To have a house/home blessed is a wonderful thing. A family asks for God’s blessings upon their domicile. And the Church has arranged a short ceremony for this occasion. Since the blessing of the house is an outward expression of what has happened within each person of the family at their blessing (Baptism – God coming to dwell within) it takes on a festive character. St. Veronica Church will be happy to arrange a blessing of your home by a priest. One needs to be a registered parishioner and/or live within the parish boundaries. You may call the church office to request a house blessing.

Please have a crucifix available, if possible. Typically, the priest or deacon will complete the blessing ceremony in about 30 minutes.

In the Bible, God blessed the houses of His servants for His purposes and glory

(Genesis 39:5; Ezekiel 44;30).

There is nothing that indicates that a ritual preceded the blessing. God simply blessed His people who were following in obedience to Him.

According to the Book of Blessings that approved for use in the Dioceses of the United States of America by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and confirmed by the Apostolic See, there is the Order of for the Blessing of a New Home and the Order for the Blessing of Homes during the Christmas and Easter Seasons. Both orders mas be used by a priest, deacon, or a layperson, who follows the rites and prayers designated for a lay minister.

According to the Order for the Blessing of a New Home indicates in §660 “When any of the faithful wishes to mark their moving into a new home with a religious celebration, the parish priest (pastor) and his associates should gladly cooperate. The occasion provides a special opportunity for a gathering of the members of the community to mark the joyful event and to thank God, from whom all blessings come, for the gift of a new home.” The presence of those who will live in it is necessary for blessing a new home.

It is appropriate to bless all religious statues or pictures that will be used in the house at the Blessing of a New Home.

Special Note of House Blessing with Strange Experience.
Many times, people request House Blessing because of their strange experiences with the environment of the house or their strange sensational experiences. In this case, a commitment of their religious conversion and healing of their faith and those who are resided in the house is a requisite condition for the blessing of the House. They need to meet with their pastor explaining and evaluating their situation before a blessing will proceed.

O heavenly Father, Almighty God, we humbly beseech Thee to bless and sanctify this house and all who dwell therein and everything else in it, and do Thou vouchsafe to fill it with all good things; grant to them, O Lord, the abundance of heavenly blessings and from the richness of the earth every substance necessary for life, and finally direct their desires to the fruits of Thy mercy. At our entrance, therefore, deign to bless and sanctify this house as Thou didst deign to bless the house of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob; and may the angels of Thy light, dwelling within the walk of this house, protect it and those who dwell therein. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Translated by Most Reverend J. H. Schlarman Bishop of Peoria