The Family at home is the DOmestic Church
“Every blessing praises God and prays for his gifts. In Christ, Christians are blessed by God the Father “with every spiritual blessing.”
This is why the Church imparts blessings by invoking the name of Jesus, usually while making the holy sign of the cross of Christ.”
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Domestic Church and Having your home blessed
In the context of the family that we first learn who God is and to prayerfully seek His will for us.
To have a blessed home is more than having the priest or deacon come perform the blessing; its having a Christ centered family. It is also having a home of love, joy and peace.
Have a Catholic bible** in the home (Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition, The New American Bible, The St. Joseph Bible, and the Biblio Latino Americana) and use it often!
** A Catholic Bible will also have a Nihil Obstat and an Imprimatur listed in the inside, in one of the first pages, which means there is no objection of this book from the Catholic Church, and a declaration authorizing publication of the book.
A few things you can do as a family to help build the Domestic Church at home is…
Begin praying as a family and reading from Scripture daily, certainly before meals, but also first thing in the morning or before bed. Find a time that works for your family. Use the liturgy of the Church as a model for prayer, and try to include heartfelt unstructured prayer as well.
Pray a Family Rosary (each member leads a decade, and everyone shares intentions).
Have a crucifix in a prominent place in the home, and in every bedroom.
Make the Sacraments a regular celebration – take the whole family to Confession and Mass!
Begin family traditions based on the seasons celebrated in the liturgical calendar.
Make your vacation a holy pilgrimage by visiting the shrines and saints of our land and the world.
Make worshiping God a priority. Never miss Mass, even while traveling – go to: www.MassTimes.org. . . to find a church near you!
Teach stewardship and charity to your children, through word and example.
Demonstrate love for your spouse, your children, your neighbors, and the world. Remind their children that they are loved by God and have been given gifts to serve others.
Talk freely about the presence of God in the joys and sorrows of your life.
Welcome into your home and support priests, brothers, sisters, deacons, and lay ministers in the Church.
Participate in the lay ministries and activities of your parish community.
Allow your children to witness you in private prayer. Encourage your children to pray daily on their own, to listen for God’s call, and if heard, to respond. (from usccb.org)
Would you and your family like your home blessed?
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If you are not a registered parishioner, and do not live within our parish boundaries, please check the Archdiocese of San Antonio Parish Finder website to contact the parish closest to you to request a home blessing.