Making time to pray seems to be the perennial challenge of the modern Christian. It helps enormously to have a dedicated space for prayer in your home, even if the space is a very small one. 

One book, The Little Oratory, lays out a thorough explanation of why and how to set up such a prayer space or “oratory.” It’s an invaluable resource for beginners. The authors reclaim an almost lost tradition that families used for centuries to build a beautiful bridge between home and church.

The “little oratory,” or home altar, is a visible sign of spiritual awareness and devotion. It extends the Eucharistic worship of the Mass into the heart of your home, spiritually nourishing your family and preparing them to transform the world through prayer and charity. 

You don’t need much for a home prayer space. A cloth, a candle, and any religious images or books will work well. The little oratory becomes a handy “gathering place” for the religious paraphernalia that can tend to accumulate—prayer cards, rosaries, and the like.

It’s even more meaningful if your home altar contains items that Catholic artisans carefully handcrafted. Check out these 5 lovely items for a home prayer corner, along with links to small Catholic shops where you can buy them.

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Read more:A “Little Oratory” Can Build a Big Habit of Prayer

Read more:5 Ways to prioritize family prayer with little ones