~ Capturing the contentment in everyday life ~
~ Here on Like Mother, Like Daughter ~
{pretty, happy, real}
Just so you don't think that I'm the expert little oratory expert person, I will show you my own ongoing attempts to make my prayer place in my home.
The issue is that my home is big and there are no corners to speak of, due to large windows that take up all the space, or doors (one million doors) that open up and make any little would-be corner vanish.
The pounding hoards of children who still come through here occasionally rendered my hallway prayer table impracticable, although personally I did like it. It was nixed by my younger children. Actually, they were the ones bumping into it.
There are a few vast expanses of wall. When you are all like, “I loooooove high ceilings,” just remember that no matter what you put up there, there will be a nice big blank wall above it to mock you.
So I've taken to layering, mostly.
I started out with the little crucifix, the San Damiano one, which I love because of the saints sheltering there under His arms. And I found a print of the Sacred Heart. It's a mosaic in Cardinal Burke's chapel (copied from a painting somewhere in Italy), and I have loved it ever since Cardinal Burke himself handed me a little prayer card of it. (In our book we have an appendix on the devotion to the Sacred Heart. Such a beautiful way to pray. It's just the case that most of our trouble — perhaps all — comes from not really believing that God truly loves us.)
However, I am not absolutely convinced about this particular print. It's a bit shiny and reflective… We'll see. Then I have the triptych of Christ in Glory that somehow we acquired from Russia (I mean, we didn't go there, but it got sent to us), flanked by the statue of Our Lady that Nick and Natasha gave me last Christmas and a little framed print of St. Joseph, looking patriarch-like.
The relic is of Pius X. I found it amongst a big box of trinkets and not-even-up-to-costume jewelry that I inherited from the Chief's mother's stash of many stashes. I almost just donated the box without scrutiny — there were that many things to deal with — and at the last minute decided to sort it out. Phew.
As they say on the blogs, ignore the dust/plaster bits. I'm just banging in nails and not cleaning up before taking the picture.
To the right of the Sacred Heart I have an icon of the Crucifixion and below it, Sts. Peter and Paul.
To the left, an Our Lady of Perpetual Help, also from Grandma, and already framed like that, which I'm so grateful for because I am the worst at frames. And another little icon of The Last Supper.
Those two little icons, left and right, are something I found for free at the Abbey that's near us (people just leave things for the taking). They are from Italy and they are really sweet. That's all I know about them! So glad to have come across them, because I was looking for just the objects to round off this little oratory…
… round it off for now, that is — because I think I also need two little somethings to put diagonally below the crucifix.
Here is a diagram of how I think it should be composed, with the black circles representing two little things that need to go there:
David Clayton explains, “The octagon represents the ‘eighth day’ of Creation, by which Christ instituted the new order.”
Many religious artists used the octagon in their compositions to help the viewer relate what they are seeing to heaven, to the heavenly vision.
I am thinking of angel icons… and maybe round frames (haha I can never find frames I like). And perhaps I will move out the little tea things at the very ends there. I'm sure that as I go along, I'll find things I like more and do some replacing. And it does happen that another spot in the house cries out for this particular thing, and so then I have to move it! I'll keep you posted!
Please keep me posted on your Little Oratory! Maybe you have little walls and/or actual corners — maybe you have even bigger walls than mine! Let us see how it's going! And please do visit our page there up on the menu bar and check out how things are going with everyone else. Also, don't forget the Instagram hashtag #littleoratory!
{funny}
In other news, Roxie loves to go running up in the orchard, but it's bow-and-arrow hunting season now. Last year I realized I needed to get her a collar, lest she be mistaken for a small, black-and-white deer, or a large, four-legged turkey! However, I'm too cheap to buy an official collar. So I hacked one out of a safety vest from the outlet. Sometimes we don't have a chance to take it off before she konks out.
{Don't forget to use the coupon code LIKEMOTHERLIKDAUGHTER15 to get your 15% off Minted cards — until Wednesday the 12th!}
{And tomorrow I will hope to have a post for you about doing a little procession for the Feast of St. Martin on or around November 11, his feast day!}
[inlinkz_linkup id=464408 mode=1]
Janet says
Your Little Oratory is lovely, Leila. I have the opposite problem – small rooms with very little wall space. I do have some deep windowsills that I was thinking of using but there are hanging plants in the windows over the winter when we bring all the plants inside. I’m afraid of dripping water. I’ll need to check out what the other readers are doing.
I noticed that relic of Pius X that you salvaged and it makes me wonder about how so many relics are found all around us. Last year, my brother-in-law’s very devout aunt passed away. My sister saved a box of holy cards, medals, rosaries, etc., for me since I collect religious articles. Imagine my surprise when I found a relic of St. Therese of Lisieux to whom I have a very special devotion! It looks just like that relic you have of Pius X. Where did these people get these relics? Would they even be available today?
Mrs. B. says
Janet, I have been wondering the same about relics… You can even find things on eBay! I have to wonder if everything is legitimate…
Leila says
Janet, I know! Who knows where you get them…
St. Therese! Lucky you!
I feel blessed to have the Pius X, because he particularly encouraged frequent communion, catechism, and chant. Those are the things that I love!
Michele Quigley says
Good to know I’m not the only one who keeps tweaking and reworking the prayer place. I’ve yet to find the right spot although I can at least claim having only been in this house 3 years as part of the issue. 🙂
Valerie says
Thank you for the diagram of your wall art composition. I am a visual person, and this is SO helpful. I struggle with wall picture placement. This gives me the idea to bring out my blue painter’s masking tape for some much needed guide lines.
Well, my little oratory is on the move…it seems to be drifting at the moment. I want it to be where we are, where we spend time, and yet, I want it to be in a place in my home where there is stillness and quiet.
Yes, phew!, for not donating the relic unknowingly! What a treasure!
Mrs. B. says
Hey, I’d love to find freebie icons too! 🙂
Funny how both old and new houses have the same problems for opposite reasons… The placement of our L.O. is difficult because of the awful fashion of “open floor plan” – builders seem to think we don’t need walls! (Also, don’t they know how thankless a job it is to chase a baby free to roam from “room” to “room”??) As I have a phobia for blocking windows with furniture, all the precious wall space gets filled quickly, and all is left is weird places where nothing really works: I feel guilty devoting spaces like that to the L.O. – I fear it will go neglected, even though I know it’s really up to us…
Cecilia says
I really think your little oratory is just lovely! It feels very organic to me, the colors especially. Do you know where one could find your beautiful statue of Mary and baby Jesus? You say it was a gift? It’s hard to find beautiful statues that are well made, especially well painted.
I keep looking at my little oratory (I’m staring right at it now) and I can’t help but feel something is missing! Maybe it’s the composition, it’s kind of triangular right now, if that makes sense… Too rigid? Perhaps I’ll post a pic to the link-up. My problem is actually different than yours, we have three rooms (kitchen and living are one), all with big white rental apartment walls. It’s hard to make something feel permanent and orderly and pretty that is just not! I’m feeling inspired though! Thanks! 🙂
Leila says
Cecilia, I will try to get back with a link.
Kathy@9peas says
I love your Little Oratory – I need to share photos of mine. It is lacking a table of some kind under it but rather to the side. Our living room is very tiny.
Christina says
Thanks for sharing your little oratory. I am working on mine and working on finishing the book. We live in an 80+ year old house too and it is hard to find corners for sure. I am currently setting mine up in our piano in our living room.
Kristin Wilde says
I’ve found lovely round frames from http://www.victorianframecompany.com You might try there. They specialize in round and oval frames. They have all sizes when I was looking.
Celine says
Try non-reflective glass in your Sacred Heart picture. It will make a world of difference. Any frame shop should have it.
You have created a most lovely space!
Leila says
Celine, that’s a good idea. I think non-reflective glass would really help.
Mary Lou says
Not to be so off the subject. but I have a help request. I’m up helping my oldest daughter who is 32 with her firstborn son. He is a Dr. Sears fussy baby and she has had to use a medela nipple shield from the start (this was a miracle or I don’t think she would be able to have nursed at all.) I nursed all eight of mine and I’ve not had a baby with these set of challenges … He is five weeks old and wants to nurse constantly. Poor Mom is so exhaused and the nipple shield is just part of a little reflux he is is suffering, hiccups and no sleeping and the gassiest baby I’ve ever known!. I was an old LLL leader and we have tried everything … Picked up gripe water today and I do think he’ll grow out of it, but it’s getting so trying – all the suggestions so far are just not working. He’s in mom’s arms all day and all night, no breaks and fusses through nursings.
O.k. God bless you even if you could keep baby Ethan in your prayer … Thank you for letting us write and ask …
With love, Mary Lou
Jenny says
Does she have a baby wearing device, like an Ergo or something? That may allow her to get up and move around a little more.
Leila says
Hi Mary Lou —
When a baby is under 8 weeks, it’s good to encourage the mom to completely rest and treat herself as newly post-partum and baby as a newborn — especially when encountering the neediness you describe.
I know you are helping her with meals and cleaning — see if you can get her to just not worry about anything other than holding and feeding the baby.
This particular week is crucial, because at 6 weeks baby reaches a new stage and the milk production needs to be there to meet its needs.
Make sure she is drinking a lot of water (or whatever she likes to drink — good cranberry juice with no HFCS, maybe cut with water, tea) and is eating well.
Sometimes at this point mom becomes a bit despairing that she will never do anything else, but she needs to realize that it’s early days and her baby is telling her to sit, rest, and not worry.
A baby sling, wrap, or whatever is comfy for her will also really help.
If she can hand the baby to you for 30 minutes so she can take a shower, she will feel more up to dealing with this demanding time.
Very shortly, things will even out!
Also, he may be sensitive to something she is eating. She could try cutting out dairy and see if that helps. Pay extra attention to burping him in between “sides” and also to making sure that he finishes on the breast so that he gets that last bit of milk. See my “nursing” posts and the comments for some ideas about that.
The main thing is not to project into the future where he is 18 and she is still carrying him around — the imagination can make things difficult TODAY! 🙂
Amanda says
Gosh, I love this so much! your little oratory is inspiring and I love how you shared the details of everything you put up as well as the placement! I have two places that are little oratory-ish but not one that we go to and pray before. That little space/corner I have yet to find in our new home. I have a small icon wall and a built in that has saints, holy family, Christ, and the day–to-day go-to faith books (bible, catechism, a year with the saints, Imitation of Christ, Fulfillment of all desire). I have a ways to go in the home decor dept. Little by little though with intention and prayer 🙂
Woman of the House says
Lovely icons and crucifix! Your home has an atmosphere of homey gentility. It is truly lovely!
stclementmom says
Sometimes I’m just rereading an old post of yours for fun and then BAM.
“It’s just the case that most of our trouble — perhaps all — comes from not really believing that God truly loves us.”
Sigh. You’re just a blessing.
shwell says
http://www.marthastewart.com/268602/belt-buckle-frame-how-to
Auntie Leila, here’s an idea for those small round frames you mentioned looking for in your post above