The home— as a place of love, rest, prayer, entertainment, and much more— presents us an opportunity to express the life that God has given us no matter the size, shape, or phase that our current dwelling place represents.

By Molly Franzonello

So many of us are transient, moving every couple of years. It is easy to think that a true ‘home’ doesn’t exist, or at least, not yet. I have never considered myself a homebody, don’t own a home, and for the past six years haven’t lived in the same single place for more than a year. But as I read Theology of the Home I saw in it the tools to make any space one of prayer/spiritual growth, comfort, and hospitality. It is a recipe we all long for in a place where we gather and rest. Rather than tips and trends, Theology of Home considers the perennial details that can be integrated into virtually any home, such as light, memory, comfort, hospitality, and prayer. Here is how I’ve intentionally started to think of these details in my own temporary housing.

Light

“Light clarifies things, helps us see what’s really there, and shows us where to go.” (TOH, 67)

In my first and only studio, the 400-something square foot apartment, I picked out a large lantern as decoration, and my dad worked very hard to ensure it hung evenly with the ridiculously dense partially concrete walls. He passed away that same year, and the lantern became a metaphor for the illumination of spiritual guidance showing the way forward.

Building

“The material, as found in icons, art, and statuary, can help us go deeper, to access the infinite.” (TOH, 56) This is, in a sense, a rule of thumb for me now: to keep an item, I expect it to transport me to a valued and cherished memory. Printing photos of loved ones that have passed before us and other key landmarks of joy have been a good way to celebrate life. A darling navy-blue patterned plate set and a set of pale blue pitchers and serving dishes have passed this high bar as well. They were purchased for me by my grandfather during one of his favorite hobbies: looking at the goodies from estate sales with his grandchildren.

Comfort and Hospitality

Now that I’m married, my attention has been drawn more to the ‘heart of the home’ and making our one-bedroom space in Washington D.C. more comfortable and inviting. We often welcome small groups of guests with our favorites: charcuterie and cocktails or wine. We draw lots of our food inspiration from the memory of our honeymoon in southern France where hors d'oeuvre paired with local wine were received with delight.

We also feature more religious art in our shared space than I did before. Many lovely religious-themed items were gifted to us at our wedding and they often prompt conversation with guests.

Mary, The Homemaker

Years ago, after a negative au pair experience abroad in an unwelcoming home, I started more of a discernment prayer/process for my moves. Through novenas for the intentions of a housing situation, jobs and romantic relationships, although I didn’t notice at the time, I was quite literally inviting Mary into my home, asking her to help me surrender as fully as she did throughout her life.

I no longer carry naive ideas or expectations of how a life is ‘should’ be built and I feel liberated from other people’s ideas about beauty. Finding Christ in the ordinary is the fullest mission of our lives, and our home is where His heart is. Over time, I’m learning to hear what speaks to me in the elements of the home. I veer towards simple aesthetics with special attention drawn our entertaining spaces— the patio and living room. My husband and I talk regularly about what slice of the budget we should spend on curating these spaces. And though we dream of living larger, we also have come to a place of gratitude for our gifts as they are, and discern our next steps daily.

Inviting Christ in the heart of the home takes an intentionality that can seem difficult, but Theology of the Home provides tools to help us foster our connectedness with our faith. The home— as a place of love, rest, prayer, entertainment, and much more— presents us an opportunity to express the life that God has given us no matter the size, shape, or phase that our current dwelling place represents.