As the domestic extension of the church we as homemakers have an obligation to keep the faith alive in our homes. Ever since the beginning of the Catholic Church our faith has been handed down over time through sacred art. Even the early Church Fathers described the purpose of religious images as anagogic literally meaning “leading one upward.”
It seems that the Catholic homes of the past have progressed to current times often exchanging traditional items like holy water fonts, crucifixes, and altars for modern decor found at the mall. Is it much of a surprise to see how many children that grow up in these ‘modern homes’ have fallen away from their faith?
I propose that the visual environment in which we raise our children has a direct effect on their faith life as an adult.
If art and religious experience go hand-in-hand, we need create a vibrant home full of the richness of the Faith. Our homes should be welcoming and comforting to the body, mind and soul.
“As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.”
-Saint Pope John Paul II
In a series of blog posts, I will be sharing the journey of my own home of becoming more religious in decor in the next several months. I will include a full range of projects, from styling a bedside table to putting together a home altar. And because budgets can always be a project buster, I will include some ideas on how to thrift religious art, make your own, and give you tips to help decide when it is worth it to splurge.
Do you have a favorite area or piece of art in your home?
I would love to feature your home in an upcoming post!
Please comment below with your photos
or email them to
hello (at) janalinhood.com
with CATHOLIC SISTAS DECOR
in the subject line.
I can’t wait to feature readers’ homes as well!
Looking forward to this series!
I am not trying to be a stickler or snarky in any way, but I think spell check didn’t catch something. The homophone bandit has struck again. I think you meant altar not alter.
Thanks for the spell check TC! LOL. I need all the help I can get 🙂
Love adding reminders to my faith into the decoration of my home! Here are a couple of my favorites.
We always had religious art in our home growing up (50s-60s). I asked my Mom for the Sacred Heart and Holy Family framed pictures when I got married. Many years later, I bought new frames for them and was surprised to see they were just cut out of a magazine! Still beautiful to look at and they bring back fond memories of childhood.
The Marian Fathers have gorgeous Catholic art at their website and it starts around $20 (shopmercy.org)
Funny – years ago my sister asked me if I had any pictures in my home that weren’t of a religious nature. And I simply said ‘nope.’ Slowly added more beauty over time. Happy to share shots our family’s “collection” if you wish!
I can’t wait.
I’m really looking forward to this series!!
We really like our religious art from http://www.silenticon.net/
It is nice to find art that is beautiful and that you are drawn to, not just because it is religious in nature.
the religious artwork inside our home is suffering or sorrow. I wonder if there shouldn’t be a balance. could sure use more joy in our home and the world.
Can’t wait to see all of the pics! How do we share ours?
Please send images to hello (at) janalinhood.com
Thank you!
Lovely post. My home, including laundry and bathroom, have some reflection of faith that reminds me and my family of God’s presence.