When a military family moves into a new home, the structure itself may be unfamiliar but the sense of starting fresh is a common thread. At Minot Air Force Base, chaplains are helping families mark that new beginning with a meaningful spiritual tradition: home blessings.
While the practice is most commonly associated with the Catholic faith, chaplains from a variety of denominations on base are available to support service members and their families who wish to invite a sense of peace, gratitude, and faith into their homes.
“Home blessings are often requested before a family even moves their belongings in,” said Maj. Mario Rosario, Deputy Chaplain for the 5th Bomb Wing. “It’s a chance to pause, pray as a family, and give thanks for a place to rest, shelter from the cold, from the heat, and from life’s many challenges.”
In the Catholic tradition, the chaplain typically offers prayers of thanksgiving and protection, asks for peace among those who live in the home, and blesses the space with holy water, a symbol of baptism and God’s presence in the home.
“It’s both a blessing on the people who reside there and the place itself,” Maj. Rosario explained. “We’re asking God to dwell with them in their daily lives.”
For Catholic families like Christine Bartholomew’s, home blessings have become a meaningful part of each military move. “I have not done so here at Minot yet, but we have often had our houses blessed at each assignment,” Bartholomew shared. “As Catholics, we have always asked a Catholic chaplain or priest to do the blessing. They have a Book of Blessings, also known as the Roman Ritual, and the house blessing can be quite involved, some chaplains visit every room and open every closet and storage space. We’ve usually invited the chaplain to join us for a meal before or after the blessing.”
Requests for blessings aren’t limited to homes. Over the years, the chaplains at Minot AFB have also blessed vehicles, newborns’ rooms, and even pets. In fact, the chapel typically hosts a Blessing of the Animals each year on October 4, in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology.
Although Catholic chaplains often perform these blessings, the base chapel accommodates service members of all faith backgrounds. If a family requests a blessing aligned with a different tradition, the chapel team works to match them with a chaplain who shares or respects that faith practice.
“We always encourage families to stop by the chapel office to talk with us,” said Rosario. “It’s a great way to build a relationship, and to make sure their needs, spiritual and otherwise, are being supported.”
While some families seek a blessing before ever stepping foot in their new home, others might wait weeks or even months before reaching out. Chaplains emphasize there’s no wrong time to invite faith into a space.
“Some people may feel like they’re not ‘holy enough’ to bless their own home, but that’s what we’re here for,” Rosario said. “We’re happy to come alongside families at any stage.”
Those interested in requesting a home blessing can contact the Minot AFB Chapel by phone or in person. Whether you’re preparing to move in, adjusting to a new season of life, or simply seeking peace in your space, the chaplain corps is ready to walk with you.
