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Rachel Watkins explores the value and importance of the sacramentals we display around our homes.


A walk around the internet, and even this site, will give you ideas galore about what you may want as a Catholic mom or family by way of Catholic extras. From home décor to jewelry to clothing, there are suppliers, stores, and crafters ready to supply us with all we could want.

As someone who likes seeing a crucifix in every room I enter and has a favorite image of Jesus, I am grateful for the encouragement our Church gives us for these sacramentals. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraphs 1667 and following, has a bit to say about the proper attitude towards sacramentals. We are instructed to see the value of blessings as a type of sacramental, items of popular piety such as rosaries and medals. In other words, our faith recognizes the value and importance a variety of ‘things’ have in deepening our faith.

Many of us have particular preference to a particular type of crucifix such as the San Damiano, or a love for the St. Benedict medal. We may wear a devotional scapular (did you know there are 18 approved?) or a Miraculous Medal. Each of us can be inspired by centuries of rich traditions as an outward sign of our inward faith.

And, then there’s that huge family tree of saints who can inspire us by their lives, conversions, and deaths. We are truly surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. Having an image of one of them on a bedroom wall or fireplace reminds us that we are not alone in striving to be holy.

 

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I was thinking of all this as I was doing a little bit of fall decorating—and I mean a little. No one would ever consider my home one of the Better Homes or even Gardens, but I do like seeing a bit of the seasons. As I was placing my crocheted pumpkins and apples out, I noticed a few non-traditional displays of my Catholic faith that might be worth adding to your home.

Do you have a supply of post-it notes or similar stickies? I have at least one on each of the mirrors in my home. These might contain a Scripture verse, saint’s quote, or just the ever-necessary reminder of “Jesus, I trust in You!” I’ve done the same with large index cards taped to kitchen cupboards. I need these very visible reminders for myself, but I know my children are seeing them as well. They even act as a form of sneaky evangelism to my guests.

I have a blackboard painted on the wall of the dining room where I will post the name of the saint of the day/week/month. On major feast days, my artistic daughter will have at it with beautiful chalk art. You can do the same with glass markers or even acrylic paints on windows around your home. On the six small windows that frame my front door, my postal worker and Amazon delivery driver will see the art go from flowers in the spring and summer, leaves in the fall to snowflakes in the winter—but there is always one panel dedicated to the Blessed Mother or Jesus.

 

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Being bold about declaring our faith is vital not only for ourselves but for others. #catholicmom

Being bold about declaring our faith is vital not only for ourselves but for others. I know I am encouraged when I pass another Catholic wearing a t-shirt with an illustrated image of St. Michael or a listing of Marian apparitions. I do the nod of recognition like you see Harley-Davidson drivers do as they pass on the road. Yeah, they know they’re in the cool kids club.

The Catechism reminds us:

This wisdom is a Christian humanism that radically affirms the dignity of every person as child of God, … provides reasons for joy and humor in the midst of a very hard life. (CCC 1676)

 

Yeah, life is hard but remember, we’re in the cool kids club.

 

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Copyright 2022 Rachel Watkins
Images: Canva