Admittedly, Vietnamese people have a specific demand in spiritual life. That spiritual beauty can see at the way they set altars. Therefore, many Catholic families are very interested in the way to arrange properly the altar in the living room. You can refer to the notes in this following article.

1. Do Vietnamese Catholic put the Ancestor’s altar along with the God’s altar?

a. The importance of the God’s altar in family

For Catholic families, the altar of God is considered the central point, bringing more happiness, helping to lead people and bringing them back to God.

Depending on each family, the altar of God can place in the living room, terrace or personal room for worship. There must always have a statue of Jesus on the altar. Besides, it is possible to arrange more statues of similar sizes: image of Mother Mary, Saint Joseph or Patron Saints of family.

b. The position of the altar of Ancestor and God in Catholic families

For Catholic, besides placing the altar of God in the house as usual, Vietnamese still set up an Ancestor altar to express their devotion. This altar displays images of parents, grandparents, and other family members who have passed away. It will help their descendants can be able to remember and pray for Ancestor. Hence, it is very necessary to pay attention the arrangement properly the position of the altar.

2. Principles when designing the God’s altar of Vietnamese Catholic

a. The order of arranging altars

In Catholic, altars for Ancestor must place next to or below the altar of God in the living room, not higher than the God’s altar.

b. The worship principles

During the death anniversary, Catholic families in Vietnam can make ceremonial offerings for grandparents and parents according to local customs and it is not necessary to give up these rituals. However, some actions like burning too much votive paper or fortune-telling should be skipped. Incense burning or candle lighting on death anniversary, funeral or wedding day are still allowed. These activities show the filial piety, reverence, and gratitude to grandparents and Ancestors.

c. Items should be on the altar

The altar of the God usually sets photos, vases or aromatic oil bottles, but should not display the objects symbolizing superstition. On the altar, Vietnamese Catholic also decorate a little fresh flowers. They burn incense, lamps, candles on the altar but not to highlight than the altar of God. It is an act of educating the children and grandchildren to express their gratitude to their ancestors, grandparents, and parents. From that, they will remember God for being the source of all things, especially ours human.

3. Some notes in the arrangement of the altar

To show the respect, Vietnamese Catholic always put the altar in a solemn place and the altar is usually cleaned, kept cool and airy.

The altar of God should also design in a simple and harmonious manner, avoid setting too many images or status. Because the liturgical law teaches: do not set many images on the altar, nor put more than one image of the same Saint.

Catholic in Vietnam also note the way how to arrange the status of God, the Blessed Mother and the Saints to reflect properly the faith of family members. The statue of Jesus needs to place at the center because He is the Saint of worship. In addition, because of being human, the statue of Our Lady and other Saints are balance on both sides to honor and study their holy virtues.

The God’s altar should not put in a position that is close to the bathroom or toilet because this place is not pure and solemn. Especially, the altar have to avoid being placed at the main entrance causing noisy.

The altar usually hangs against the wall to create a firm fulcrum, and avoids leaning on the glass or window.

Thank readers for your reading! We hope that these information will be useful information for you in setting the beautiful Christian altar in your family. Besides, through this article, we also hope that you will understand more about the habits and customs of Vietnamese Catholic.

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