Making a Prayer Corner in the Home
"Christ is the Head of this House, the Unseen Guest at every meal, the Silent Listener to every conversation."
Many of us have memories of May Altars in the classroom, at home, in bed rooms, gardens, etc. Some may even remember the family Rosary on the radio, or watching Blessed Fulton Sheen on TV. At Christmas, our Nativity sets remind us of this great mystery of our faith. As Bishop Bambera remarked, perhaps now is a time to focus on "going to our room" to pray. |
A Prayer Corner can be as simple as a Crucifix hung where it is visible, or an image of the Blessed Mother with our Rosary near by. It can be an elaborate arrangement of icons or sacred images on an eastern wall of our home (the direction of the Sun's rising), or even a room set aside, almost as a chapel, really anywhere where we feel comfortable, calm, collected, and free of distraction from household duties - free to offer our heart to God, and speak with him. Again, most importantly, it is a place of prayer.
Religious Images in the Home
For some time, the presence of religious images, specifically Catholic images of Jesus, the Saints, Guardian Angels (and not just the two popular Cherubs cropped from the bottom of a painting of Our Lady) have all been on the decline. Perhaps it is because we do not want to wear our Faith on our walls. Perhaps it is because images we cherish from parents or grandparents are worn out or broken, and we can't bear to part with them. Maybe it is be because they simply are not readily available at stores anymore. Finally, maybe out of a sense of misdirected humility, we do not want to seem like we are "holier than thou" or a sort of religious fanatic. Don't be afraid to let guests know Who the invisible head of the home is - and work to make Him more "visible."
Religious Images in the Home
For some time, the presence of religious images, specifically Catholic images of Jesus, the Saints, Guardian Angels (and not just the two popular Cherubs cropped from the bottom of a painting of Our Lady) have all been on the decline. Perhaps it is because we do not want to wear our Faith on our walls. Perhaps it is because images we cherish from parents or grandparents are worn out or broken, and we can't bear to part with them. Maybe it is be because they simply are not readily available at stores anymore. Finally, maybe out of a sense of misdirected humility, we do not want to seem like we are "holier than thou" or a sort of religious fanatic. Don't be afraid to let guests know Who the invisible head of the home is - and work to make Him more "visible."