A House Blessing

What does a Polycarpian deacon do when he moves to a new apartment? He gets a Polycarpian pastor to bless his new house. Or at least that's what I did. I thought I'd share with readers here the rite of blessing a house, as I adapted it from the Lutheran Service Book Agenda. If one consults the rite on page 313 of that book, and compares it with what I provide below, it will be clear that they are alike in structure, but different in style of language, and in a few particular items that are in the one and not the other, and vice versa. For the record, we used the Coverdale Version of the Psalms, and the King James Version for the other scripture passages. If I could have got ahold of an aspergilium we would have also sprinkled holy water. So the house blessing was a bit simpler than I would have ideally liked, but it was very beautiful, and meaningful, nonetheless.

Please bear in mind, dear reader, that this is a form (note the indefinite article) of house blessing that was used by three Polycarpians, and that there is no requirement that members of the Society of Saint Polycarp employ the exact same ritual practice, either with a house blessing, or with any other churchly rite. This is shared here both to report a joyful event, in which three Polycarpians participated, and to show an example of a modern rite employed in a relatively traditional manner, to the edification of all those present.

Father Timothy May administered the blessing of the house, Father Mike Carter served as the assistant, and I read the first lesson, from Matthew 7 ("Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock," to the end of the chapter).

Below the rite, you will find some pictures. It was the Feast of Saint Nicholas, so I was showing off our icon of the Saint.

All gather in the Living Room.

Pastor: Peace be X to this house.

Response: Amen.

P Let us pray. Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this dwelling place, and drive far from it all the ensnarements of the enemy: let Thy holy angels dwell in it, to guard us in peace; and may Thy blessing be upon us always. Through Christ our Lord.

R Amen.

Assisting Priest: The Lord guided the righteous in right paths.

R And shewed him the kingdom of God.

ANTIPHON

A The Lord loved him and adorned him; He clothed him with a robe of glory, and at the gates of Paradise He crowned him.

MAGNIFICAT (alternately between Assisting Priest & People)

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden.

For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His Name.

And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.

He hath shewed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.

He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;

As He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to His seed forever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost,

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Lord loved him and adorned him; He clothed him with a robe of glory, and at the gates of

Paradise He crowned him.

Deacon: A lesson from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew.

After the lesson:

D The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

A And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4)

P Let us pray. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all mercies and the God of all comfort. What manner of love Thou hast bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God. As Thou hast in Christ forgiven us, grant also that we may live in that forgiveness, one toward another, free from fear and misgivings, and bound together in Thy love, which covers the multitude of our sins for Jesus’ sake.

Amen.

A Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4)

P Lord of all creation, give us a right judgement in all things, that we may rejoice in all that is good and be defended against all that is evil. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

AT THE ENTRANCE

A God maketh men to be of one mind in a house. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. (Psalm 68, Romans 15)

P Lord God, protect and guide those who dwell here as they come and go. Make them to be hospitable to all who visit this home, so that those who enter here may find peace. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

IN THE BEDROOM

A I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest. For it is Thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4)

P Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep we may rest in peace.

Amen.

IN THE STUDY

A The wisdom of a learned man cometh by opportunity of leisure: and he that hath little business shall become wise. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. (Sirach 38, Proverbs 9)

P O Lord, Thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach us to know wisdom. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

IN THE KITCHEN

A And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you. (Joel 2)

P Give us ever grateful hearts for daily bread, O Lord, and keep us ever mindful of the needs of others. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

CONCLUDING PRAYERS & BLESSING

P Taught by our Lord and trusting His promises, we are bold to pray:

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. X But deliver us from evil. Amen.

P The Lord be with you.

And with thy spirit.

P Let us pray. O Lord, Almighty God, vouchsafe to bless X and sanctify this home, its possessions, and those who dwell here. Drive far from here the snares of the wicked foe and send Thy holy angel to guard, protect, visit, and defend all who dwell in this home. Mercifull hear their prayers, and when their last hour comes, grant them safe haven in Thy heavenly mansions. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

A PRAYER OF SAINT FRANCIS

All Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.

P Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

P The Lord Almighty, the Father, the X Son, and the Holy Ghost, be and remain in this home, and with all who dwell here.

Amen.