suggests that the same letters C M B can also stand for the Latin phrase "Christus Mansionem Benedica - Christ Bless this Home!"