Home Altar.

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marcaevans

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I would like to start looking at creating a home Altar for myself in my home, I have an idea of the items I would need but not sure where to get them from. Does anyone have any links?
 
Depend what items you want and where you live. Obviously you would need to look at places in the UK.
 
It is completely proper to have a shrine or prayer area in your home, even a small chapel. But not an altar.

We should not have an altar in our homes. Altars, by definition, are for sacrifice and our sacrifice is the mass, which can only be celebrated outside a consecrated church or oratory/chapel (ie a sacred place in canon law parlance) in normal circumstances.
Can. 932 §1. The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in a sacred place unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise; in such a case the celebration must be done in a decent place.
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§2. The eucharistic sacrifice must be carried out on a dedicated or blessed altar; outside a sacred place a suitable table can be used, always with a cloth and a corporal.
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This is likely just a problem with terminology, and granted it is a pet peeve of mine, but it does reflect a misunderstanding of the importance/purpose of the altar in a Church to say you have one in your home.
 
Marc,

I scanned your blog and see that you are new to the faith. Welcome home!

As for building a shrine in your home, it can start with a simple bookshelf or mantle. Since it appears from your blog that you still reside with your parents, you may need to build it in your own room if they are uncomfortable having it in common space. In that case, you could begin with the top of a cabinet, bookshelf or some place that will always be visible to you. (That is, not in a closet or some other place that could be closed up.) Ideally, the space should not be used of any other purpose.

Since you already have some ideas of what to put on your shrine, how about sharing them with us? I would recommend, at a minimum, a crucifix and a bottle of holy water.

As for where to obtain the items you want to place on your shrine, check for a local Catholic bookstore or gift shop. Someone at your parish may be aware of one. If there isn’t one or if it takes a while to find it, you could purchase what you need from Amazon.
 
I have home alter but my mum thinks the house looks like a church
 
Thank you for the clarification on “altar” terminology.

I have a home shrine/prayer area, that I have pictures of the saints, prayer intentions, crucifix, wall hanging of mary/jesus, holy water, candle and incense. I find it a good thing for my personal devotions, to have a place set to focus my intent with. Next to my prayer area, I also have a small bookshelf with faith/saints/rosary books too.

The crucifix’s and saint images I have around the house, recall to me ideals of my faith path.

Blessings to you in your journey.

dave
 
PeacePilgrim66 said:
Thank you for the clarification on “altar” terminology.

I have a home shrine/prayer area, that I have pictures of the saints, prayer intentions, crucifix, wall hanging of mary/jesus, holy water, candle and incense. I find it a good thing for my personal devotions, to have a place set to focus my intent with. Next to my prayer area, I also have a small bookshelf with faith/saints/rosary books too.

The crucifix’s and saint images I have around the house, recall to me ideals of my faith path.

Blessings to you in your journey.

dave
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You are welcome. And I think the shrine in the house is a great idea. It’s just a matter of terminology. Perhaps I am being a little picky.

I personally think every house should have a picture of the sacred heart of Jesus. A crucifix above every bedroom door. Most rooms should have a discreet portrait of our lady.
 
I live alone but I’m close to my parents. At the moment I have a sort of telephone stand unit in my bedroom, on this I keep a little box which holds my main Rosary and at night my miraculous medal. I also have a little pot of Holy Water, which I like to use before bed and when I wake. I also keep on here my Catholic Bible, Catechism, Rosary books and my Missal. This is in addition to other bits and pieces such as the weekly Parish newsletter so I have times for Mass, a TV schedule for EWTN and a copy of Padre Pio which I’m currently reading.

I suppose this constitutes a shrine from what you have said in reply to my original post, but I would like to expand. I’m looking to get a Crucifix, a framed picture of our Holy Mother, a framed picture of Divine Mercy, possibly a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and eventually a picture of our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
 
marcaevans said:
I live alone but I’m close to my parents. At the moment I have a sort of telephone stand unit in my bedroom, on this I keep a little box which holds my main Rosary and at night my miraculous medal. I also have a little pot of Holy Water, which I like to use before bed and when I wake. I also keep on here my Catholic Bible, Catechism, Rosary books and my Missal. This is in addition to other bits and pieces such as the weekly Parish newsletter so I have times for Mass, a TV schedule for EWTN and a copy of Padre Pio which I’m currently reading.

I suppose this constitutes a shrine from what you have said in reply to my original post, but I would like to expand. I’m looking to get a Crucifix, a framed picture of our Holy Mother, a framed picture of Divine Mercy, possibly a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and eventually a picture of our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
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👍👍
 
just a small area for it
i have a bedstand i use for mine, just a picture of christ with the crown of thorns, michael the archangel, saint patrick and a candle, and then a place to hang my rosary on the wall
 
I have a few pic on my study wall, Divine Mercy, Sacred Heart, a lovely crucifix and various books including a cracking Bible and NT Study bible. My rosary stays with me 24/7 as at bedtime it is under my pillow, at day it is in my pocket!

God Bless you all
 
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