According to The Arizona Republic, Real Estate Section's article, "Believe It:Home Blessings On the Rise", dated September 21, 2008, house blessings are the biggest trend since feing shui. I know as a Roman Catholic, I've been to a few house blessings conducted by priests, but you can also perform one yourself. Rest assured home/house blessings are not exorcisms. They are 2 different things. They are not only for new houses, you may want to bless a house where something negative just happened a death, a divorce, or a crime. Or you may just want a fresh start for your family. You can also bless a trailer, apartment, or even a tent.

According to the article blessings although not common in American culture are common in other cultures across the world, such as home blessings, baby blessings, retirement blessings, pet blessings, new business blessings, etc.

In America, blessings are conducted by a wide range of practitioners from new age practitioners to ordained clergy. Or like I said you can do it yourself. They can include drumming, chanting, censing, candles, smudging(with incense), ringing, and singing. You start at the threshold of the front door, and say "Bless this house," and then you move from room to room and pray for what you want to happen in each room, i.e, family dinners in the dining room, close loving family in the family room, restful, peaceful, restorative sleep in the bedroom, etc.

In the Catholic family, you usually place a blessed crucifix on the wall, near or over the threshold. And you have a bible reading, some prayers, and maybe some singing if you like, and sprinkle holy water, with a blessing for each room, and the threshold.

Home blessings can be just for the immediate family, or yourself if you are single, or you can invite guests. Serve a few refreshments, and make it a house warming/home blessing.

Watch the Religion section for my copy of a Roman Catholic house blessing, at http://www.xomba.com/catholic_house_blessing.

Have a Blessed Home!