The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BLESSING OF THE CHALK: EPIPHANY

ON THE EPIPHANY OF JESUS, POLISH CHURCHES OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC
FAITH BLESS CHALK. PARISHIONERS THEN TAKE A PIECE OF BLESSED
CHALK HOME. USING THE BLESSED CHALK, THE PARISHIONER MARKS THE
DOORWAYS OF HIS HOME WITH "KMB."

Submitter comment: 'KMB' IS THE INITIALS OF THE THREE WISE MEN--KASPAR, MELCHIOR,
AND BALTHAZAR. THE DOORS ARE MARKED TO KEEP THE FAMILY SAFE AND
HEALTHY. THE INFORMANT NO LONGER PRACTICES THIS.
THE INFORMANT LEARNT THIS IN DETROIT.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: CA00001890S ; 01-13-1980