What is a house blessing?

Answer

A house blessing (also known as a “house healing” or “house cleansing”) is a ritual conducted by a religious leader with the aim of safeguarding the residents of the house from difficulties and challenges. Various religions incorporate some type of house blessing as part of their customary observances or customs.

Within Christianity, a house blessing is an age-old practice. In Protestantism and Orthodox Christianity, the blessing typically involves a prayer for the house, although customs differ from one region and faith to another. At times, the blessing involves hanging a framed image of Christ with a printed prayer. Catholic priests conduct house blessings for their parishioners by sprinkling holy water in every room while praying for the occupants of the house. Priests frequently perform house blessings on Epiphany (January 6) to honor the Magi’s visit to Jesus and their presentation of gifts to Him “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”, (Matthew 2:11).

In the Bible, God blessed the homes of His servants for His own purposes and glory (Genesis 39:5; Ezekiel 44:30). There is no indication that a ritual preceded the blessing. God simply blessed His people who were obedient to Him.

There is nothing inherently sinful or unbiblical about a house blessing. It is a human tradition. The Bible does not mandate any ritual for God to bless a home, nor does it specify any regulations on how a house blessing should be conducted. As a tradition, a house blessing is a choice we are free to make or not.

Choose to do what you decide. To prevent relying on superstition, we must recall that it is God who bestows blessings, not an image in a frame or water from a dispenser.