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J+M+J
The Catholic Home
The author's front yard
garden shrine
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There was a time - not so very long ago - when
you could walk down any street and easily identify the homes where Catholics
lived. In the suburbs and anywhere there was a little patch of space in
front of the house, there would be statues of the Blessed Mother or saints,
sometimes housed in a shrine. The the country, where there was more space,
you might find a Wayside Shrine with a Crucifix. Even in the cities, in
tenement buildings, you'd find an image proclaiming that a Catholic or
Christian lived there in faith.
If you entered one of these homes, there was no doubt in your mind that
you had entered a Christian home. In every room of the house you would see
reminders of the faith - a Crucifix, statues and pictures of favorite
saints, votive candles, and rosaries. |
| No so any more. In the front yard and windows, you'll find
American flags, whirlygigs that spin in the breeze, and maybe a few wooden
cutouts of cute gardeners. You can be pretty darn sure that no one blesses
themselves as they pass by these homes. Inside there will be attractive
furnishings that glitter and gleam, but it's unlikely that an image of the
Sacred Heart will take a place of honor in the center of the home, nor will
there be a Crucifix over every bed. Instead you might find a Harry Potter
poster. |
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The front yard shrine like devotional images in the home,
are rapidly disappearing from Christian America. Ask folks why and you'll
probably find that they are embarrassed to display these images - that they
don't want to offend - or that they simply find other objects to be more
important. |
| A shrine made of a bathtub |
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| Evangelism Pope John Paul II has called
for a New Evangelism in the Church - and that means us - the members of the
Body of Christ. Does this mean that we must all shout the gospel from the
rooftops? Well, some of us may be gifted in that way, but for most of us,
evangelism starts in the front yard, and with the art we display in our
homes. |
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| Remembering Who We Are Catholic art in the home also helps us to
remember who we are. It reminds us that we are here on earth to carry the
message of hope and faith - to our families - to friends - and to those we
haven't met yet. |
Interestingly enough, even President
Bush seems to have had an image of the Blessed Mother at his side during
election night. We all need reminders. |
How many times have I grown so impatient with my husband or son that I'm
about ready to let loose with a string of most unpleasant words - and then my
eyes fall on an image of Christ - and I stop in my tracks.
How often have we worried about where the funds will come to pay this bill or
that - and lifting my head from my hands, I will look upward to see the image of
my Mother, Mary - and I ask her to help us in my need.
We've had visitors in our home who have arrived for very mundane reasons - to
sell us insurance, to clean the chimney or repair the boiler. On more than one
occasion, these visitors have felt comfortable enough to open up with us and
share their worries. Then, tentatively, they have asked, "Who is that saint? I
haven't seen that since I was a child." The warm, welcoming in a home that is
obviously Christian can open the doors to many souls, and plant the tiny seed of
faith.
Catholic art in the home and garden serves so many purposes. It sustains the
culture of Christianity in a world where children believe in magic, but not
miracles. It gives solace, inspiration, and hope where there otherwise might be
none. It reminds us to give thanks to our Creator. And it reminds us of who we
are - Catholics and Christians - grateful to have been chosen. |
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Our Catholic Home |
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From time to time we are asked about our Catholic
home. We live in a tiny cottage in Long Beach, NY. It is a barrier beach
island just 7/10 mile wide at the broadest point. On the north is a bay
where we catch much of our food. To the south is the Atlantic Ocean. |
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