House Blessing

Cel: In the name.... All: Amen Cel: Glory and Praise to God in the Highest All: Amen Cel: Peace and good will to all on earth All: Amen Cel: Our Father who art in heaven All: Hallowed be... Cel: Let us pray: God, Our Father-Mother, you who commanded Adam and his children to work hard and earn their bread by the sweat of their brows, bless the efforts and hard work put in by --and his children in getting this house and establishing a home out of this. We pray that your grace and their dependence on it may lead them on their journey of struggles, mutual acceptance and mutual respect, and caring for their children into making this into a joyful and a blessed home. We make this... Psalm: 127: Our Response: If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless 1) If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; If the Lord does not protect the city, it is useless for sentries to stand guard. 2) It is useless to work so hard for a living, getting up early and going to bed late. For the Lord provides for those he loves, while they are asleep. Our Response: Lord, bless our home 1) That the Lord's choicest blessings be upon this home and all those who live in here, we pray to the Lord, we pray 2) That the life and activities of the members of this family may reflect Christian values and principles, we pray...

3) That the Lord's unseen hands may protect and safeguard each member of this family from accidents and damages, we pray... 4) That the children may grow to give their parents joy and pride, strength and support in their old age, we pray... 5) That by their warm hospitality and thoughtfulness, they may be a delight to their neighbors, and for friends and relatives who visit this home, we pray... Blessing: God, Father-Mother, we acknowledge your presence here and in the sacrifices of this family. Blessed be this entrance and may all who come in through it be treated with respect, kindness and hospitality. May all who come in times of trouble, need and difficulty may find here welcome, support and help. May every room where we relax, pray, work, eat and express our love be blessed and sanctified that each of our activities be pleasing to you and according to your will. May we experience consolation in trouble, understanding in failures, forgiveness in mistakes, help in need, healing in sickness and blessing, prosperity and success in our efforts through each other. May your spirit abide in us that we may build a happy Christian home for us and our children. We make this ... PRAYER SPACE AT HOME When a family has set aside a room or corner as a space for prayer, this blessing may be offered. The family gathers in the prayer space for this blessing, which may be celebrated when their home is being blessed or at another time.

Reading: One of these passages may be read: Mt. 5: 1-12; 5: 13-16; Mt. 6: 1-15, or 1, 5-15; Mt. 18: 1922, or 19-20; Lk. 11: 1-4; Jn. 15: 1-8, or 1-15, or 12-17. Reflection: All pause for a minute or two of silent prayer. Then the priest or the parents may speak briefly on the gospel reading. All who are present may be invited to share their reflections. Blessing Let us ask God for his blessing. All pause for a moment of silent prayer. Heavenly Father, Lord of heaven and earth, we praise you and glue you glory. Be with us as we pray, and bless + us in your love. Let this be a place reserved for prayer. Listen to the praise and petitions of all who come here to pray, and be pleased with their worship. Send the Spirit of Jesus to guide them, and accept the praise of humble, contrite hearts. We ask this grace, holy Father, through Jesus, our Lord and our brother, In the love and unity of your Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. All answer Amen! CROSS OR CRUCIFIX God loved us so much that he sent his Son to become one of us (Jn. 3: 16-17). Jesus loved us enough to suffer and die for us: by his cross, we are saved from the power of death and sin, and by his rising, we are raised to new life with him for God.

A cross or crucifix is a reminder both of Jesus' sufferings and of his victory over death. We may use a cross in our homes, classes, and other places as a sign of our faith and a reminder that Jesus is our savior. Blessing: Heavenly Father, you sent your Son to us because you love us, and want to save us. By the power of his cross, free us from sin and let us live each day for you. Bless + this sign of glory, and let it remind us that Jesus died and rose for all. Help us to carry our cross with him every day, and to follow him in serving others. We ask this grace through Christ our Lord. All answer Amen! May the God whom we glorify with one heart and voice enable us, through the Spirit, to live in harmony as followers of Christ Jesus, now and for ever. Response : Amen. 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 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 new home before all else a dwelling place of love, diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ.

Reading of the Word of God A reader, another person present or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke When the disciples drew near to the village to which they were going; Jesus made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them saying; It is nearly evening, and the day is almost over. So he went in to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?' PSALM 112 Response : Happy are those who fear the Lord. How blessed is anyone who fears the Lord, who delights in his commandments! His descendants shall be powerful on earth, the race of the honest shall receive blessings: Response Riches and wealth for his family; his uprightness stands firm for ever. For the honest he shines as a lamp in the dark, generous, tender-hearted, and. upright. Response All goes well for one who lends generously, who is honest in all his dealings; for all time to come he will not stumble, for all time to come the upright will be remembered. Response To the needy he gives without stint, his uprightness stands firm for ever, his reputation is founded on strength. Response

As circumstances suggest, the minister may give those present a brief explanation of the biblical text, so that they may understand through faith the meaning of the celebration. Intercessions The minister says: The Son of God, Lord of heaven and earth, made his home among us. With thankfulness and gladness let us call upon him, saying: Response: Stay, with us, Lord. Assisting minister: . 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 honour you as our Head. (For this we pray :) Response Assisting minister 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 Assisting minister: You taught your followers to build their houses on solid rock; grant that the members of this home may hold fast to your teachings and, free of all discord, serve you whole-heartedly. Response Assisting minister:

You had no place to lay your head but in uncomplaining poverty you accepted the hospitality of your friends; may all those who come here experience hospitality, welcome and acceptance. (For this we pray:) Response Prayer of Blessing Lord, be close to your servants who will pray, worship and meditate here and ask for your blessing on their life and ministry here. 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. Response: Amen. After the sprinkles those present and the chapel with hjoly water Concluding Rite May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and may the word of Christ in all its riches dwell in us, so that whatever we do in word and in deed, we will do in the name of the Lord.' Response : Amen. Psalm15 R/- LORD, who will enter your Temple? Who will worship you in your sacred place?

1) A person who obeys God in everything and always does what is right, whose words are true and sincere, and who does not slander others. 2) He does no wrong to his friends nor spreads rumors about his neighbors. 3) He despises those whom God rejects, but honours those who obey the LORD. 4) He always does what he promises, no matter how much it may cost. 5) He makes loans without charging interest and bribed to testify against the innocent. 6) Whoever does these things will always be secure. Lord God, who by your incarnation reconciled our world with heaven and who by your death on the cross redeemed your Church, bless this chapel and all those who worship you here. Bring your peace to all those who come here in discord or struggles, give serenity to those who come here disturbed by life and relationships, and grant direction to those who come here confused and indecisive. Allow us Lord the grace to offer you holy service with a heart, mind and body pure and worthy in your presence. cannot be