What blessed objects are kept on Vietnamese Catholic home altars and how do they function?

Question

I am looking for some information on Vietnamese Catholic home altars including Holy Family altars, Marian altars, patron saint altars,
and ancestor altars. Pictures would be awesome! What is the significance of the altars and the statues, holy cards, etc.? Are certain devotional practices held in the home with the altars as a focal point? Where are the altars located in the home and what happens to blessed objects when they are broken, old or worn-- are they thrown away?

Answer 1

It so totally depends on whose altar it is! Generally, different foods, statues, cigarettes or cigars, beer or other spirits...
Really, it depends on to whom the altar is placed or who is being prayed for...
I'm pretty sure they would never be thrown away! You must realise that, since Catholics believe in "pergatory", they will pray a lifetime for anyone who has dies, esp. "before their time" My sisters died early (age 33 days and 5 years, respectively)... my mother and father still have masses said for them. RE; throwing anything away, NO, you never do. You can burn what has been replaced, on the altar and keep the ashes there.. just do not ever toss it. Prayer cards are mass cards or burial cards... they should be the focal point per altar.

Answer 2

I'm not Vietnamese, but we have a room with a place on the wall with a crucifix, and pictures of Jesus and Mary around it. We have candles, but we are only missing a kneeler. This is just for private prayer and devotion when we are at home. The pictures are reminders of Jesus that help us to stay focused on thinking about Him while we pray. The lighting of candles or incense (although we can't do it so much now that we have toddler) is mentioned in the book of Revelation.

Answer 3

If blessed by a catholic it cannot be holy.