At the Easter Vigil each year holy water is blessed. It is a tradition in Ireland that families bring this Easter water home with them to bless themselves, their homes, vehicles and also the graves of loved ones. Families are encouraged to pray together and bless their homes with the Easter water when they return from Mass on Holy Saturday night or Easter Sunday, or at some other time during the Easter season.
WHY TAKE THIS INITIATIVE?
This initiative seeks to recover a traditional religious practice that meant a lot to Irish families. The faithful have always been encouraged to take holy water home and to use it as part of their daily lives. They have also been encouraged to regularly seek God’s blessing on themselves, their families and on their homes, vehicles, religious objects and other items. In Ireland the great affection that people have for deceased loved ones has been shown by the tradition of blessing graves
Beannú Tí
Go mBeannaí Dia an teach seo óna bhun go dtí a bharr, go mbeannaí sé gach fardoras, gach cloch is gach clár, go mbeannaí sé an teaghlach, an bord ar a leagtar bia,
go mbeannaí sé gach seomra I gcomhair sámh chodladh na hoíche. go mbeannaí sé an doras a osclóimid go fial
don stráinséir is don bhoctan chomh maith is dár ngaol, go mbeannaí sé na fuineeoga a ligeann dúinn an léas
ó sholas geal na gréine, na gealaí is na réalt,
Go mbeannaí sé na frathacha in airde os ár gcionn Is fós gach balla daingean atá inár dtimpeallú inniu.
Go bhfana síocháin dá réir sin don ár gcomharsan, cion is grá.
Go mbeannaí Dia an mhuirear seo agam agus a choimead ó bhaol. Is go stiúra sé sinn uile go dtí a ribhrú féin. Amen.
House Blessing
May God bless this house from top to bottom,
May He bless each lintel, each stone and beam of wood,
May He bless the household and the table on which we place food May He bless each bed room in which we seek a peaceful sleep,
May He bless the door we open generously to the stranger and the meek
– as well as to our relatives and friends.
May He bless the windows through which come the bright beams, of sunlight, moon and stars.
May He bless the rafters above our head and each strong wall surrounding us, May peace love and affection dwell herein and flow towards our neighbours.
May God bless this gathering and keep us from danger,
And May He guide us all together to his Heavenly sanctuary. Amen.
Traditional Irish Collected by An t-Ath Diarmuid Ó Laoghaire SJ
translated by Pádraigín Clancy
