Create Your Own Sacred Space This November

CWM
Oct 21
2 min read

November is a special month in the Church; it’s a time to honor the saints who inspire us and remember the souls who have gone before us. Many Catholics are finding ways to create special places in their homes for prayer and reflection. One great way to bring the celebration of saints into your home is to dedicate some time and a place to do so. A DIY altar can be a beautiful way to create a sacred space for connection with the communion of saints, to pray and to listen. Could this month be a call to action for you, and maybe your family, to connect with the communion of saints?

Why Have a Home Altar?

Home altars are a simple yet powerful way to make faith tangible in your everyday life. They don’t need to be complicated or fancy. Even a small corner, shelf, or table can become a holy spot where you pause, pray, and reflect on the lives of the saints and your loved ones who have passed on.

Simple Altar Setup for All Souls Day
Images or statues of saints: Pick your favorite saints or those who inspire your family.

Candles: Representing the light of Christ, they add warmth and focus to your prayers.

Photos of loved ones: To remember family and friends who have died.

Flowers or natural elements: Marigolds, autumn leaves, or seasonal blooms can bring beauty and life to your altar.

Prayer cards or a Bible: Keep spiritual resources handy for reading and meditation.

How to Set It Up

Choose your space: Find a quiet, visible spot in your home. It could be a small table, a bookshelf, or even a windowsill.
Layer your items: Place a cloth or runner as a base, then arrange a Crucifix, candles, images, and flowers.
Add personal touches: Include anything meaningful—rosaries, small crosses, handwritten prayers, or notes for your loved ones.
Light and pray: Light your candles during All Saints Day (Nov 1) and All Souls Day (Nov 2). Spend a few moments in prayer, remembering the saints’ examples, and lift up the souls in purgatory.

A Few Extra Ideas

Create a saint-of-the-day corner, changing the focus daily during November.
Encourage children to draw or write prayers for the souls in purgatory and add them to the altar.
Share photos of your home altar on social media to inspire friends and family.

Your DIY home altar doesn’t have to be perfect. What matters is that the love, intention, and prayer that go into your sacred space are a reminder to pray, reflect and acknowledge God's mercy and goodness in a special. This is beautiful way to make one of our Catholic traditions come alive in your home and your heart. God bless.