House Blessing Prayer

Setting: Gather as a family (roommates, friends, relatives) in any room you desire, with a crucifix present if possible. Yes, you can and are encouraged to bless your own home/apartment/condo/dorm room even if a priest isn't available! 
 
Leader: 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 
All: Amen 
 
Leader: 
"Peace be to this house and: to all who dwell here, in the name of the Lord.”
 
All: Blessed be God forever. 
 
Leader: 
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 us; may he nurture our love for each other, share in our joys, comfort us in our sorrows. Inspired by his teachings and example, let us seek to make our home before all else a dwelling place of love, diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ. 
 
Reader: 
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians     (3:12-17)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And overall of these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
 The word of the Lord. 
 
All: Thanks be to God. 
 
After the scripture reading, all go from room to room, offering prayers of intercession and sprinkling holy water, if desired. Some of the following prayers may be used. 
 
At the entrance: 
 
In the living room: 
Leader: 
O God, give your blessings to all who share this room, that we may be knit together in companionship. Grant this through Christ our Lord.             
All: Amen. 
 
In the kitchen: 
Leader: 
O God, you fill the hungry with good things. Send your blessing on us, as we work in this kitchen, and make us ever thankful for our daily bread. Grant this through Christ our Lord. 
All: Amen. 
 
In the dining room: 
Leader: 
Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth, for you give us food and drink to sustain our lives and make our hearts glad. Help us to be grateful for all your mercies, and mindful of the needs of others. Grant this through Christ our Lord. 
All: Amen. 
 
In the bedrooms: 
Leader: 
Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, That awake we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, we may rest in his peace. Grant this through Christ our Lord. 
All: Amen. 
 
In the bathroom: 
Leader: 
Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth. You formed us in wisdom and love. Refresh us in body and in spirit, and keep us in good health that we might serve you. Grant this through Christ our Lord 
All: Amen. 

All return to the starting place. A cross or icon is kissed by each person and then put in a permanent place of honor. A candle may be lighted before it. 
 
Leader: 
Let us pray the prayer that our Savior taught us. 
 
All: 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 but deliver us from evil. 
 
Leader: 
Be our shelter, Lord, when we are at home, our companion when we are away, and our welcome guest when we return and at last receive us into the dwelling place you have prepared for us in your Father's house, where you live forever and ever. 
All: Amen. 
 
Leader: 
May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts (+), and may the word of Christ in all its richness dwell in us, so that whatever we do in word and in work, we will do in the name of the Lord. 
 
All: Amen.