Epiphany Water And Chalk

[Church Punk]

I was just wondering how many received blessed chalk and water today after mass and marked their doors?

Does anyone know what the significance of the chalk is other than to write 20+C+M+B+08 over the door?

(C+M+B = the names of the Magi Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar)

[Seven77]

a great Epiphany practice!

[abiding-soul]

[color="#0000FF"][size=3][font="Tahoma"]no, i didn't get any [/font][/size][/color]

[Mercy me]

I have never sen it done in the US. It was done in the ex-pat communities in South America particularly by the Germans.

[MIKolbe]

We got ours!

[SJP]

[quote name='Church Punk' post='1442767' date='Jan 6 2008, 07:33 PM']I was just wondering how many received blessed chalk and water today after mass and marked their doors?

Does anyone know what the significance of the chalk is other than to write 20+C+M+B+08 over the door?

(C+M+B = the names of the Magi Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar)[/quote]

I most certainly did!

I'm not sure if the chalk has any significance in itself.

[st-annes]

What are you talking about? I've never heard of that, never done it before and wouldn't if you paid me. It sounds ridiculous.

[cathoholic_anonymous]

I've never heard of it either. What is the significance of chalking the wise men's initials on the front door?

[goldenchild17]

got ours

[Norseman82]

Part of it is ethnic tradition. I know that it is part of Polish tradition:

[url="http://www.ppld.co.uk/en/christmas_door.htm"]http://www.ppld.co.uk/en/christmas_door.htm[/url]

[url="http://acweb.colum.edu/users/agunkel/homepage/epiphany.html"]http://acweb.colum.edu/users/agunkel/homepage/epiphany.html[/url]

[url="http://expatpol.com/index.php?stsid=30138&kid=51"]http://expatpol.com/index.php?stsid=30138&kid=51[/url]

[Church Punk]

I just found an explanation on the net for this tradition.

[quote]Today is the day for the Blessing of your home with the Epiphany Inscription Over the Doorway of your home, from Father Mark:

The letters have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. They also abbreviate the Latin words “Christus mansionem benedicat.” “May Christ bless the house.” The letters recall the day on which the inscription is made, as well as the purpose of blessing.The crosses represent the protection of the Precious Blood of Christ, whom we invoke, and the holiness of the Three Magi sanctified by their adoration of the Infant Christ. The inscription is made above the front door, so that all who enter and depart this year may enjoy God’s blessing. The month of January still bears the name of the Roman god Janus, the doorkeeper of heaven and protector of the beginning and end of things. This blessing “christens” the ancient Roman observance of the first month. The inscription is made of chalk, a product of clay, which recalls the human nature taken by the Adorable and Eternal Word of God in the womb of the Virgin Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

To bless your home this Epiphany, read the Prologue of Saint John’s Gospel, followed by the Our Father, and the Collect of the Epiphany; then write the inscription for this year above your front door with blessed chalk.[/quote]

[url="http://annunciations.wordpress.com/2008/01/06/20-c-m-b-08/"]http://annunciations.wordpress.com/2008/01/06/20-c-m-b-08/[/url]

[Resurrexi]

Ya we didn't get any...

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='st-annes' post='1442779' date='Jan 6 2008, 08:17 PM']What are you talking about? I've never heard of that, never done it before and wouldn't if you paid me. It sounds ridiculous.[/quote]
That's not very inclusive or respectful of other cultures.
Mike Nelson says that all cultures are valid. I respect your feelings about this but I still think we should celebrate diversity. I celebrate the fact that you don't do this custom but I also celebrate those who share this custom.

[jeffpugh]

[quote name='Church Punk' post='1442767' date='Jan 6 2008, 06:33 PM']I was just wondering how many received blessed chalk and water today after mass and marked their doors?

Does anyone know what the significance of the chalk is other than to write 20+C+M+B+08 over the door?

(C+M+B = the names of the Magi Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar)[/quote]
so... you're supposed to put the date in too? (I'm assuming 20...08 is 2008. Lawl. Sometimes I forget for a moment it's a new year.

[Moneybags]

[quote name='st-annes' post='1442779' date='Jan 6 2008, 07:17 PM']What are you talking about? I've never heard of that, never done it before and wouldn't if you paid me. It sounds ridiculous.[/quote]

You sound way too harsh - it is an ancient custom. Let's not bash the Holy Faith and its customs.