Author Topic: Placement of crucifixes in the home (Read 31255 times)

MariaCatherine · « **on:** April 05, 2014, 04:06:05 PM »

Where exactly have Catholics traditionally placed crucifixes in their homes? I know one place is over the head of each bed. Some have one in every room. Some make a point of placing a crucifix on an east wall, if I'm not mistaken. What about you? If you're prevented from having as many crucifixes as you'd like for some reason, where would you put them in your ideal home?

Miseremini · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2014, 04:23:53 PM »

In the olden days we always had a crucifix above doorways. This was "Our Blood of the Lamb" so to speak.
Also one in each bedroom where we were facing it when on our knees

MaterDominici · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2014, 04:37:28 PM »

We followed the very sophisticated method of placing them wherever the previous homeowner already had nails in the wall. :smile:

In the main room, we put the crucifixes over doorways and other saint pictures on lower nails. In our room, the crucifix (was) over the head of the bed (until I moved the bed over to accommodate baby needs). In the children's room, it's on the most open wall with the oldest having his own above his bed.

JohnAnthonyMarie · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2014, 05:21:27 PM »

Thought I really don't know where I developed the habit, I put crucifixes over the door inside each bedroom, and one over the front door on the inside just above the Epiphany blessing ( 20 + C + M + B + 14 ). In addition, another wherever the Rosary is prayed (like on the fireplace mantle).

holysoulsacademy · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2014, 08:45:12 PM »

East Wall

Ursus · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2014, 11:23:36 PM »

A crucifix over every door of ingress and over every bedroom door.

You can at least do a small 1" clothing lapel pin and push it right into the drywall over a door.

In addition to this the outside of your front door should be RED to symbolize the sacrifice.

Marlelar · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2014, 12:36:00 AM »

Over the windows in the main rooms as there is not room over the doors. In the bedrooms I put them where they will be seen most of the time.

Marsha

Cantarella · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2014, 01:29:38 AM »

Quote from: MaterDominici

We followed the very sophisticated method of placing them wherever the previous homeowner already had nails in the wall. :smile:

Dolores · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2014, 12:44:44 PM »

I seriously doubt that there is any universal tradition. There may be ethnic, or even family traditions, although I haven't heard of any, beyond putting a crucifix above beds.

My husband and I have one over our bed, our duaghter's crib, and above the guest bed. We have one in our family room above the window, and a painting of the Last Supper in our kitchen.

MariaCatherine · « **Reply #9 on:** April 06, 2014, 01:24:23 PM »

Quote from: Dolores

I seriously doubt that there is any universal tradition. There may be ethnic, or even family traditions, although I haven't heard of any, beyond putting a crucifix above beds.

My husband and I have one over our bed, our daughter's crib, and above the guest bed. We have one in our family room above the window, and a painting of the Last Supper in our kitchen.

Thanks. I'm interested in any traditions - ethnic, local, family - the more traditions the better! I have zero! I'm the only Catholic in my family!

Mabel · « **Reply #10 on:** April 06, 2014, 01:36:18 PM »

Ours is whatever wall space is available. We own a nice collection of Catholic art and some heirloom family portraits.

I have one in every room, except the dining room, one of the halls, and bathrooms.
our children have one in their room, it was above the bed but the layout keeps changing. They have a portable one on a stand on their dresser as well.

Sigismund · « **Reply #11 on:** April 06, 2014, 09:34:50 PM »

When my family was all under one roof we has a crucifix or an icon of the crucifixion in pretty much every room. They went over the bed in the bedrooms and wherever they would be most visible in other rooms. Now that I am living alone I have them in my bedroom and the guestrooms and the main room, as well as in a room devoted solely to prayer.

Luker · « **Reply #12 on:** April 07, 2014, 07:23:36 PM »

Quote from: MariaCatherine

Quote from: Dolores
I seriously doubt that there is any universal tradition. There may be ethnic, or even family traditions, although I haven't heard of any, beyond putting a crucifix above beds.

My husband and I have one over our bed, our daughter's crib, and above the guest bed. We have one in our family room above the window, and a painting of the Last Supper in our kitchen.

Thanks. I'm interested in any traditions - ethnic, local, family - the more traditions the better! I have zero! I'm the only Catholic in my family!

I gave you a thumbs up, I too am the only Catholic in my family (even extended). It is good to hear about these small customs, it comes with the territory if you are a cradle Catholic, but it's hard to pick these things little customs up out of a catechism if you are a convert!!

Luke

Mama ChaCha · « **Reply #13 on:** April 07, 2014, 08:00:47 PM »

Quote from: Ursus

A crucifix over every door of ingress and over every bedroom door.

You can at least do a small 1" clothing lapel pin and push it right into the drywall over a door.

In addition to this the outside of your front door should be RED to symbolize the sacrifice.

Thank you!!!! I always wondered why it was a family tradition to paint the front door red. All I ever knew was that it was supposed to let travelers know that they could take respite in a home with a red door, but beyond that I never knew why the doors were painted red.

Mama ChaCha · « **Reply #14 on:** April 07, 2014, 08:12:56 PM »

Quote from: MariaCatherine

Quote from: Dolores
I seriously doubt that there is any universal tradition. There may be ethnic, or even family traditions, although I haven't heard of any, beyond putting a crucifix above beds.

My husband and I have one over our bed, our daughter's crib, and above the guest bed. We have one in our family room above the window, and a painting of the Last Supper in our kitchen.

Thanks. I'm interested in any traditions - ethnic, local, family - the more traditions the better! I have zero! I'm the only Catholic in my family!

My hubs and I are the only Catholics in our family, but my grandparents were polish catholic. They used to eat pierogies all during lent. They also used to make some really beautiful Easter eggs that looked like they were covered with lace, kept a statue of Our Lady near the front door, a sick call crucifix over all the beds. A st. Lorenzo statue in the kitchen a picture of st. Martha in the laundry room, small saint cards all over the place, a picture of their patron saint for the year next to their table crucifix on their bureau. Rosaries everywhere there was hook or nail or push pin to hang one from, miraculous medals were always worn, as well as a st. Michael medal.
btw, if you're ever very ill, you can steep a miraculous medal in a glass of water and pray for healing, then drink the water...works a treat! Sometimes, jumping headlong into traditions is tough, but here's a link to a book about Catholic traditions for you:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/on.com/gp//ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=on.com/gp/&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwchanco-20

It seems as good a place as any to start.