Home is the Domestic Church
Even in our busy lives, we spend many hours within our homes. Our home, by what we choose to place within it, can help us live out our lives as the domestic church.
• STEP ONE : Crucifixes •
A very simple way to turn your home into a domestic church is to place a crucifix in a prominent place, perhaps somewhere near the front door. When you leave or enter the house you can all look at the crucifix and remind yourself of Jesus’ sacrifice for you.
• STEP TWO: Pictures & Statues •
Religious pictures and statues are also a great way to make your home into a domestic church. As well as images of Jesus and Our Lady you could perhaps find pictures or statues of the family’s Saint.
• STEP THREE: Prayer Table •
All of us can become better at being thankful and seeing God’s goodness in our day.
As a family, you can help each other try to be more thankful. Perhaps during your meal together take it in turns to say one thing you are thankful for. As parents, try and help your little ones put into words what they are trying to say. Try and stay focused and avoid distractions such as a television or radio playing during mealtimes.
• STEP FOUR: Adoration •
Eucharistic adoration is the practice of praying before Jesus in the form of the Eucharistic host. The host may be exposed in a special vessel known as a monstrance or reserved in a tabernacle.
Recalling Jesus’ command to “let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14), it is great to bring your little ones to Eucharistic adoration. Perhaps don’t bring noisy toys to adoration; however, you might bring religious picture books or crayons and religious colouring sheets.
• STEP FIVE: Family Rosary •
The Rosary is a beautiful prayer that can be prayed with the whole family, from the youngest to the oldest. However, it can feel daunting to start this with your little-ones.
Begin with placing rosaries in prominent places in your home, use activities to help them remember parts of the prayers and start slowly – do not expect them to be able to pray the whole rosary in one sitting within the first week of praying it together!