EPISTLES

The creation of a home altar is a beautiful witness of faith. It serves as a tangible reminder of God’s presence in our daily lives, a sacred space where families can gather to offer prayers, lift up their joys, and entrust their sorrows. It becomes a sanctuary within the home, a place of peace and communion with the Lord.

By sharing our prayer life and the images of our home altars, we strengthen one another in the journey toward holiness. We affirm that prayer is not confined to the walls of a church but is a living dialogue with God, woven into the very fabric of our lives.

As our Lord reminds us: “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6).

Francis Apo: Living Faith Through a Family Home Altar

One Catholic who lives out this call in a very tangible way is Francis Apo, a devoted husband and father in Canada.

He and his family are faithful attendees of the Traditional Latin Mass, and their home altar has become not only a place of prayer but also a symbol of their fidelity to God amidst the challenges of modern life.

Francis shares how this sacred space has shaped his family’s spiritual journey, strengthened their unity, and anchored their faith in times of trial.

His story is both personal and inspiring, offering a glimpse of how a simple home altar can bear profound witness to the Catholic faith.

Francis on Tradition, Family, and Spiritual Devotion

Epistles: What inspired you to create a prayer altar with a beautiful, traditional Catholic look in your home?

Francis: I wanted to create a prayer altar to give honor to God and to have a sacred space in our home that constantly reminds my family of His presence. A beautiful, traditional Catholic look helps foster an atmosphere of reverence and devotion, encouraging us to pray and deepen our faith daily.

Choosing Sacred Items for a Home Altar

Epistles: Can you describe the key elements of your prayer altar and their significance?

Francis: The key elements of my prayer altar were chosen to reflect the richness of the Catholic faith and to serve as a constant reminder of God’s presence in our home.

At the center and the highest part is the crucifix, an essential element of every Catholic altar, reminding us of Christ’s redeeming love and serving as a source of strength in our own life challenges.

Flanking the crucifix are statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, completing the Holy Family. I wanted them to be a model and inspiration for our own family, guiding us in faith, love, and perseverance.

On each side, I have images of two of my favorite saints: St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Thomas Aquinas. St. Augustine, known for his conversion story and deep theological insights, teaches us the power of God’s grace and the importance of seeking truth. His famous words, ‘Our hearts are restless until they rest in You,’ remind us of our ultimate longing for God.

Choosing Patron Saints for Your Home Altar

St. Thomas Aquinas, a great theologian and philosopher, teaches us that faith and reason are not opposed but work together in understanding God. His writings, especially the Summa Theologica, help deepen our knowledge of the faith. Both saints not only inspire us but also intercede for us.

There are three candles on each side, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. The rising flame and smoke represent our prayers being lifted to heaven.

At the center, enthroned, is the Holy Bible, reminding us of the importance of God’s Word. The Bible is God’s love letter to us, guiding our lives.

As St. Jerome said, ‘Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.’ Through this sacred space, my family is constantly reminded to pray, seek God’s guidance, and grow in faith together.

The Spiritual Impact of Having a Home Altar

Epistles: How has having a dedicated prayer space changed your spiritual life?

Francis: Having a dedicated prayer space has helped me to always set aside time and space for God in my daily life. It serves as a constant reminder to pause, pray, and seek His presence, no matter how busy the day gets.

This sacred space has deepened my spiritual life by fostering a habit of prayer and reflection, allowing me to grow closer to God and find peace in His presence.

Epistles: What are your favorite prayers or devotions that you regularly do here?

Francis: In my prayer space, I take a moment to pause in prayer, simply to adore God and express my love and gratitude for His blessings.

I also regularly pray the 3 O’clock Divine Mercy prayer, entrusting myself and others to God’s mercy, as well as the Rosary, meditating on the life of Christ through the intercession of the Blessed Mother.

These prayers help me stay connected to God throughout the day and deepen my faith.

Altar as a Spiritual Anchor

Epistles: Have you noticed any special graces or blessings since setting up your altar?

Francis: I can’t say that any specific grace has come just from setting up the altar itself, but I do believe that God always provides for and protects my family.

His blessings are not simply tied to having a prayer space but come from faithfully receiving the sacraments and striving to live a holy life.

The altar serves as a reminder of His presence and helps us stay rooted in prayer, but true grace comes from our relationship with Him and our efforts to follow His will.

Where to Find Sacred Items for Your Home Altar

Epistles: Where did you find or acquire the sacred items for your altar?

Francis: I purchased the crucifix and the statue of St. Joseph online. The image of Our Lady of Fatima was a meaningful gift from a friend.

For the images of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, I simply printed them on regular paper and framed them using frames from IKEA.

The glass box where the crucifix is standing, candle holders, and candles were also from IKEA, adding a simple yet beautiful touch to the altar.

The Bible, which holds a special place at the center, was a gift and has been with us for a long time, serving as a constant source of wisdom and guidance.

Guide to a Neat and Holy Home Altar

Epistles: What advice would you give to someone who wants to set up their first prayer altar?

Francis: My advice for setting up a prayer altar is to keep it neat and free from clutter, making it a dignified and sacred space.

Avoid overcrowding it with too many items—simplicity helps maintain a sense of reverence.

I store extra candles, prayer cards, and rosaries inside the cabinet under the altar to keep the space organized.

Also, I make sure that only religious items are placed on the altar, avoiding anything unrelated to God, so that it remains a place of prayer and devotion.

Daily Habits That Strengthen Faith and Spiritual Life

Epistles: How do you keep your prayer life consistent despite a busy schedule?

Francis: I’m not perfect, and I don’t follow a strict prayer schedule, but I try to incorporate prayer into my daily routine.

I pray the Rosary while driving and also attempt to pray it at bedtime, though I often fall asleep before finishing. I think that’s okay—it’s like resting in our Mother’s arms and in the presence of God.

As a family, we never fail to say grace before meals, keeping gratitude at the center of our day. Most importantly, we prioritize attending Mass every Sunday and on all Holy Days of Obligation, as it is the highest form of prayer and the source of all grace.

In addition, I practice fasting, and as a family, we abstain from meat every Friday as a devotion. This helps us unite with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and serves as a form of mortification.

I also use fasting as a means of prayer for our petitions or to intercede for others. It’s a way for me to deepen my spiritual life and offer something to God in return for His countless blessings.

Family Devotion Strengthened by the Traditional Latin Mass

Epistles: What role does the Traditional Latin Mass and traditional Catholic practices play in your home devotion?

Francis: The Traditional Latin Mass and traditional Catholic practices play a significant role in deepening my devotion and appreciation for the Catholic Faith. They help me take my spiritual life more seriously and encourage me to strive to live a holy life.

These practices foster a deeper longing for God and inspire me to pray more for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of souls. They draw me closer to Jesus, helping me fall more deeply in love with Him, and enabling me to appreciate His one, perfect sacrifice for all of us.

Above all, they strengthen my desire for what is good and holy for my family, guiding us in our faith and devotion.

Home Altar to Evangelize Visitors

Epistles: If a non-practicing Catholic visits your home and sees your altar, what do you hope they feel or take away from it?

Francis: When fellow Catholic friends and visitors see our simple home altar, they often appreciate its beauty.

If a non-practicing Catholic were to visit, I hope that the altar would plant a seed in them to rekindle their Catholic faith.

My hope is that it would inspire them to make space for God in their lives and prioritize Him, reminding them of the importance of devotion and prayer.

I pray that it sparks a desire for a deeper connection with God and a renewed commitment to their faith.