I found this picture of one of the Resistance Mass locations -- can you say "try a bit harder"?

Maybe move the Nike sneakers into another room before Mass begins -- even if it's only temporary?

Maybe I'm just thorough, or maybe I just respect the Mass, but if that were my house (i.e., if I had the exact same circuмstances as the owner of that house) I would *at least* move some of the crap and knick-knacks out of the room (what's up with the sideways cookie jar?), even if only on a temporary basis  i.e., during the Mass.

I assume there aren't many options for Mass in that location... because that house doesn't even seem to have any folding chairs! Come on, they're like $10 each at Home Depot. I got 10 used ones at a garage sale for $15.

I understand that this is the Catacombs, and that the Mass has value whatever the material circuмstances, etc. but I think we should at least try *our best* with what we have.

Let's not forget what manner of Divine Guest we are inviting into our homes...

And speaking of "the best with what we have" -- the owners of this house seem to have "ample means". One can buy a lot of statues, crucifixes, folding chairs, religious art, etc. with the price of that curio cabinet in the background (plus all its expensive contents). I can understand being poor, but I would never be simultaneously poor in religious art/sacramentals and rich in "material things". One word: Priorities.

A good Catholic will wear his Catholicism on his sleeve. It should be blatantly obvious to any visitor that you are Catholic, or there's a problem.

I think you're being a little picky. People are in different states of their interior life (and that shows in the exterior, i.e. statues), yes, even resistance supporters. Was the video taken in the winter? Is it muddy outside? Snowy? Who knows?

I think you're being a little picky. People are in different states of their interior life (and that shows in the exterior, i.e. statues), yes, even resistance supporters. Was the video taken in the winter? Is it muddy outside? Snowy? Who knows?

Yes, I realize people are at different stages. But it still affects the dispositions of those attending the Mass when the surroundings are that distracting and unsuitable for religious devotion.

Sure, we can make heroic acts of the Will to try to bring our minds counter to what the whole environment is leading us to -- but that's the very definition of swimming upstream. A good Mass setting isn't suppose to give us a good "challenge" to exercise our attention-focusing abilities.

My whole point of this thread is threefold:

1. Not all "homes" are created equal when it comes to Masses in homes.
2. Even with the same "means", a Mass setting can be more or less suitable based on the attitudes, actions, etc. of the people involved.
3. Even when Mass is going to be in a humble location like a home, one shouldn't give up completely on trying to make it as suitable as possible for the Blessed Sacrament. If the President of the U.S. were coming over, you'd put away your blasted sneakers. Why not do the same for God?

I have been building a chapel in my house.  We took a bedroom (yes, it was a sacrifice) and pulled up the carpet, and put down $150 in wood-grain laminate.  We painted the walls dark red, except for the altar wall, which we painted blue ($100).  I built an altar out of a 30" cabinet (to store linens, missals, etc) and a 60x28x1" furniture grade wood top($225).  I stained the altar with stain I had.  A local protestant church gave away old pews, I snagged a 20' and cut it to fit the room ($0).  A good-quality antique nightstand from St. Vincent's is doing service as a credence table ($10).  St.V's also provided 2 metal candlstands ($5) and cruets ($1 each).  We invested in a nice gold plated altar crucifix ($100).  

All told, about a week of work, done at odd times over a year.  We've had a few TLM's in the chapel-room, said by visiting priests who have known our family a long time.  They have all been extremely appreciative of the proper room with permanent altar.  

All for about $600.  I consider it part of my tithe.  

I'd like to buy a quality icon, and I'd like a chalice and paten, so that priests won't have to use little travel chalices.  All in due time.  


So.  Yes, it can be done, by people of average skills and means.

That's excellent.

And just think -- even if there were no Resistance (or need for one), you'd still have a great place to meditate, say the Rosary, do spiritual or other reading, teach young men to serve Mass, etc. And it's certainly a good example to visitors what you think of the holy Mass and your Faith. Dedicating a bedroom to it certainly shows your priorities.

I realize, however, that not everyone has the spare bedroom and/or skills to do this.

The point of my thread, again, was a firm but gentle reminder that we should put in some genuine effort, whatever our means, if we're going to presume to host the Holy Sacrifice in our home.

"Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."
-Hebrews 12:1

I think it is sad that this is what it comes down too, but the few still have the Mass, I hope they appreciate it for now.  

Has anyone ever seen the movie "Lilies of the Field", I will never forget how the priest offered the Mass in the back of his pick up truck.

I think you're being a little picky. People are in different states of their interior life (and that shows in the exterior, i.e. statues), yes, even resistance supporters. Was the video taken in the winter? Is it muddy outside? Snowy? Who knows?

I don't think he's being too picky, I don't think there is such a thing when it comes to this. The "stuff" around the altar does not belong there - period. He is not saying to move walls or build steps up to the altar, just show a little zeal and make the altar area as perfect as possible using whatever means you are able to.

It really is like Matthew said: "But it still affects the dispositions of those attending the Mass when the surroundings are that distracting and unsuitable for religious devotion."

It only takes a minute to thumb tack a bed sheet or blanket to the wall to cover non-Mass related items like family pictures or mirrors or etc. - you know what I mean, things that do not belong around the altar.

For example, that cabinet is very nice, but when has anyone ever seen one of those in Church, much less behind an altar? - Throw a friggen solid sheet or blanket over it because otherwise, it only serves to distract from the Mass.

It really does make a big difference and it can take very little effort.

When I first saw the first picture, I was surprised to see all the "stuff" around the altar that does not belong there. IMO, the only excuse for that would be a surprise visit by a priest who unexpectedly popped in and was pressed for time and wanted to celebrate Mass immediately, otherwise it's just plain laziness or ignorance.

I have been building a chapel in my house.  We took a bedroom (yes, it was a sacrifice) and pulled up the carpet, and put down $150 in wood-grain laminate.  We painted the walls dark red, except for the altar wall, which we painted blue ($100).  I built an altar out of a 30" cabinet (to store linens, missals, etc) and a 60x28x1" furniture grade wood top($225).  I stained the altar with stain I had.  A local protestant church gave away old pews, I snagged a 20' and cut it to fit the room ($0).  A good-quality antique nightstand from St. Vincent's is doing service as a credence table ($10).  St.V's also provided 2 metal candlstands ($5) and cruets ($1 each).  We invested in a nice gold plated altar crucifix ($100).  

All told, about a week of work, done at odd times over a year.  We've had a few TLM's in the chapel-room, said by visiting priests who have known our family a long time.  They have all been extremely appreciative of the proper room with permanent altar.  

All for about $600.  I consider it part of my tithe.  

I'd like to buy a quality icon, and I'd like a chalice and paten, so that priests won't have to use little travel chalices.  All in due time.  


So.  Yes, it can be done, by people of average skills and means.

Do you have any relics?