St Michael Medal: A Powerful Gift For Military Personnel

Military PilotMemorial Day is quickly approaching and it is important to remember that this is a day of honoring and remembering those deceased American veterans who have served our country throughout the years. St. Michael the archangel is the patron saint of soldiers and has provided protection to countless military personnel around the world.

The men and women of the military have a special connection to St. Michael the archangel. Many of them have served overseas for months and even years, away from their family, friends, and the home they love. St. Michael comforts our soldiers and guards them during those times when our loved ones are away. I am sure that many of you have family members who are in the military or have served in the past. Our troops deserve and require our support and one of the best ways to support them are Catholic military gifts which remind them of their guardian angel, such as the St. Michael medal.

St. Michael is one of the three archangels whom is remembered for battling Satan. He is the leader of the armies of angels and is responsible for having led the battle against Satan and his demons, sending them to Hell. For years many have given a St. Michael medal to their loved ones going overseas as a blessing and protection from St. Michael.  Many miracles have occurred in battle through the use of the St. Michael medal and the medal has given courage to countless soldiers throughout history. The gift of the St Michael medal to your loved one will make their trials far more bearable.

It is hard for many of us to imagine going overseas, leaving our family behind to go to a strange land, and not knowing if you will ever see them again in this life. Soldiers persevere through this uncertainty with courage and strength drawn from their mission to protect their families, from God, and from the protection of St. Michael. Consider giving your loved one a Catholic military gift and more specifically a St. Michael medal. The St Michael medal grants comfort to the families as well as strength and protection to its wearers. To those in the military: thank you for your service throughout your life and in the years to come.

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Guardian Angels and You: A Match Made In Heaven

Guardian Angel Protecting ChildrenWhat has protected you since your conception, is not made of physical matter, and was given a mission to help you attain salvation? Your Guardian Angel. To clarify, the idea that every soul has a guardian angel is not an article of faith held by the church. Nonetheless, it is a commonly held belief of great antiquity. According to newadvent.org, St. Jerome stated, “how great the soul, since each one has from his birth an angel commissioned to guard it.” One of the most important scriptural references to guardian angels is found in Hebrews 1: 14 which states, “Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” Guardian angels might not be an article of faith but one can still believe in them with confidence.

If Guardian Angels are real, then what exactly do they do? According to Aquinas, they influence our imagination and senses but not our will. A guardian angel is sent to protect our souls and help them in attaining salvation and union with God. One great way to remind us to pray for the mission of our guardian angels is through angel statues. Angel statues are unique and typically feature either an archangel such as St. Michael Statues or a guardian angel. Angel statues are beautiful and serve as a great reminder to pray for our guardian angels and their mission.

Whether or not guardian angels are real, we know that angels are real and that we ought to pray for the success of their heavenly missions. They have a very hard job as the forces of evil are always attempting to work against us. Believe it or not, there is a battle going on for every soul each day and every guardian angel is a big part of that battle. I strongly encourage anyone and everyone to consider using angel statues or angel figurines in their home to serve as a constant reminder of the work they put in every day. Angel statues and angel figurines also make great gifts for your loved one. What is your favorite angel gift and do you believe in guardian angels?

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Magnificat: A Tool For Daily Prayer

MagnificatThe Magnificat is a magazine quickly sweeping the Catholic World. The Magnificat is a daily mass companion which is second to none in its pocket-sized, easy-to-read nature. The Magnificat, according to the publisher, is a “spiritual guide” which will help you to “develop your prayer life” and to “participate in the holy Mass with greater fervor.” This magazine has proven to be each of those things and many more as well. Magnificat also offers Magnifikid and Magnificat Junior for younger people who would like to benefit from the beauty and spiritual gifts offered by the Magnificat.

The Magnificat includes a multitude of useful literature. It includes morning and evening prayers for every day based on the Liturgy of the Hours. It also includes meditations for every day written by Fathers of the Church. Moreover, The Magnificat includes essays on the lives of the saints and the complete readings for every Sunday, weekday, and feast day of the month. The Magnificat prints one issue for every month as well as a special issue for lent and one for advent. This magazine is clearly a cherished tool which could certainly change your prayer life and love of the holy Mass.

Here at the Catholic Company we offer 1-year and 2-year subscriptions of the Magnificat for the same price as the Magnificat website. We do not offer a 6-month subscription or 4-year subscription, but the Magnificat site does offer that option. This magazine encourages us to do something which is not always easy: to daily spend quality time in prayer. This magazine could clearly make a great gift for yourself or a loved one who needs encouragement to pray daily.  Or if your loved one already has a subscription to Magnificat, then perhaps you could get him or her a Magnificat leather cover which can be personalized. Do you use the Magnificat? If so, why? How has the Magnificat changed your prayer life and life with Christ?

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A Marian Garden Made in Heaven

Catholic Outdoor StatueAs a new Catholic, I’m enjoying my ‘nesting phase’—filling my home with reminders of my Christian faith.  As a Protestant, I didn’t have much of anything to look at that directed my eyes and thoughts heavenward.  I didn’t think it mattered.

Now, all of that is changing.  I’ve fully embraced the Catholic belief that it’s a good thing to use all of your senses in an everyday life of Faith,  just as all of the senses are engaged in Catholic worship.  I wanted to fill my home with elements of what I experienced at Mass.  I bought a crucifix and a Mary statue.  I found some sacred music that I liked.  I left illustrated prayer books out on an end table, and placed a Jesus icon next to a candle on my bookshelf.  I put a rosary in every room as a reminder to pray.  I didn’t pack up my nativity scene when Christmas ended.  Simple things.  Bit by bit, piece by piece, my home is starting to look like a Christian lives there.  I love that.

This nesting phase gradually moved outdoors.  I’m certainly not an avid gardener like my mother, but I do like my outdoor spaces to be pleasant and inviting . . . a nice place outside to rest, and to read or pray from time to time.  There is just something about a soft breeze or a starry night that allows the senses to move the soul heavenward.

I thought I would encourage this effect even more by creating my own Marian garden, that is, surrounding a beautiful outdoor Mary statue with lots of beautiful garden plants.  (I certainly couldn’t buy an outdoor Mary statue and leave her without any adornment!).  I got some inspiration from the gorgeous Catholic garden at my parish—overgrown flowerbeds sprinkled with a Jesus statue, a Mary statue, and a St. Francis statue.  Then I sat down to do some research on Mary gardens.

Little did I know that in addition to having a Mary garden statue, I could also choose plants for my Marian garden that had rich Catholic significance.  I discovered that during medieval times, thousands of plants and flowers were originally named after the Christian faith.  Who knew there was such a thing as Catholic plants?  Today, most of these names have been lost and replaced with other common names.  For example, bougainvilleas were once called ‘Trinitaria’ because their flowers emerge as a single three-leaf cluster.  Many plants were specifically Marian.  Begonias were known as ‘Heart of Mary’ due to their heart-shaped leaves, and baby’s breath was once called ‘Mary’s Veil’ because of its intricate, delicate white flowers.  A few names have remained in common usage, however, such as marigold (‘Mary’s Gold’) and lady slippers (‘Our Lady’s Slippers’).  I could choose from any number of these Marian garden plants to adorn my Mary statue.  With all of the variety, there was no end to the thought and creativity I could put into making my Catholic garden a special place for my home.

I was excited to also discover that my Mary Garden had already started without my realizing it.  I had a huge rosemary bush growing against the fence, and my mother had recently given me a hosta, once called an  ‘Assumption Lily’.  I was amazed when I first caught on to the reason for the name.  The plant stayed low and hugged the ground with pretty, wide green leaves.  I thought it would stay that way.  Then a tall, thin stalk emerged, eventually blooming into a spectacularly beautiful purple flower.  Ah . . . Assumption Lily . . got it!  That’s Mary all the way. Funny how the medievals knew that many simple things can be used to teach the Faith, even plants (like St. Patrick and the shamrock), something long forgotten in our day. I was pleased to already have such a meaningful plant in my Marian garden.

I also already had tons of begonias flowering big and full.  It looked like my Marian garden was all set.  I just needed a few Catholic garden items to sprinkle around, and, of course, a beautiful Mary garden statue to tie it all together.  And maybe an outdoor St. Francis statue too, since I’m also a big wildlife lover.  I added a birdfeeder and a garden cross as well.  Now my Marian garden is looking beautiful (and very Catholic!), waiting to encourage me to spontaneous prayer.

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Sacrament Spotlight: Holy Matrimony

Holy MatrimonyOf all of the Sacraments, none has been, and more than likely will continue to be, more brutalized, disturbed, and augmented than the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.  What was once done primarily in the Church is now done in the U.S. almost anywhere.  From the beach to a roadside chapel to the courts.  This means that the Church is called to ever more fully pronounce what the sacrament of Matrimony is.  Is it simply a union between two people?  Is it an attempt to be together for life?  Is it a publicity stunt?  Is it a financial decision reached for the benefit of two people and the children they may or may not have?  Today the Church must affirm and exclaim with renewed vigor what the Sacrament of Marriage really means against a culture which doesn’t seem to be capable of answering the question.

 

Here are some commonly asked questions of the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic Church.  These answers are gathered from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 

-          QUESTION:  Who authored marriage?   ANSWER:  This is a very hot question in the world. Some say that marriage is a human practice made by humans for the survival of the human race. Lumen Gentium argues that “God himself is the author of marriage.”  Furthermore, marriage is not a “purely human institution” (CCC 1603).  What does this tell us? Marriage involves more than just a man and a woman making a commitment.  It involves two people, their families, and their relationship with God.

-          QUESTION:  What is essential to marriage?  ANSWER:  The CCC plainly states: “unity, indissolubility, and openness to fertility are essential to marriage” (CCC 1664).  Marriage is between a man and woman who are united (no polygamy, or swingers, affairs, etc.) throughout all of their lives (no divorce) and have a conjugal love open to life (no birth control, contraception, etc.).

-          FOLLOW-UP Q:  Why are these three qualities essential to marriage?  ANSWER:  Unity is essential as shown by Christ’s words: “So they are no longer two, but one flesh.  Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate” (Mt. 19:6).  Christ exclaims that those married become one flesh (unity) and are not to be separated (indissoluble).  Those married must also be open to life because in children they are given a special gift which is the marriage’s crowning glory (CCC 1652).

-          QUESTION:  What is the goal of the married couple?  ANSWER:  The CCC argues that marriage is by nature “ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring” (CCC 1601).  This means that even if procreation is seemingly impossible despite openness to human life, the marriage is still valid.  I have heard it said that before you marry someone you ought to ask yourself, “Will this person bring me to Christ?”  This question essentially addresses the nature of the relationship being ordered toward the “good of the spouses” and the ultimate “good of the spouses” is eternal life in Heavenly Glory.

 

The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is a beautiful Sacrament in which two lives and families are changed forever.  I encourage you to give your loved ones who are receiving the Sacrament of Marriage Catholic wedding gifts.  Catholic wedding gifts will help your loved ones remember what is essential to their marriage and will help them toward their natural goals.  Do you have any questions about the Sacrament of marriage?  What Catholic wedding gifts do you wish you had received on your wedding day?

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May Birthstone (Emerald) Rosary

May Birthstone RosaryEmerald is one of the most famous gemstones in the world and is considered the May birthstone. Emerald has been worn and used for centuries as many have thought that it brings both intelligence and power. In fact, in ancient India beautiful emeralds can be found on treasure chests of Maharajas and Maharanis. The emerald is also thought to bring forth love as this old May birthstone poem says:

“Who first beholds the light of day

In spring’s sweet, flower month of May

And wears an Emerald all her life

Shall be a loved and a loving wife.”

Emerald is thought to bless those who wear it with promising love. Furthermore, many Christians have used the emerald to symbolize faith and hope. Emerald today is used primarily as the May birthstone. The May birthstone is a beautiful addition to jewelry and has wowed people for years. The emerald makes a great addition to rosaries as well. The rosary is one of the most popular prayers of Catholics around the world. Many pray the rosary daily as it allows them to meditate on the life of Christ, grow closer with the Blessed Mother, and center their day. Adding the May birthstone to a rosary could be the addition which draws your loved one to pray more fervently and fall in love with the Blessed Mother.

A May birthstone rosary combines the beauty of the rosary with the stunning radiance of emeralds. Your loved one born in May might benefit greatly from the gift of a May birthstone rosary. If you would like to learn more about birthstones or the rosary, please read the Birthstone Rosaries Guide.

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Catholic Gifts and making a difference

In Western society we have a beautiful tradition of gift-giving. We have numerous days on which we give gifts to one another including birthdays, religious events, religious holidays, etc. All of these occasions encourage use to be generous gift givers, especially religious events in which we can give catholic gifts. We should allow this beautiful tradition of gift-giving to encourage us to give gifts regardless of the day or event. I would argue that almost any day or time can be appropriate to give a heart-warming gift of love and consideration.

Consider that gift-giving in the U.S. is not always tied to a religious holiday or event. In fact, a great tradition exists in the U.S. of giving each other gifts regardless of the occasion. In fact, sometimes someone might simply be in great need of a catholic gift. For example, imagine the kind of impact giving a rosary, prayer card, prayer journal, or other catholic gifts might have on a friend of yours who is struggling with hopelessness or depression. Imagine the hope that you are giving that person and the love that are you are sharing with that cherished friend. Without you even being aware of it, you could be changing that friend’s entire outlook and perspective on life and their current situation.

Many years ago I attended a high school youth group retreat as a leader. While I was at the retreat one of the high school students wanted to try out spiritual prayer journaling I happened to have an unused prayer journal which I knew could help so I gave that simple gift to the student. He came to love the prayer journal and began to write in it with frequency. Years later I met up with him at Mass and he me that he had filled the entire prayer journal, and that the prayer journal transformed his prayer life and relationship with Christ. When I gave the simple gift of the prayer journal I had no clue as to the kind of effect it would have in his life, but I am glad to see that it was such a blessing to him. When one gives catholic gifts to someone in need, such as something as simple as a prayer journal, they might have just given one of the gifts which can change that loved one’s life.

Catholic gifts and Christian gifts in general need not be tied to specific gift giving holidays, but rather can be given when that special someone needs that gift the most. St. Francis Assisi is often quoted for saying “Preach the Gospel at all times, use words when necessary.” This quote reminds us that we are not able to preach the Gospel most effectively with words at all times and that sometimes simple catholic gifts can make a huge difference and are able to preach the Good News far more effectively. Catholic gifts can have an influence far beyond what we could ever imagine and I highly suggest you take the time to give a great catholic gift to a friend who is in need.

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Sacrament Spotlight: Confirmation

ConfirmationOne of the most mysterious sacraments of the Church is Confirmation.  Confirmation is unique in that it is both a Sacrament of initiation, meaning that it initiates or begins our Christian life, while at the same time it is a completion of baptismal grace (CCC 1285).  This powerful Sacrament completes a believers initiation into the Roman Catholic Church.

 

The Sacrament of Confirmation, just as any Sacrament, is multi-dimensional with a rich history.  Many Christians don’t celebrate confirmation at all.  Why does the Roman Catholic Church keep the Sacrament of Confirmation?  Why is the Sacrament separate from Baptism?  Is the Sacrament biblical?  Here are some answers from the Catechism of the Catholic Church to questions such as these.

 

-          QUESTION:  Why is the Sacrament of Confirmation conferred apart from Baptism?  ANSWER:  Originally, Confirmation and Baptism were conferred as a “double Sacrament” according to St. Cyprian (CCC 1290).  In the Eastern Church they continue to confer them together. The West, however, could not confer them together due to “multiplication of infant baptisms all through the year, the increase of rural parishes, and the growth of dioceses often prevented the bishop from being present at all baptismal celebrations” (CCC 1290).

-          QUESTION:  Why can’t the Sacrament of Confirmation be repeated?  ANSWER:  Like Baptism, in Confirmation one receives an “indelible spiritual mark” on the soul (CCC 1304).  This mark can never be removed or repeated.  For this reason the Sacrament of Confirmation cannot be repeated.

-          QUESTION:  Who can receive this Sacrament?  Anyone who has been baptized can receive the Sacrament, and preferably once they have attained the “age of discretion” (CCC 1307).  However, if someone is in danger of death and have not yet been confirmed then they ought to be. One must also be in a state of grace to receive the Sacrament (CCC 1310).

-          QUESTION:  Is there a biblical origin to the Sacrament of Confirmation?  ANSWER:  Yes.  The Catechism points to Acts 8:14-17 in which some disciples came to Peter and John after baptism to receive the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands (CCC 1315).

 

I hope these answers cleared up some of your questions about the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Confirmation is an important sacrament which embarks the Christian on their new life in the Holy Spirit.  If you have a loved one who is to be confirmed, then consider giving them a Confirmation gift to benefit them for life.  It could be something as simple as a Confirmation photo frame to a beautiful Confirmation rosary.  By giving your loved one a Confirmation gift they will be reminded of their Confirmation and of the fruits the Holy Spirit has given them!  What questions do you have, if any, about Confirmation?

 

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Angel Statues + Garden = Contemplative Zone

Praying Angel Garden Statue What percentage of Americans do you think garden? 25%? 50%? Actually, according to the 2000 Census, 61% of Americans garden. If that percentage holds true today, then over 186 million people garden in the United States. Gardens are a great addition to any home. Gardening allows one to participate in the creation of life, surround oneself with God’s creation, and sometimes eat healthy, organic, and natural foods. Gardening takes hard work and effort which is usually fulfilling and soothing.

According to an article on health.msn.com entitled “4 Suprising Health Benefits of Gardening,” gardening provides numerous benefits one might not expect. These benefits include greater satisfaction in life and better sleep. But I think their are certain benefits unique to having a garden with religious statues. At first it was odd to me to see religious statues in a garden, whether they were angel statues or St. Francis of Assisi statues. Then I realized that having angel statues or any sort of Christian statues in gardens added a whole new dimension to them. Walking through gardens with angel statues reminds us of an important lesson.

That important lesson is that God dwells in his creation. Any kind of garden reminds us of the beauty of life and the gift of life given by God.  Having angel statues in a garden simply brings these thoughts more to mind, at least for myself. For me, walking through a garden with religious statues is a sort of spiritual experience. I tend to begin to contemplate the beauty of God’s creation and hand in our lives.

One of the first of these experiences for me was walking through a garden at a Missionaries of the Poor monastery in Jamaica. Their garden was beautiful due to both the stunning angel and Mary statues as well as unique plants. Walking through the garden one couldn’t help but simply be in awe. This garden wowed all of us on the mission trip and inspired us to bring that style of gardening back home to the states. Do you garden? What kind of statues do you like in your garden?

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Saint Florian the Master of Fire and Water

St. FlorianSaint Florian is one of the most courageous and fearless saints to have lived. He lived in Rome during the third century which featured one of the most savage and ferocious persecuters of Christians of all-time known as, Emperor Diocletian. Saint Florian was a Roman officer in modern Austria, military administrator of Noricum, and a closet Christian. As a closet Christian, he “neglected” to enforce the anti-Christian laws in Noricum which was eventually brought to the attention of higher Roman officials. Aquilinus investigated Florian by ordering to execute a group of Christians and sacrifice to the pagan Roman gods.

St. Florian REFUSED to do so and therefore was:

  • 1) scourged with clubs and spikes . . . twice. 2)  flayed alive. 3) Had a stone tied around his neck and dropped in the river

Little Known Facts/Legends of St. Florian:

  • He is the patron of firefighters because: FACT – He he was the leader of an elite Roman fire brigade. LEGEND – He prayed over a burning town and poured one bucket of water which extinguished the entire fire and saved the town.

  • His remains were: FACT – found by local Christians whom transported the remains to an Augustinian monastery near Lorch. LEGEND – A pious woman named Valeria found his body and had a vision in which St. Florian told her he wanted a proper burial. And therefore, she brought him to the Augustinian monastery near Lorch.

  • LEGEND: Saint Florian cheerfully accepted his beatings and even challenged those building the funeral pyre to build it higher and higher in order that his soul might ascend even faster to God.

  • Saint Florian is the patron of Austria and Poland because some of his relics were moved to those locations.

  • Saint Florian’s feast day is May 4th.

  • He is usually presented either pouring the water over the fire,especially in St. Florian Medals, as a boy with a millstone around his neck, or as a man being beaten.

 The Rarity of St. Florian

  • One cannot help that notice he accepted incredible suffering and torture for his faith.

  • He lived his faith despite the dangers and did so undetected by pagan authorities for quite some time which certainly saved countless Christian lives.

  • St. Florian had such a strong faith that he was able to smile in the face of death and unimaginable suffering.

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