Worship At Home
Catholic, Devotions February 5th, 2006
Many Catholics and other Christians (and people from other religions) create a "worship space" (I don’t like this word in the parish context, but here I think it fits) within their homes. In the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, it’s often called a home altar. Basically, this is a way to create a Catholic atmosphere for prayer and devotions within the home. It’s always been important for me to have this part of my house where I can go to enter into a spirit of prayer. We don’t keep our churches bare (or shouldn’t!), so why should worshiping in the "domestic church" be any different? The home altar is for many the primary place of worshiping God in the home.
I don’t think there’s any set form for creating a home altar, although I could be wrong. I do think that Catholic home altars tend to have similar components: candles, icons, statues, and items related to particular devotions (e.g. rosaries, prayer books, etc.). Catholic altars and the surrounding areas tend also to be very "sensual." And I don’t mean that in the secular sense, but rather as containing things that stimulate and engage the senses. The engagement of the senses is a big part of the beauty of the Catholic Church and home altars frequently reflect that. So, what devotions are often done at home altars or elsewhere?
One great thing about the Catholic Church is her diversity. I don’t mean heretical dissent, but legitimate diversity of practices, customs, and devotions. Thus, there are a plethora of approved devotions and customs that one can do in the home. I am a big fan of the Liturgy of the Hours, which is a beautiful liturgy that sanctifies the rhythm of the day and follows the Church year. I also enjoy the rosary and novenas. However, there are numerous Catholic devotions and practices and everyone should find something that is spiritually enriching and edifying in his or her life.
Image of my home altar
May 31st, 2006 at 6:33 pm
The home altar, or shrine, is nothing new. They’ve been around, in one form or another, at least since the Middle Ages.
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I remember very clearly my family’s shrine to the Sacred Heart. It wasn’t much, just a bureau tucked in a little nook in a bedroom, with a picture of the Sacred Heart over it and a single votive candle that was kept burning at all times, except when we weren’t home. Today, I have a similar “bureau-shrine” in my own tiny bedroom. Since my brother got the Sacred Heart picture when my mother died, I hang a crucifix over mine.