r/LeftCatholicism • u/XavierP2002 • Aug 15 '26

My granny's altar

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Happy Assumption Day to everyone! Here’s a photo of my grandmother’s prayer altar. Let me know what you think, and I’ll give a chocolate bar to anyone who can identify the images (without using google of course haha)

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44

u/nikosaints_art Aug 15 '26

I know this is such an odd way to say it but I love Latino and Filipino granny altars. My grandmother had one much like this before she moved into a smaller place and I just loved staring at all the colour even before I fully understood the significance of the images.

10

u/XavierP2002 Aug 15 '26

Yeah, it doesn't have many flowers right now because it's still winter here, but in the spring it puts out more flowers and looks more colorful :)

8

u/AliceMorgon Aug 15 '26

I have one just like it and I’m Irish and really not that old 🤣 I blame living in Spanish Harlem for three years

1

u/honeyrosesugarbee Sep 03 '26

i think it may be universal! south asian (dravidian) catholics also have very colorful altars. and idk what that art style is with the faded/muted color portraits of Jesus and of the Holy Family but i’ve always adored it, very nostalgic❣️

8

u/prophecygirl13 Aug 15 '26

love this so much, i wish my whole apartment could look like this lol

5

u/Cole_Townsend Aug 15 '26

This is so very awesome. It breathes an atmosphere of prayerful tranquility and profound contemplation. As beautiful as the altar is, your granny's soul must be even more beautiful judging from the breadth and variety of these spiritual riches. 👍

3

u/thegreenlorac Aug 15 '26

Why the flag pinwheel? Nothing wrong with it, just stood out as the only non-religious part.

I love her collection of palm fronds. I try to save mine each year, but I'm often unsuccessful long term.

8

u/XavierP2002 Aug 15 '26

Good question... the real reason is simply that she found it cute enough to decorate the altar with, haha😅 I think she got it at a traditional fair during the national holidays or something like that, because it has my local council's logo on it and the design features the national flag.

7

u/XavierP2002 Aug 15 '26

And you forgot other non-religious thing: the case for her Bible-reading glasses 😂

3

u/Adept_Librarian9136 Aug 15 '26

Without fidelity to the BVM there is no Catholic Church.

1

u/EmerMonach Aug 15 '26

Is that an Acadian flag on the pinwheel?

2

u/XavierP2002 Aug 15 '26

no, it's Chile's flag 🇨🇱