Candles in the Catholic Church

[mommamaree]

The cool Catholic homes not only have candles, but incense too. It is not uncommon for a family to have an altar or shrine in their home.

People can have shrines in their home, but not altars, because the term altar refers to the place (often a table) where a sacrifice is made. The table upon which the sacrifice of our Lord is re-presented in the form of the Eucharist is rightly called an altar, whereas other tables used during the Mass (such as the one that may hold the Tabernacle) are not altars, but are just tables. The tables or bookshelves or cabinets in our homes that hold religious icons or scriptures or spiritual books; these places for prayer and devotion are called shrines.

 

[ConstantineTG]

People can have shrines in their home, but not altars, because the term altar refers to the place (often a table) where a sacrifice is made. The table upon which the sacrifice of our Lord is re-presented in the form of the Eucharist is rightly called an altar, whereas other tables used during the Mass (such as the one that may hold the Tabernacle) are not altars, but are just tables. The tables or bookshelves or cabinets in our homes that hold religious icons or scriptures or spiritual books; these places for prayer and devotion are called shrines.

Home altars are called altars because its a special place where prayers are offered. The term wasn’t meant to get into the techinical details of what is or whats not an altar.

 

[mommamaree]

Home altars are called altars because its a special place where prayers are offered. The term wasn’t meant to get into the techinical details of what is or whats not an altar.

Well, educate me then please. I am a new Catholic, but have long had a personality quirk where I am very interested in the etymology and accepted meanings of words. I certainly don’t mean to offend, just to be helpful, although it might not always be apparent.
So, can one rightly use the term ‘altar’ or is that an example of people using a somewhat incorrect word, but since everyone knows what they mean, then the term is accepted as appropriate?
Also, can prayers be considered sacrifices that are offered? I am not trying to get into ‘technical details’ here. I just tend to be very precise in my language.
Thanks for your help.