Order of Blessing P Lord, Jesus Christ, you have made holy the life together within
New Home a home with Mary and Joseph: may you deem it worthy to dwell
The sign of the cross is made here.
GREETING
P 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.
All Amen.
INTRODUCTORY RITE
P Dearly beloved brothers and sisters, let us pray fervently to
Christ who deemed it worthy to be born of the Virgin Mary to dwell
among us, in order that he may deem it worthy to enter under this
roof and to bless this house with his presence. May Christ the Lord
be present here in your midst, nourishing your mutual love as
brothers and sisters, sharing in your joys and comforting you in
times of grief. As followers of Christs commands and examples, be
primarily concerned with making this new house a home wherein the
sweet odor of Christs goodness spreads far and wide.
GOSPEL
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.
INTERCESSIONS
P With gratitude and joy, let us call upon the Son of God, Lord of
heaven and earth, the Word made flesh to dwell among us, to him
we say:
STAY WITH US, LORD.
with us in this house so that we may recognize you as our guest and
worship you as the head of this household. (R)
P In you, every well-built dwelling develops into a holy temple:
make the dwellers in this house become built up into the home of
God in the Spirit. (R)
P You have taught your faithful to build the house upon solid
rock: grant that the life of this family may strongly adhere to your
words and keep away all divisiveness so as to serve you with
generous heart and willing mind. (R)
P While you yourself did not own any home, you have accepted
with the joy of a poor person the hospitable welcome of your
friends: make it so that all who come to this dwelling place may find
this house worthy of being called a home with our support and
assistance. (R)
PRAYER OF BLESSING
P Be present, Lord, among your servants who inaugurate (today)
this house, praying humbly for your blessing so that they may feel
secure in having you as refuge while they reside here, they may
rejoice in having you as companion while they go out, they may
enjoy the welcome you accord when they return home until they
joyfully find the mansion prepared for them in your Fathers home
where you live and reign with the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.
The minister sprinkles with holy water the gathered people and the house. He may,
if he so desires, say these words:
P Let this water call to mind our baptism in Christ, who by his
death and resurrection has redeemed us.
CONCLUDING RITE
P May the peace of Christ reign in our hearts, may the word of
Christ dwell abundantly within us so that whatever we do in word
and deed we may all accomplish in the name of the Lord now and
for ever.