Home altars

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well they would need to be digital or you can have them put on a cd-rom at walmart or some other place. Then once you downloaded them to your computer, you go to www.tinypic.com . Click the upload button and choose what picture you want ( you have to remember where you saved it on your computer. Then select “website” on the resize drop down menu. Then press the upload button and copy and paste the “Forums” code. 👍
 
This would be my humble little “altar” that I constructed a few days ago. The large silver rosary was actually a gift from my priest that had been blessed by the Pope!







 
i might have to get electric candles because my mom and dad don’t like me lighting real candles!!! :mad:
 
Don’t worry, a lot of the churches I’ve been in lately have switched to electric candles! Even the Franciscan Monastery!
 
I really enjoyed seeing everyone’s various home altars and religious articles displays. Like most Catholics, maybe not so much today though, we have our crucifixes, religious pictures, ect. in rooms around the house. But like some of you, I am a very big fan of the eastern Icons. Have couple small shelves of them at this point. Of course, have the Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Weird thing, maybe not, have noticed this particular Icon in almost every church I’ve been in. Is this pretty much what others have observed at their parishes? I think really nice to see…
 
ac_claire said:
LOVE your San Damiano cross!
Who is the saint in the bottom row, far right? Looks kind of like St. Claire but that could be my eyes getting weak with old age.
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I’m glad you like the San Damiano cross. Someday I’d like to get a real one instead of an internet printout on cardstock…

The saint at the far right is Mary Magdalene. Something about her has always intrigued me, and she was the first to see Jesus resurrected.
 
I really enjoyed seeing everyone’s various home altars and religious articles displays. Like most Catholics, maybe not so much today though, we have our crucifixes, religious pictures, ect. in rooms around the house. But like some of you, I am a very big fan of the eastern Icons. Have couple small shelves of them at this point. Of course, have the Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Weird thing, maybe not, have noticed this particular Icon in almost every church I’ve been in. Is this pretty much what others have observed at their parishes? I think really nice to see…
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I know our parish has a perpetual novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and has the icon at our Lady Shrine, but I don’t know about other churches.
 
SacredHeartFan said:
i might have to get electric candles because my mom and dad don’t like me lighting real candles!!! :mad:
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What’s wrong with candles? Do you have pets that they worry may knock them over? I’ve been burning several candles in my home, leave them burning till they go out on their own, and with plants nearby (not too close, of course). Maybe they’ll agree if you only have the candles lit while you’re in their praying. My mother’s friend helps set up for Mass, and when the candles around the altar get to low to use (at Mass) she shares them with my mom. She always lights them when she’s praying, and then blows it out when she’s done.
 
latinmasslover said:
What’s wrong with candles? Do you have pets that they worry may knock them over? I’ve been burning several candles in my home, leave them burning till they go out on their own, and with plants nearby (not too close, of course). Maybe they’ll agree if you only have the candles lit while you’re in their praying. My mother’s friend helps set up for Mass, and when the candles around the altar get to low to use (at Mass) she shares them with my mom. She always lights them when she’s praying, and then blows it out when she’s done.
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I don’t know about you, but my middle school brothers would knock them over as soon as look at them (by accident of course) I mean we got a thurible and my bothers have knocked it over countless times since Christmas (While it was smoking too.) What A MESS! And guess who has to clean it up, not the boys, oh, no not them, but the girls. The boys would only make more of a mess. I am just glad that nothing flamible was close by. Like altar linen or curtains or any other type of thing. My brothers are 13 and 11 and they are not allowed to have fire without supervision.🤷
 
No offense Sacred Hear Fan,
I don’t know you, and you seem allot more mature than my brothers, but you are about the same age you said, so…🤷 😃
 
latinmasslover said:
What’s wrong with candles? Do you have pets that they worry may knock them over? I’ve been burning several candles in my home, leave them burning till they go out on their own, and with plants nearby (not too close, of course). Maybe they’ll agree if you only have the candles lit while you’re in their praying. My mother’s friend helps set up for Mass, and when the candles around the altar get to low to use (at Mass) she shares them with my mom. She always lights them when she’s praying, and then blows it out when she’s done.
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Well I have a little sister who’s not the most careful :rolleyes:
 
SacredHeartFan said:
Well I have a little sister who’s not the most careful :rolleyes:
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How blessed she is, I always wished I had an older brother. Continue to be a good example to her! My sister followed my example into paganism (I had a two year spiritual goof-up a few years back); unfortunately, she hasn’t followed my example coming out of it. Brother stayed strong though.🙂

Anyway, in that case I’d just light the candle when I was present in the room during prayer and religious studies. (if, of course, your parents will agree to that.)
 
I have always wanted an older brother too. I don’t knoe why exactly, but I always have.😃 🤷 😃
 
Unless it was an altar for at-home celebration of the Mass, I don’t believe there are any rules. But if you want time away from distractions, that’s your first thought. I agree with others, that an image of Our Lord (particularly, a Crucifix) and Our Lady are your best beginnings. If your altar space grows, I’d say: The Crucifix, Our Lady or Holy Family (please don’t forget St. Joseph), and perhaps some favorite saint of the day or month. (How about image of your patron saint or one you’re especially devoted to?)

Here’s an idea for tight spaces. Have a piece of wood cut to size in triangular shape to be placed on top of two pieces of wood (moldings) - moldings nailed to adjoining walls - (catty-corner and mine is between two windows - very close - yet it worked). If I learn how to use my camera (LOL), I will post a pic. You can do similar in several levels or buy a small curio shelf, adding images to accomodate your personal devotion. Or perhaps on a bedroom bureau, which might allow for additions like holy water font, rosary, scapulars?
 
Wow, these are all very beautiful. I am also thinking about creating a home altar.
Currently, I have a Bible that I purchased from the time of the Civil War I believe, or at least the 1800s. Its very antique looking, and looks nice. There is a red candle holder that I place a tea light in, and a Cross of the Risen Lord on top of the Bible.
The top of the Cross is shape like a “p” does anyone know what this means? I have been wondering this for a while lol.
There is also two pictures of my Pap who passed away in a picture frame with a small Cross, a Saint Benedict medal, and my Saint Christopher medal that I have to get the chain fixed for. Sometimes I add two clear candle holders that I place tea lights in around the picture frame or Bible. And sometimes I place my Rosary on the desk as well with another Crucifix There is also a small Crucifix that I have standing . As well as a Christmas Cactus and Spider Plant and a “soft light lamp.” Which I have on every night before I go to bed.
I will try to get some pictures for everyone. Thanks!
Jacob :signofcross:
 
Jacob21 said:
The top of the Cross is shape like a “p” does anyone know what this means? I have been wondering this for a while lol.
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In Christian symbolism and iconography, it is common to abbreviate the names of famous people by using the first two letters of their name in Greek. The most famous abbreviation of all is for Christ, which is symbolized by the Greek letters “Chi Rho”. This looks like a P superimposed on an X.

http://www.isymbolz.com/spiritual/crosses/cr016-chi-rho.jpg

Sometimes, this is stylized, so that the cross becomes the X, and the P is placed at the top. It gives the symbol a double meaning.

http://hal.lamar.edu/~LOKENSGALU/slides/chirho.JPG
(If you’re wondering, the other two symbols hanging from the cross are Alpha and Omega, a reference to the Bible passage where Jesus says that he is the First and the Last, the Alpha and the Omega.)
 
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