When and How to Pray for Your Home
Gather the household, make the sign of the cross and pray slowly. You may name the people who live there and ask for help with a particular need. If you have blessed holy water, you can reverently use it as a reminder of baptism. For a formal blessing of a new home, contact your parish and ask a priest or deacon to arrange it using the Church’s approved rite.
A partial indulgence is granted for devoutly using an approved prayer at the beginning or end of the day; the Enchiridion of Indulgences lists this Compline prayer under concession 26 §2.
Can a Catholic Pray for a House Blessing Without a Priest?
Yes. Anyone can ask God to bless a household in private prayer. The prayer above comes from the traditional Compline collect and is suitable for that purpose. A household devotion is distinct from arranging the Church’s formal rite with a priest or deacon; your parish can explain the appropriate form.
Do I Need Holy Water for a House Blessing Prayer?
Holy water can accompany the prayer, but it is not required to ask God’s blessing. Use water that has actually been blessed, and follow your parish’s guidance. EWTN’s guide to prayer in the home includes the traditional Compline prayer among family devotions.
Is This the Epiphany House Blessing?
No. This is an ordinary household prayer for any time of year. Epiphany chalking is a separate seasonal custom involving the doorway inscription. Our Epiphany house blessing guide explains that custom and its prayers.