MAKING A HOME SHRINE

The custom of the home shrine has been universal, and popular throughout all the ages of Christianity. In eastern Europe using an "Icon" for meditation is probably one of the oldest forms of a home shrine. This tradition is still being used today and icons are available through religious supply companies and in the art world.

Our Hispanic brothers and sisters bring a wonderful tradition of enshrining some "Santos" (saints) that they choose as a patron, and periodically add some holy objects to their shrine. In the American southwest this tradition is very popular, as well as Hispanic homes throughout the world.

In this Jubilee year, making a shrine in your home is a wonderful way to celebrate. Each shrine should be as unique as each person and family—your background and tradition will dictate your style. Some examples include using your family crucifix, bible or other prayer books, statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or saints that have meaning for you, photographs of your loved ones, religious tapestries, candles, flowers, fabrics that will beautify your shrine. A tabletop, wall hung shelf, niche, bedside table are all suitable places for a shrine. You might even want to incorporate your shrine in your garden. One note here: If you have children in your home, be sure to include them in the planning and care of your shrine. There will also be suggestions about how to decorate your shrine on the monthly Celebration Cards for this Jubilee year.

Post pictures or descriptions of your shrine on this webpage! Share your ideas with others!

Nancy Gardner describes her home shrine:

I had this old lamp that quit working on me, but it was real pretty. So, here is what I did. I have a nook by the staircase that doesn't have an electrical outlet anywhere near it, so having a broken lamp on a table in that corner seemed to make sense.

I attached to the lamp shade a big angel I had gotten from someone as a Christmas present. Underneath the lamp is my prettiest white hanky that has lace around the edge laid out like a table cloth. I have the Holy Family statues from my Nativity scene with the Baby Jesus (I just couldn't bring myself to pack him away this year) and two candles on each side.

While shopping, I found a beautiful red crystal Goblet with a clear stem. It just looks made to hold the Blood of Christ! And a friend gave me a pyx with an angel carved into the lid for Christmas, so I put those two objects on the outside of the Holy Family figures, all nestled on the white hanky.

I added books on the table: one by Pope John Paul II, Mother Theresa's biography, and another book called, The Jesus I Never Knew.

On the wall behind the table, I hung the crucifix the priest gave to me at my Dad's funeral, and above that, a poster of the Jordan River where I renewed my baptismal commitment on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

My shrine shows the broken light, which we were before Christ's birth, then the angel announcing Christ, hanging from the broken lamp shade and hovering over the Holy Family, and the vessels which could hold the Body and Blood of our Lord, the crucifix to represent that Christ died so we would have light, the candles (and a match) to show that now light is always available through the fire of the Holy Spirit, and the books to represent that God still moves through us and to us through others.