Miraculous Medal Rosary Bracelet

The focal point of this bracelet are the 8mm Bohemian glass beads from Czechoslovakia. These transparent faceted beads are a beautiful rosaline color. Rosaline is a combination of peach and pale rose color. I've tried my best to capture it in the photos, but the pics don't show as much of the rose color as would like. Accenting the Avé beads are antiqued brass spacers. The Pater bead is a handmade bronze bead from Bali. The Miraculous Medal, the crucifix and the toggle clasp are antiqued brass. This bracelet would make a wonderful gift or would be great to keep for yourself. Please click here to learn more about this bracelet and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries to see more of my rosary bracelets and unbreakable rosaries.

Mother of Sorrows Rosary with Labradorite and Onyx

The focal point of this rosary is the contemporary style center honoring Our Mother of Sorrows. This stylized center accentuates our Blessed Mother's sorrow. The reverse side of the center, honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Complimenting this center is the contemporary crucifix. Both pieces are made of silver colored metal. The Pater beads are 10mm black Labradorite beads. These beads have nice fire when held under bright light. the 6mm black onyx Hail Mary beads are a nice match for the labradorite Pater beads.  Please click here to learn more about this rosary and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries, to see more of my wire wrapped, unbreakable rosaries.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe is a title of the Virgin Mary associated with a celebrated pictorial image housed in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Official Catholic accounts state that on the morning of December 9, 1531, Juan Diego saw an apparition of a young girl at the Hill of Tepeyac, near Mexico City. Speaking to him in his native language of Nahuatl, the girl asked that a church be built at that site in her honor.  From her words, Juan Diego recognized the girl as the Virgin Mary.

Diego told his story to the Spanish Archbishop of Mexico City, Fray Juan de Zumárraga, who instructed him to return to Tepeyac Hill, and ask the "lady" for a miraculous sign to prove her identity. The first sign was the Virgin healing Juan's uncle. The Virgin told Juan Diego to gather flowers from the top of Tepeyac Hill.  Although December was very late in the growing season for flowers to bloom, Juan Diego found Castilian roses, not native to Mexico, on the normally barren hilltop. The Virgin arranged these in his peasant cloak or tilma. When Juan Diego opened his cloak before Bishop Zumárraga on December 12, the flowers fell to the floor, and on the fabric was the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe.


Juan Diego was canonized in 2002, and his tilma is displayed in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the most visited Marian shrine in the world.

The feast day for Our Lady of Guadalupe is December 12 because Pope Leo XIII granted a Canonical Coronation towards the image on that date in 1895   The representation of the Virgin on the tilma is Mexico’s most popular religious and cultural image, and under this title the Virgin has been acclaimed as "Queen of Mexico", "Patroness of the Americas" (1945), "Empress of Latin America", and "Protectress of Unborn Children" (the latter two given by Pope John Paul II in 1999). 

Stations of the Cross Pocket Chaplet

This handsome pocket version of the Stations of the Cross chaplet features 14 10mm black onyx beads. The crucifix is a Stations of the Cross crucifix. The front features the four gospels on the ends of each arm of the cross with a black inlay in the center. The back of the crucifix depicts each of the 14 Stations with an image of the Eucharist in the center. The front of the medal honors the Ecce Homo. The reverse side of the medal honors the Mater Dolorosa.

The 14 beads represents each of the 14 Stations of the Cross. It is much shorter and easier to carry with you than the larger version of the chaplet.  Please click here to learn more about this chaplet and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries to see more of my wire wrapped rosaries and chaplets.

Natural Garnet Communion Rosary in Solid Brass

The beads in this vintage Baroque style rosary are 8mm natural garnets. These beads appear black in dim light and have a beautiful deep maroon color in bright light. Many of the beads have inclusions which give them a subtly variegated appearance and also give sudden glints of light. Contrasting the garnets are large 12mm ivory colored Swarovski crystal pearls. Swarovski pearls are some of the best quality simulated pearls on the market. The center of a Swarovski pearl is crystal which is covered by 4 layers of nacre ( pearly coating). Accenting the pearls are 4mm ruby jade beads. The center and crucifix are both solid brass which has been antiqued.  Please click here to learn more about this rosary and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries, to view more of my wire wrapped rosaries. 

Clear Crackle Quartz Bracelet with Miraculous Medal

The Ave beads in this bracelet are 9mm clear crackle quartz. These beads sparkle and dance in the light. When the sun hits them they refract the light and show beautiful little spectrums. Accenting these beads is the silver, metalized Lucite Pater bead. The spacers, Miraculous Medal, crucifix and toggle clasp are silver colored metal. This bracelet would make a wonderful gift.  Please click here to learn more about this rosary bracelet and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries to see more of my rosary bracelets and unbreakable rosaries.

Mary Undoer of Knots Rosary Pale Blue Amazonite

Mary, the Undoer of knots is reported to be Pope Francis' favorite aspect of Our Blessed Mother.  The Ave beads in this rosary are 8mm pale blue Amazonite. These beads are slightly translucent which gives them a light appearance. Some of the beads have slight imperfections, this is to be expected with natural stone beads. The Pater beads are jasper from Madagascar. They are a light gray color with light blue mixed in. This rosary would make a wonderful gift. It would also be great to keep for yourself. The center and the crucifix are both silver colored metal.  Please click here to learn more about this rosary and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries, to see more of my unbreakable, wire wrapped rosaries. 

Mary Undoer of Knots

To show us the mission granted to the Virgin Mary by Her Son, an unknown artist painted Mary Undoer of Knots with great grace. Since 1700, his painting has been venerated in the Church of St. Peter in Perlack, Germany. It was originally inspired by a meditation of Saint Irenaeus (Bishop of Lyon and martyred in 202) based on the parallel made by Saint Paul between Adam and Christ. Saint Irenaeus, in turn, made a comparison between Eve and Mary, saying:

"Eve, by her disobedience, tied the knot of disgrace for the human race; whereas Mary, by her obedience, undid it".

But what are these knots? They are the problems and struggles we face for which we do not see any solution. Knots of discord in your family, lack of understanding between parents and children, disrespect, violence, the knots of deep hurts between husband and wife, the absence of peace and joy at home. They are also the knots of anguish and despair of separated couples, the dissolution of the family, the knots of a drug addict son or daughter, sick or separated from home or God, knots of alcoholism, the practice of abortion, depression, unemployment, fear, solitude…Ah, the knots of our life! How they suffocate the soul, beat us down and betray the heart’s joy and separate us from God.

The devotion to Mary Undoer of Knots is not new. The devotion is more than 300 years old. However, it is not based on an apparition of the Virgin Mary to a person, or persons, as in Lourdes or Fatima, but rather it is a revered devotion as many others in the Catholic Church, despite Virgin Mary is only one. The devotion to Mary Undoer of Knots is becoming more and more known in many different countries, and the Novena has been printed in 19 languages, as well as in Braille. In the last 4 years, the Sanctuary of Mary Undoer of Knots has welcomed more than 600,000 pilgrims from all over the world. At Mass, there is a multitude of people: the young, the elderly, rich and poor, all asking for help from Our Lady to simplify their lives.

Sanctuary where Mary Undoer of Knots is venerated Devotes on field Mass in honor to Mary Undoer of Knots

Day after day, more and more Christians kneel to pray to Her as soon as they meet the Mother of the Fair Love.
Many families have become reconciled! Many diseases have been healed! Many spouses have returned to the Church! Many jobs have been given! Many conversions have taken place! Many Catholics have been on their knees praying and giving thanks for graces received from our sweet Mother.

We are living in difficult times where the problems, the knots, the temptations, the lack of peace and the evils are all around us. Like a roaring lion your adversary, the devil, prowls around, looking for someone to devour.
(1 Peter 5,8)

For that reason, Mary Who undoes the knots, Who was chosen by God to crush the evil with Her feet, comes to us to reveal Herself. She comes to provide jobs, good health, to reconcile families, because She wants to undo the knots of our sins which dominate our lives, so that - as sons of the King - we can receive the promises reserved for us from eternity. She comes with promises of victory, peace, blessings and reconciliation.

Then, free from our knots – filled with happiness, we can be a testimony of the Divine Power in this world, like pieces of God’s heart or small bottles of perfume exhaling mercy and love to our neighbor. Like ambassador of Jesus Christ and the Virgin of the fair love, we can rescue those who cry without any consolation, those who are lonely, tied with knots, who have no God, no Father nor Mother.

Mother of the Rising Sun, Immaculate, our Advocate, Helper in moments of affliction, Mother of God and made by Him our Mother, this is how Mary, Undoer of Knots is presented. Above all, She comes as the Queen of Mercy, the one who knows all about us, who has compassion for us and hurries to rescue us, praying for each one of us to Her beloved Jesus.

The information in this post was taken entirely from this website  http://www.maryundoerofknots.com/history.htm

Irish Rosary Honoring Our Lady of Knock

The Avé beads in this rosary are 8mm multicolored fancy agate. The colors range from many shades of green accented by a few rust colored beads. The Pater beads are 12mm white magnesite. Magnesite is often advertised as white turquoise which it is not. However, it is a beautiful stone in and of itself. Because of the size and weight of the beads, this is a nice substantial rosary which has a nice feel in your hands.  Please click here to learn more about this rosary and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries, to see more of my unbreakable rosaries.

Our Lady of Knock

Altar Sculpture at Knock based on accounts of the Apparition

As is the case with so many of her apparitions, the people of  County Mayo in Ireland where that apparition occured was in great turmoil.   There had been many famines and forced evictions imposed on a population that was already suffering.  On the evening of August 21, 1879, at about 8 o'clock in the evening, fifteen people, whose ages ranged from five years to seventy-five and included men, women, teenagers and children, witnessed what they claimed was an apparition of Our Lady, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Evangelist at the south gable end of the local small parish church, the Church of Saint John the Baptist. Behind them and a little to the left of Saint John was a plain altar. On the altar was a cross and a lamb

The Blessed Virgin Mary was described as being beautiful, standing a few feet above the ground. She wore a white cloak, hanging in full folds and fastened at the neck. The crown appeared of a golden brightness, of a deeper hue, than the striking whiteness of the robe she wore; the upper parts of the crown appeared to be a series of sparkles, or glittering crosses. She was described as "deep in prayer", with her eyes raised to heaven, her hands raised to the shoulders or a little higher, the palms inclined slightly to the shoulders. Bridget Trench "went in immediately to kiss, as I thought, the feet of the Blessed Virgin; but I felt nothing in the embrace but the wall, and I wondered why I could not feel with my hands the figures which I had so plainly and so distinctly seen". 

 

 

Saint Joseph, also wearing white robes, stood on the Virgin's right hand. His head was bent forward from the shoulders towards the Blessed Virgin. John the Evangelist stood to the left of the Blessed Virgin. He was dressed in a long robe and wore a mitre. He was partly turned away from the other figures. He appeared to be preaching and he held open a large book in his left hand. To the left of St. John was an altar with a lamb on it with a cross standing on the altar behind the lamb




Those who witnessed the apparition stood in the pouring rain for up to two hours reciting the Rosary, a traditional Catholic prayer. When the apparition began there was good light, but although it then became very dark, witnesses could still see the figures very clearly - they appeared to be the color of a bright whitish light. The apparition did not flicker or move in any way. The witnesses reported that the ground around the figures remained completely dry during the apparition although the wind was blowing from the south. Afterwards, however the ground at the gable became wet and the gable dark

Our Lady of Knock is one of the few apparitions where Our Blessed Mother remained silent.  She remained in an attitude of prayer during the entire apparation.   It is my belief that perhaps she was trying to encourage her people to pray and to teach them the language of silence.   For it is only in silence that we are able to perceive the Lord and "hear" the language of His love for us.

Most of the contents of this post were taking directly from Wikipedia  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knock_Shrine and some of the information came from Mary Pages http://www.marypages.com/Knock.htm    The last paragraph is my own original thinking as to why Our Blessed Mother chose not to speak at Knock.

Surrender to Holiness

On the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, I was thinking about Lent and I asked the Lord what kind of observance I should do for Lent.   The thought went thru my mind: "Surrender to holiness".  As I wondered what this might mean, my first impression was that it meant: "Let go and let God!"  This seemed fairly obvious to me and, it can mean just that.   In truth, it can be summed up in this well written article on Wikipedia:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrender_%28spirituality_and_psychology%29     As I felt drawn to ponder the phrase further,  I began to think there might a much deeper and more profound meaning of the phrase for my life. 

My first thought was to define the word "Surrender".   We hear it all the time in our society.   We have bakeries named "Sweet Surrender", songs titled "Sweet Surrender".  Actually, the term "Sweet Surrender"  seems to be just about everywhere.   Truly, it is over used.   So, I turned to my dear friend Miriam  (Webster that is) for a definition.   When I read the definition of Surrender, I realized there is nothing sweet about it.   According to the dictionary,  the definition of surrender is:

1:  to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another
2:  to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner

Surrender is not only unpleasant, it is often painful.   I mean, who wants to give anything up to another?   We humans tend to be a rather possessive lot, not easily letting go of the things that are important to us, especially if it means giving up our freedom or our own way of doing things.   Yet, surrender is what I feel called to do. 

Then  my next question was:  "Surrender to what?"   My first thought was "Surrender to God...of course!".   But that isn't the phrase that kept going thru my head.   The phrase I hear over and over is "Surrender to holiness". 

I can honestly tell you I thought I knew what holiness is.   But, again, I felt compelled to look the definition up.   It isn't at all what I thought it meant.   I thought "holiness" meant being very good and living a life for God...living a very good life for God.    However, according to this article, the concept of "good" doesn't enter into the definition of holiness at all.   http://www.tektonics.org/whatis/whatholy.php    According to the author of this article, "good" is what we become as a result of being holy.  I was surprised. 

It appears the definition of "holy" or "holiness" means to be set apart.   I never knew that.   At first sight, the idea of being set apart for God brings great joy...and well it should.   It means that, as Christians, we have been chosen by Him to be His people.   As the prophet Ezekiel said  "You will be my people and I will be your God."    Those words have always brought comfort to me.

As we are set apart by God, for God, we become more like God, and begin to take on more and more of HIs attributes.   As we take on more of His attributes, He becomes more and more a part of our identity.  Eventually, the more we surrender to being set apart, to being holy, the more of our selves we are able to surrender to Him, and the more of Himself He surrenders to us.  In the end, we become completely  His and He becomes completely ours.  Our identities become  inextricably  entwined with His.   We have become one in Him. 

Yet, as Lent has progressed, I've learned that being set apart is often hard and painful.   It means we often don't  fit in with the crowd.    It doesn't matter whether the group we want to belong to is in a social situation, or a work situation or any other situation we may find ourselves in.   It means that we can not truly be a part of the group, that we can not always go along with the crowd.   It means  there are times when we have to deliberately choose to do or say something that is different from the accepted norms.   To do so means to risk ridicule, criticism or even rejection.   Yet this is what we must do if we are going to be true  to our identity as God's holy people and also true to ourselves.

This is a difficult thing for me.   I have always wanted to be a part of "the group".   I've always wanted to "belong" and yet,  somehow, I have always felt like I don't quite fit in.   Perhaps this  is as it should be.  Perhaps this is the Lord's way of reminding me that I really shouldn't "fit in" with everyone else.   Perhaps it is a reminder for me to keep my eyes focused on Him instead of on everyone and everything around me.

Being set apart also means we can not allow ourselves to be swept up by the tidal wave of consumerism and pseudo individualism which defines our society .   We can not allow ourselves to be seduced into believing that we have to have the latest gadget, clothes, car, etc.  if we want to be individuals.  In truth, the forces which control our society are leading us to become carbon copies of each other.  We have become a society of clones where no one is really very different from anyone else.  To surrender to holiness means that we can not surrender to the world.  We are to be in this world, but not of it.

If we do surrender to the call of our society to become like everyone  else,  then we will no longer be set apart, identifiable as God's people.   We will not only loose our holiness, we will loose our identity.  We will become like many of the Jews in the Babylonian captivity.  When King Cyrus finally set the Jews free and allowed them to go back to Jerusalem, many of them decided to stay right where they were...in Babylon.  Their Babylonian identity had become so strong that they lost their identity as Jews.  They had lost their holiness....they were no longer set apart.

If we surrender to being set apart, we will begin to grow in the Lord.   We will become the individuals we were meant to be.  If we persevere in our journey, we will become identifiable as God's people in the eyes of the world.   We will bear His light to the rest of mankind and to each other.   We will, in fact, have become holy.

Mother's Day Rosary with Blue Agate and Handmade Lampwork Beads

The show stealers in this rosary are the 12mm by 11 handmade lampwork Pater beads. These striking beads have a silver foil center encased in clear crystal with pink flower and green leaves on the surface of the bead. Because they are handmade, each of the Pater beads is slightly different from the others. Most of the differences can be seen in the size, shape and color of the pink roses. Accenting these beads are silver colored bead caps. The Ave beads are light blue 8mm faceted agate. These are complimented by 3mm bead caps and a swirl of silver plated wire going up the side. The crucifix and center are silver plated metal. The center honors the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus.  Please click here to learn more about this rosary and please visit my shop Holy Name Rosaries to see more of my wire wrapped, unbreakable rosaries and prayer beads.

Stations of the Cross Chaplet in Blue Goldstone

This pocket version of the Stations of the Cross chaplet features 14 8mm blue goldstone beads. Actually, the term "goldstone" is a misnomer. The beads are actually midnight blue glass with flecks of silver foil mixed into it. The result is a deep blue bead that sparkles and dances in the light. Unfortunately, I was unable to capture the beauty of these beads and the sparkles look like white specks on the surface of the beads.

The crucifix is a pardon or indulgence crucifix. Pope Pius X gives special indulgences to people who pray devoutly on the crucifix. The back of the crucifix reads "Father Forgive Them" and "Behold This Heart Which Has So Loved Men." and has an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the center. The medal on the other end of the chaplet honors the Ecce Homo. The reverse side of the medal honors the Mater Dolorosa.

The 14 beads represents each of the 14 Stations of the Cross. It is much shorter and easier to carry with you than the larger version of the chaplet.

Please click here to learn more about this chaplet and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries, to see more of my wire wrapped chaplets and rosaries. 

Mother of Sorrow Rosary Beads Pewter Blue Goldstone Wire Wrapped Unbreakable

In this rosary, Our Mother of Sorrows is comforted by midnight blue beads that have flecks of silver foil that sparkle like the stars in the night sky. The Aves are 8mm blue goldstone beads and the Pater beads are 12mm blue goldstone beads. Goldstone is a misnomer because it is not stone. It is actually dark blue transparent glass that copper and silver foil flecks have been mixed into. The result is a beautiful, sparkly bead that dances in the light. I've have tried my best to capture the sparkly nature of these beads, but sadly the sparkles look like white specs in the beads.   Please click here to learn more about this rosary and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries, to see more of my unbreakable rosaries and rosary bracelets.

Three Hail Mary Chaplet with St Benedict Crucifix Onyx

This chaplet is comprised of three beautiful 8mm black onyx beads. Accenting these beads are silver colored bead caps. The Immaculate Heart medal has "Pray for us" on the reverse side. . The crucifix has a two sided St Benedict medal behind our Lord's head. Both the medal and the crucifix are silver colored metal. This chaplet is just under 6 1/2 inches long. It would make a wonderful gift or would be great to keep for yourself!

The Three Hail Marys devotion has enjoyed a long history in the church. The first known person to engage in this prayer is St. Anthony of Padua. He was followed by many saints and doctors of the church, among whom was St. Melchtilde. St Gertrude wrote of the Apparition that St. Melchtilde experienced with the Three Hail Marys devotion . Later, St Gertrude, herself experienced an apparition of the Blessed Virgin who promised a good death to anyone who practiced the devotion.

Please click here to learn more about this chaplet and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries, to see more of my Three Hail Mary chaplets and my unbreakable rosaries.

Dear Landlord...

I've taken the liberty of borrowing the title of Bob Dylan's song to use as the title of this post because I am, unfortunately, locked in a battle with the leasing company who owns my apartment.  Somehow, the title seems appropriate. 

Last June, I signed a lease that said I would pay $810/month for rent.   The lease stated that the $810  covered the $7.00 charge for trash collection and rent control.   It also included the $10.00 charge for pet rent to cover my kitty.   Everything went well throughout the summer.  On the first of every month, I dutifully paid my $810.00 and every month I was allowed to continue living in my apartment.   Not once did I hear anything about not paying enough rent.

In October, the company who owned my complex sold it to another company.   From that point until now, the new leasing company has been trying to raise my rent in the middle of my lease.  I believe this to be illegal and, at the very least, unethical.

Their first tack was to tell me I haven't been paying the $7.00/mo charge for the trash collection and rent control.   I have been fighting this almost every month and almost every month they have been forced to see where, in my lease, it states that the $7.00 charge is covered in my rent.

Today, once again when I paid my rent, the manager of the property accosted me with the fact that I haven't been paying the $7.00/monthly charge and that I owed them $80.00 to cover all the months that I haven't paid this fee.   We sat down and I showed her where, in the lease, it state unequivocally that the $7.00 fee is covered by my rent.   She was forced to agree.

As soon as she admitted defeat on that front, she started telling me that I owed them for the $10.00 pet rent which she CLAIMED I haven't been paying.   This is the very FIRST time they have mentioned the pet rent.  Together we went over the lease and found in two places where it states, very clearly, that the $810.00 covers the pet rent.   Yet because those clauses were not initialed by the manager at the time, she says they are not legally binding.   However, that is the lease that was signed by me AND the manager of the property at the time and to my understanding it IS legally binding for the new leasing company.

You may think that I'm being petty because I'm quibbling about such small fees.   However, I live alone, have a very small income that barely covers my expenses and I truly can not afford to pay the extra charges let alone the back charges they say I owe.

I've done some research and have learned that the new leasing company is charging $985/month for apartments like mine.   I believe they're angry that I am not paying even close to that amount and are looking for every which way possible to raise my rent in the middle of my lease.   It doesn't matter to them that what they are doing is illegal, unethical and unscrupulous.  What seems to matter is that they have the power to do it and so they ARE doing it.

I can not afford a lawyer, I wish I could.   I would love to fight them legally because I am certain I would win    However, without a lawyer, my chances of winning this battle appear to be slim.   So, in lieu of a lawyer,  I am asking everyone who reads this to pray for me and to pray that the Lord will send the Holy Spirit to work this out for me.   I believe with all my heart that He can resolve this matter for me.   It is my hope and prayer that He will resolve it for me.   After all, David did slay Goliath. 

Irish Celtic Rosary honoring St Patrick and St Brigid

The show stealers in this rosary are the 6mm Czech fire polished AB Emerald Avé beads. These beads are definitely emerald in color, but the partial Aurora Borealis coating on them is so intense that they reflect beautiful shades of blue, light green and sometimes even pink. They are a tribute to the Emerald Isle. The Pater beads have a Celtic knot design and contrast the Avé beads very nicely. The crucifix is a Celtic cross which has long been an Irish symbol of eternity. The front side of the center honors St Patrick who is one of the patron saints of Ireland. The reverse side of the center honor St Brigid who is the other patron saint of Ireland.  Please click here to learn more about this rosary and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries, to see more of my rosaries and rosary bracelets.

Irish Celtic Rosary Bracelet with Handmade Lampwork

The Avé beads in this rosary bracelet are 8mm blue green Bohemian beads with a picasso finish. Accenting these beads is a dark green 10mm lampwork bead with pink and white flowers. The spacers and toggle clasp are silver colored metal. The Claddagh symbol and Celtic cross are silver plated metal. This bracelet also has a little free form heart charm. Please click here to learn more about this bracelet and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries, to see more of my rosary bracelets and unbreakable rosaries.

Immaculate Heart and Sacred Heart Rosary Bracelet

The Ave beads in this striking rosary bracelet are 10mm fancy agate. The colors in these beads range from a rich dark brown to white. They remind me of a nice, gooey hot fudge sundae, or perhaps fudge ripple ice cream. Can you tell I'm a foodie? The 8mm black onyx Pater bead  provides a nice contrast to the Aves. The medal honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Please click here to learn more about this bracelet and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries to see more of my rosary bracelets and unbreakable rosaries.

Irish Rosary Bracelet Green Jade and Lampwork Glass

The Aves in this striking Irish rosary bracelet are 8mm by 10mm green jade roundells. The Pater bead is a dark green handmade lampwork bead with pink and white flowers and gold adventurine glass. The Claddagh symbol and Celtic cross are silver plated metal and the toggle clasp and spacers are silver colored metal.  Please click here to learn more about this bracelet and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries, to see more of my rosary bracelets and unbreakable rosaries.

Meditation on 2 Corinthians 3:1-4

On Friday evening, some of my friends from work and I decided to get together after work and have a nice visit.   Sometime during the evening, I mentioned that I thought it would be fun to have a Bible Study together.   They all thought that was a great idea and then they all turned on me and said: "Linda, it was your idea, why don't you lead the first Bible study and we'll all take turns after that."   I said "Okay!".    I have until Feb 21, to plan my little presentation, but after some thought and prayer, this is what I have so far.   I may stay with this, or end up with something completely different.  However, I thought I would like to post it on my blog and share it with anyone who may like to read it.

2 Corinthians 3:1-4

Do we begin again to commend ourselves?   Or do we need, as so others do, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?
You are our epistles, written in our hearts, known and read by all men.  Clearly, you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is of the heart.

I think this verse is so exciting.  This quote is from the little Gideon Bible I keep in my car.  I like it  best for this scripture.  Other translations use the word "letters" instead of "epistles" in this passage.  While that's accurate because the word "epistle" really does mean "letter", I like this translation because the word "epistle" makes me think of the books of the Bible, which is the written word of God. 

Because of my association of the word "epistle" with Bible, it really makes me see how incredible this scripture really is.  Basically, St Paul is telling us that because God has written His word in our hearts then we, too, become the written word of God that can be "read" by all people.   It just kind of blows my mind.  In a very real way, each of us is the word of God!

Dovetailing with this passage is the passage in the gospel of John chapter 1, verse 1:  "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God."  This tells us that Christ is the Word...the Logos.  If we do indeed try live in imitation of Christ, and allow Him to live in us, then we can become the "word" (small w) thru Christ who is the Word. 

Imagine how much we would all accomplish if we just started living in the reality of these scriptures!

Mary Undoer of Knots Rosary

The Ave beads in this striking rosary are 8mm African turquoise. It is important to note, that African turquoise is not genuine turquoise. Rather it is a form of jasper found in Africa. The color and the matrix of African turquoise leads it to be used as a turquoise substitute and is responsible for the common name of the stone. Accenting the African turquoise are the black onyx Pater beads. Each of these are comprised of one10mm black onyx bead flanked by 2 6mm black onyx beads. The center honors Mary the Untier of Knots and is comprised of silver colored metal. The crucifix is also silver colored metal,  Please click here if you would like to learn more about this rosary and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries to see more of my rosaries and prayer beads.

I have only recently learned about Mary the Undoer or Untier of Knots. However, my experiences with her bears this out because she has always seemed to be there to help during difficult times in my life. I used the swirls of silver plated wire "flowing" up the sides of the beads and intertwining with them to represent the order that our Blessed Mother can bring out of the knots and difficulties in our lives. This theme is further carried out in the intricate "woven" filigree found in the crucifix. This is a substantial rosary with a nice weight. Please click here if you would like to learn more about Mary the Untier of Knots,

Pope Francis Rosary with Stations of the Cross

Like many people, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, I am enthralled with Pope Francis. His is a singular and inspiring witness to the absolute simplicity and humility of the Christian journey. For this reason, I wanted to make a rosary to honor him.

With this in mind, this is a simple rosary. The Ave's are 6.5mm black onyx beads, The Paters are 10mm black onyx beads. All of the beads have simple 3mm bead caps at either end. The center has an image honoring Pope Francis on the front and an image of his Coat of Arms on the back. The Stations of the Cross crucifix has the all of the Stations of the Cross on the back. Both the center and crucifix are silver colored metal.  Please click here to learn more about this rosary and pleased visit my shop Holy Name Rosaries to see more of my rosaries and chaplets. 

Mother and Child Ruby Jade Wire Wrapped Rosary

 

 

The Ave's in this sweet little wire wrapped rosary are 6mm ruby jade. Complimenting the Ave's are 10mm white quartz Pater beads. These have been accented with silver colored bead caps at both ends. The center honors our Blessed Mother with the infant Jesus. The finely detailed crucifix has a heart on the end of each arm of the cross as well as behind the head of our Lord. This rosary would make a wonderful gift for a new Mom or for Mother's day. It would also be an inspired gift for Valentine's day.  Please click here to learn more about this rosary and please visit my shop, Holy Name Rosaries to see more of my rosaries, rosary bracelets and chaplets.