Blessing of Catholic Homes
“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house’” (Luke 10:5).
Let Us All Become Missionary Disciples!
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC PARISH
BASIC CATHOLIC PRAYERS
Our Father - Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary - Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be - Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
An Act of Faith - O my God, I firmly believe that You are one God in three divine persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe that Your divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the holy Catholic Church teaches because You have revealed them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. Amen.
An Act of Hope - O my God, trusting in Your promises and because You are faithful, powerful and merciful, I hope, through the merits of Jesus Christ, for the pardon of my sins, final perseverance and the blessed glory of heaven. Amen.
An Act of Love - O my God, because You are infinite goodness and worthy of infinite love, I love You with my whole heart above all things, and for love of You I love my neighbor as myself. I forgive all who have offended me and ask pardon of all whom I have offended. Amen.
An Act of Contrition - O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Morning Offering - O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of the Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, the reunion of all Christians, and the intentions of our Holy Father, the Pope. Amen.
Night Prayer - O eternal God and Ruler of all creation, You have allowed me to reach this hour. Forgive the sins I have committed this day by word, deed or thought. Purify me, O Lord, from every spiritual and physical stain. Grant that I may rise from this sleep to glorify You by my deeds throughout my entire lifetime, and that I be victorious over every spiritual and physical enemy. Deliver me, O Lord, from all vain thoughts and from evil desires, for yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
Grace Before Meals - Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thanksgiving After Meals - We give Thee thanks, almighty God, for all Thy gifts, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. [1]
SIGN OF THE CROSS & GREETING
Minister: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Minister: Peace be to this house and with all who live here.
All: And with your spirit.
Minister: 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 among you; may he nurture your love for each other, share in your joys, comfort you in your sorrows. Inspired by his teachings and example, seek to make your home before all else a dwelling place of love, diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ.
PSALM 112: RESPONSORIAL
Reader: R/ Happy are those who fear the Lord.
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/
Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever. He dawns through the darkness, a light for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. R/
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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/
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/
Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. R/
GOSPEL (Pick One)
Minister: Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the holy gospel according to Luke:
(Luke 19:1-9) Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall
[3] repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.”
(Luke 10:5-9) 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.’”
Optional Reflection from Priest or Deacon
CREED (All)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
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INTERCESSIONS
Minister: The Son of God, Lord of heaven and earth, made his home among us. With thankfulness and gladness let us call upon him:
R/ Stay with us, Lord.
Reader: 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. R/
Reader: Lord Jesus Christ, you had no place to lay your head, but in the spirit of poverty you accepted the hospitality of your friends; grant that through our help the homeless may obtain proper housing. R/
Reader: Lord Jesus Christ, in you every dwelling grows into a holy temple; grant that those who live in this house may be built together into the dwelling place of God in the Holy Spirit. R/
Reader: Lord Jesus Christ, 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. R/
The Lord’s Prayer
ENTHRONEMENT
Set a picture or statue of Jesus or the Sacred Heart on a home altar made upon a table or mantelpiece. Sometimes a cross [5] or crucifix is substituted. An image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary may be added. The image is kissed by each person. Cover the home altar with a white cloth and decorate it with flowers and candles. Photos of departed and absent family members may be placed around it. Keep holy water handy. The priest blesses the statue or picture.
Minister:
Let us pray, almighty and everlasting God, who does approve the painting and sculpturing of the images of your saints, so that as often as we gaze upon them we are reminded to imitate their deeds and sanctity; vouchsafe, we implore you, to bless and sanctify this image made in honor and in memory of the Most Sacred Heart of your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; and grant that whosoever, in its presence, will suppliantly worship and honor the Most Sacred Heart of your only begotten Son, may obtain through his merits and intercession grace in this life and everlasting glory in the world to come. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
The priest sprinkles the picture with holy water.
ACT OF CONSECRATION
Minister:
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, who did make known to St. Margaret Mary your ardent desire to reign over Christian families, behold us assembled here today to proclaim your absolute dominion over our home.
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Henceforth we purpose to lead a life like yours so that among us may flourish the virtues for which you did promise peace on earth, and for this end we will banish from our midst the spirit of the world which you abhor so much.
You will reign over our understanding by the simplicity of our faith. You will reign over our hearts by an ardent love for you; and may the flame of this love be ever kept burning in our hearts by the frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist.
Deign, O Divine Heart, to preside over our meetings, to bless our undertakings, both spiritual and temporal, to banish all worry and care, to sanctify our joys and soothe our sorrows. If any of us should ever have the misfortune to grieve your Sacred Heart, remind him of your goodness and mercy toward the repentant sinner.
Lastly, when the hour of separation will sound and death will plunge our home into mourning, then shall we all and every one of us be resigned to your eternal decrees, and seek consolation in the thought that we shall all one day be reunited in heaven, where we shall sing the praises and blessings of your Sacred Heart for all eternity.
May the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the glorious Patriarch St. Joseph offer you this Consecration and remind us of the same all the days of our life.
Calling to mind absent and deceased family members, let us pray an Our Father and a Hail Mary.
All: (Our Father & Hail Mary)
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LITANY TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Lord, have mercy. R. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. R. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. R. Lord, have mercy.
Response for Invocations: “Have mercy on us.”
God our Father in heaven, God the Son, Redeemer of the world, God the Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity, one God, Heart of Jesus, Son of the eternal Father, Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother, Heart of Jesus, one with the eternal Word, Heart of Jesus, infinite in majesty, Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God, Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High, Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven, Heart of Jesus, aflame with love for us, Heart of Jesus, source of justice and love, Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, Heart of Jesus, wellspring of all virtue, Heart of Jesus, worthy of all praise, Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts, Heart of Jesus, treasure-house of wisdom and knowledge, Heart of Jesus, in whom there dwells the fullness of God, Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased, Heart of Jesus, from whose fullness we have all received, Heart of Jesus, desire of the eternal hills, Heart of Jesus, patient and full of mercy, Heart of Jesus, generous to all who turn to you, Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness, Heart of Jesus, atonement for our sins, Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with insults, [8]
Heart of Jesus, broken for our sins, Heart of Jesus, obedient even to death, Heart of Jesus, pierced by a lance, Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, Heart of Jesus, salvation of all who trust in you, Heart of Jesus, hope of all who die in you, Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints,
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, R. Have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, R. Have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, gentle and humble of heart. R. Touch our hearts and make them like your own.
Let us pray,
Father, we rejoice in the gifts of love we have received from the heart of Jesus your Son. Open our hearts to share his life and continue to bless us with his love. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R. Amen.
ACT OF DEDICATION (All)
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours, and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold, we freely consecrate ourselves today to your Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you; many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have [9] mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart. / Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. / Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. / Grant, O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations; and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor forever. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (All)
Glory be to you, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the infinite mercy you have bestowed upon the privileged members of this family. You have chosen it from thousands of others, as a recipient of your Love and a sanctuary of reparation wherein your most loving heart shall find consolation for all the ingratitude of men. How great, O Lord Jesus, is the confusion of this portion of your faithful flock as we accept the unmerited honor of seeing you preside over our family! Silently we adore you, overjoyed to see you sharing under the same roof the toils, cares, and joys of your innocent children! It is true we are not worthy that you should enter our humble abode, but you have already reassured us, when you revealed your Sacred Heart to us, teaching us to find in the wound of your Sacred Side the source of grace and life
[10] everlasting. In this loving and trusting spirit we give ourselves to you, you who are unchanging life. Remain with us, Most Sacred Heart, for we feel an irresistible desire to love you and make you loved.
May our home be for you a haven as sweet as that of Bethany, where you can find rest in the midst of loving friends, who like Mary have chosen the better part in the loving intimacy of your Heart! May this home be for you, O beloved Savior, a humble but hospitable refuge during the exile imposed on you by your enemies.
Come, then, Lord Jesus, come, for here as at Nazareth, we have a tender love for the Virgin Mary, your sweet Mother, whom you have given us to be our Mother. Come to fill with your sweet presence the vacancies which misfortune and death have wrought in our midst.
O most faithful Friend, had you been here in the midst of sorrow, our tears would have been less bitter; the comforting balm of peace would have soothed these hidden wounds, which are known to you alone. Come, for even now perhaps, there is drawing near for us the twilight of tribulation, and the decline of the passing days of our youth and illusions. Stay with us, for already it is late, and a perverted world seeks to envelop us in the darkness of its denials while we wish to adhere to you, who alone are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Repeat for us those words you uttered of old, “This day I must abide in this home.”
Yes, dear Lord, take up your abode with us, so that we may live in your love and in your presence, we who proclaim you
[11] as our King and wish no other! May your triumphant Heart, O Jesus, be forever loved, blessed, and glorified in this home. Your Kingdom come! Amen.
(Recite Hail Holy Queen)
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Minister: Lord, be close to your servants who 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. / Lord God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only- begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house + and all who inhabit it. Fill them with the light of Christ, that their concern for others may reflect your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
The minister sprinkles those present with holy water.
Minister:
Let this water call to mind our baptism in Christ, who has redeemed us by his death and resurrection.
May the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit, descend upon you and remain forever.
All: Amen.
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Going from room to room sprinkling holy water, the following prayers may be used:
At the entrance: O God, protect our going out and our coming in; Let us share the hospitality of this home with all who visit us, that those who enter here may know your love and peace.
In the living room: O God, give your blessings to all who share this room, that we may be knit together in companionship.
In the kitchen: O God, you fill the hungry with good things. Send your blessing on us, as we work in this kitchen, and make us ever thankful for our daily bread.
In the dining room: Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth, for you give us food and drink to sustain our lives and make our hearts glad. Help us to be grateful for all your mercies, and mindful of the needs of others.
In the bedrooms: Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, we may rest in his peace.
In the bathroom: Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth. You formed us in wisdom and love. Refresh us in body and in spirit, and keep us in good health that we might serve you.
Minister: 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.
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PRAYERS OF THE ROSARY
Sign of the Cross
The Apostles’ Creed – I BELIEVE IN GOD, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. / I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer / Hail Mary / Glory Be / Fatima Aspiration
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
1. Annunciation 1. Resurrection 2. Visitation 2. Ascension 3. Nativity 3. Descent of the Holy Spirit 4. Presentation 4. Assumption 5. Finding Jesus in the Temple 5. Coronation
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES
1. Agony in the Garden 1. Baptism of the Lord 2. Scourging at the Pillar 2. Wedding at Cana 3. Crowning with Thorns 3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of 4. Carrying of the Cross God 5. Crucifixion 4. Transfiguration 5. Institution of the Eucharist
HAIL, HOLY QUEEN, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O GOD, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and you, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast down to hell Satan and the other evil spirits, who prowl through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
Homes are ultimately blessed, not simply by priests and deacons with holy water, but by the holiness and faith of those who live there. Make your homes “little churches” where you will never be ashamed or dismissive of the presence of Christ. As Missionary Disciples of Christ, witness to your family and neighbors what it means to be a Catholic Christian believer.
Holy Family Catholic Church 12010 Woodmore Road Mitchellville, MD 20721
301-249-2266