Il Blog di Holyart.com
Votive candles on gravestones brighten the too dark nights of cemeteries. They are like throbbing sentinels, small fragments of light drawing the path towards the light for our beloved deceased. Here is why they are so important. The cult of the dead has always been…
Christening, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage. Unique and unrepeatable occasions that mark humankind history, but also spiritual events that belong to every Christian. Let’s find out why it is better to choose a sacred party favor for those ceremonies Party favors are an essential element during…
There are exceptions, such as fashion or even luxury objects that can express the basic concepts of the Catholic religion through a new language, which is original and definitely glamorous. They are the Amen Collection jewels. Unique in their kind, they have become very popular in Italy and in other countries, offering a winning combination of fashion, elegance and spiritual expression. The concept is simple in its intensity: give words of faith to those we love every day, let them know they are not alone and that they are loved and protected, and that our spirit is with them in every moment, but most of all, Jesus is with them. The strength of faith, the love of God that is base and end of religion, a higher and universal love: in these jewels, all find an expression of great delicacy and intensity at the same time.
Where does this so innovative phenomenon come from? In 2012, the entrepreneur Giovanni Licastro first thought of creating jewels inspired to the Christian religion. An art made of special words. An idea that came from a faithful man turning to other faithful men, proposing jewels that can speak to the soul and that can express the spiritual commitment of those wearing them in every moment of the day. The design behind each single jewel of the Amen Collection is accurate and amazing. The challenge was of course not easy. It was about finding a new and modern way to reinterpret a spiritual language based on each one’s inner reality, memories, hopes, the most secret longings, but also on the respect due to religion in all of its displays. A delicate operation then, which generated a brand unique in its genre.
Faith is a choice that comes from within, a wish to belong to something bigger and more precious. It is an individual and conscious experience, which leads us to our deepest part and at the same time to that universal love represented by God. Amen jewels embrace a larger concept of love, which can be towards one’s husband or wife, a partner, children, friends, towards everyone.
The choice itself of the name, Amen, comes from the will to convey the religious message through these fashion objects. It is a sound that anyone in any country of the world can easily recognize, and vehicle of a universal faith. Amen is a Hebrew word adopted by the Christian liturgy as final formula for prayers and hymns. Its meaning can be summoned up as ‘surely’, ‘in truth’, ‘so be it’, but the etymological shades of the word Amen are many and deserve an article of their own. In the New Testament, Jesus introduces the fundamental principles he expresses with such word, and in doing so, he underlined their truthfulness: ‘Amen, amen I say to you’ – meaning: ‘Truly I say to you’, ‘What I say is true and certain’.
Amen jewels come from accurate studies and revolutionary creative processes, made of fine selected materials, metals, real leather, freshwater pearls, Murano beads, rhinestones, hard stones, and the utmost care for all details. In particular, Amen bracelets and necklaces are characterized by the innovative magnetic steel closure, the engraving technique used to carve words, and the color codes. The motto of the company says: Faith is Fashion. All production phases are carried out in Italy.
Amen Collections offer jewels of any kind: necklaces, bracelets, rings, wedding rings, rosaries, and so on. We want to linger in particular on the rings and bracelets that you can find in our online store.
Amen rings are amazing jewels, suitable for any occasion. The materials they are made of are carefully selected and give the rings an extra value, already excellent for their manufacture and elegance. Many models are suitable both for men and for women, and give a unique touch of style.
In Holyart catalog, you will find many models of Amen prayer rings, all made in Italy with hand worked silver 925, such as the prayer ring 1 cm thick in silver 925 and burnished rhodium finishing, and the Our Father prayer carved on. Or else, the Amen ring in silver 925 with or without Pink finishing, with the words of the Our Father or the Hail Mary carved on its surface. This model is also available in white silver 925 decorated with white rhinestones.
A very particular jewel is the Amen ring with small leaves represented on the inside of the ring, with rhodium finishing on a black rhodium background and embellished with black rhinestones, available in different sizes.
For those looking for a refined ring suitable for special events, there are more elaborated and precious models decorated with rhinestones, such as the Amen ring in rhodium silver 925 depicting the Tree of Life surrounded by a circle of white rhinestones, available in various diameter sizes. Alternatively, the Amen ring in silver 925 and black rhodium finishing depicting two angel wings in the center, about 2 cm long and embellished with black rhinestones. An Amen ring with a more masculine feel is the one made of silver 925 and burnished finishing; in the center an onyx cabochon cut stone is placed, resulting in a convex upper part and a flat base. On the sides of the stones, there are two Sacred Heart.
The Amen Collection bracelets are made in Italy. They are available in many materials, from leather to bronze, from silver to rubber, for all tastes and budgets.
The leather Amen bracelets are all made of hypoallergenic Steel 316L and vegetal tanning leather, nickel-free, cadmium-free and lead-free. Possible electrolytic rhodium/golden plates are nickel-free. Many have the words of the Our Father or the Hail Mary or other prayers carved on, but you can also find the Amen bracelet with the writing I love you in all the languages of the world, one with the Ten Commandments, one with quotes from Mother Teresa of Calcutta and those with Pope Francis prayer.
There are also bronze Amen bracelets with the Latin words of the Our Father carved on, the silver and Murano beads or freshwater pearls Amen bracelets, in various colors, with an angel pendant and the Italian words of the prayer Angel of God in silver 925.
Golden and rhodium lurex Amen bracelets are very modern and elegant, and can come also in pink and rhodium gold; they have a magnetic sphere for closing and opening of about 10 mm. The bracelet circumference is about 38 cm and it wraps around the wrist.
The rigid slave Amen bracelet is wonderful, has the Our Father prayer carved on a plate of about 8 mm. It is made of rhodium silver 925, is half-open and has rhinestones inserted at the beginning and end of the prayer.
The two rounds shiny thermoplastic Amen bracelets are modern and colorful. They are available in various colors and sizes, and the prayer Our Father is embossed in gold. They have a simple silver magnetic closure. More for the younger ones, the Amen bracelets in colored rubber are joyful and sparkly; the words of the Our Father are carved on, they have a magnetic closure in hypoallergenic steel 316L.
Amen jewels prices vary according to the type of jewel and most of all to the material they are made of. Of course, rubber or thermoplastic bracelets will be cheaper than the ones entirely made of silver, or decorated with pearls and rhinestones, but Amen will surprise you even with its prices, affordable for anyone. Give others and yourself a jewel that is unique in shape and meaning, a symbol of love and devotion that will join you in every moment and those you love
Chalices, pyxes and patens. In short: sacred objects. They have always been fundamental elements of Liturgy, and have evolved throughout centuries but never essentially changed their primary concept: storing Christ’s body and blood in a worthy way. There are specific rules that define the use…
Wrist cufflinks are elegant and refined accessories, which are only apparently old-fashioned. Both men and women can wear them, and they can turn into small unique and precious jewels, able to emphasize the personality of those wearing them. Let’s find out how they are made,…
In the past, strict and codified rules used to regulate clergy. Priests and friars could easily be recognized because of the clothes they wore. Not just that, it was also possible to tell immediately what religious order a man of Church belonged to according to the type of clothes he wore, the color of his tunic or his robe, whether he wore a scapular or not, a hood, and so on.
With modern times, these rules have changed. Nowadays priests need to move conveniently in order to fulfill their duties as spiritual guides, but also to be able to offer their help and support to the faithful in more practical and earthly matters.
At the same time though, the priest must keep on expressing his belonging to the Church and God with his clothes and looks, and somehow embody the presence of God among men.
In the article 284 of the Code of Canon Law, it is stated: “Clerics are to wear suitable ecclesiastical garb according to the norms issued by the conference of bishops and according to legitimate local customs.”
Pope John Paul II wrote in his teachings: “The pastoral care of the beloved diocese of Rome raises many problems to my mind, among which the one concerning the discipline of ecclesiastical clothing seems worthy of consideration, due to the pastoral consequences deriving from it. I expressed my thoughts on the matter several times in my meetings with priests, noting the value and meaning of this distinctive sign, not only because it contributes to the decorum of the priest in his external behavior or in the exercise of his ministry, but above all because it highlights the public witness that every priest is obliged to give in the ecclesiastical community about his own identity and special belonging to God.
Wearing clergy clothes is a way to remind themselves and others of their role and their spiritual closeness to Jesus then. The social and psychological impact is strong on those meeting with a man of Church, because it is like he brought a living witness of God around.
Nevertheless, many priests are intolerant to clergy clothing, some even refuse to wear the ecclesiastical collar. That alone would be enough to make the priest easily and quickly recognizable. The ecclesiastical collar was first introduced in the XIX century. It was once made of cotton or white linen, and was buttoned up around the neck, above clothes. Today collars are often made of plastic and can be replaced by a partial collar under the shirt or cassock collar, so that people can see only a small portion.
Among religious clothing, the clergyman is the practical and functional response to the priests’ need to be comfortable.
It is a suit for priests made of trousers, shirt and jacket. Jacket and trousers are usually black, grey or dark blue. Under the shirt collar, matching the color of the suit, goes the ecclesiastical collar, or anyway a white collar. Over the shirt, priests can wear a jacket, a waistcoat or a simple sweater for occasions that are more informal. Clergyman’s suits are a practical alternative to cassocks.
Holyart online catalog offers a wide variety of religious clothing. In our store, you can find shirts for priests and modern and functional ecclesiastical clothing such as clergyman shirts, jackets, waistcoats, round-necked shirts, sweaters, vests, fleece and polo shirts with clergy neck. All of the religious garments are made in Italy and guaranteed by the Marcellino brand and other famous brands. They are excellent products, elegant and with highly wearability; they include classic wool models with buttons and pockets, but also modern sweaters with zipper and pockets, warm and practical handcrafted wool vests, suitable to face the winter.
Clergyman shirts in the Holyart catalog are available in end-on-end, a perspiring fabric that is light and resistant, created by weaving two fine cotton, poplin or mixed threads. They are available in dark gray, light gray, light blue, white and black. Short or long sleeved, they are all excellent quality, elegant and comfortable to wear, with practical pockets and hidden buttons.
As an alternative to the clergy shirt, the modern priest can wear a practical polo shirt, with clergy neck and ‘civil’ collar. All polo shirts in Holyart catalog are produced by the Marcellino knitwear factory with fine and excellent fabrics in order to guarantee thin and practical shirts that are suitable even under a jacket. There are short and long sleeved models, all handmade and tailored in Italy.
Over the shirt or polo shirt, the priest can wear a jacket, a waistcoat, a round-necked sweater or a pullover. The sweaters made by Marcellino for Holyart offer solutions for all tastes and occasions, from the classic V-neck pullover to wool cardigans with buttons and pockets.
Besides clothing for priests, Holyart catalog proposes clergyman pins, which can be applied to jackets or shirts, in order to distinguish oneself with sobriety and elegance in any situation.
We can easily recognize priests and friars by the clothes they wear: the priest shirt and the friar tunic. Clergy clothing has its own rules and meaning, but footwear is also important. Let’s find out something more about that. An article dedicated to clergy footwear…
Symbol of light and grace given directly by God, the Saints halo expresses their bliss status and the divine majesty they are appointed with. The saints halo, the nimbus, the vesica piscis (or almond). The irradiating light has been present in art illustrations since very…
A crucifix, a religious picture, an icon of the Holy Family, a statue of the Virgin Mary. Sacred objects that we can find in any home, even in those where non-practicing families live. That’s because sacred images, statues of Jesus, Mary or a Saint, have always been present in the history of humankind and of each family, sign of real faith and belonging to God.
Sometimes we don’t even know where they came from, maybe from an old aunt or grandmother, in dusty basements or forgotten attics. More often we see them hanging on walls or in a special place in our living room, hall, or on a chest of drawers in our bedroom. Sacred objects belong to our lives, to our families’ lives, and remind us always that we are living in a Christian home and people living in it are baptized and live in the love of God.
But there is more to that. We all know that sacred objects, especially the blessed ones, are feared by the devil, and are one of the most powerful weapons men have to fight and defeat it with real faith. Therefore, a home with crucifixes, icons, sacred pictures or statues of the Virgin Mary will be protected from evil and will guard those living in it like a fortress.
In a previous article, we talked about blessings and sacramentals. They are sacred signs the Church established to gain mostly spiritual effects. That is, through sacramentals men can receive the main effect of sacraments in any moment of their life. Their use is often tied to a prayer or to a gesture, such as the sign of the hand, the sign of the cross, the sprinkling of holy water. Among sacramentals, we can include blessings, exorcisms, many types of popular devotion such as the various types of mercy, the adoration of relics, visits to shrines, pilgrimages, processions, the ‘via crucis’, religious dances, the Rosary, medals, etc.
Under that point of view, we can also consider sacred objects, or some of them, as sacramentals, since their action extends the effect of Baptism and other sacraments to some extent, bringing them back into our lives and homes in every moment.
Of course, all the power of sacred objects lies in what they symbolize, but it means nothing if it is not supported by the faith of those who live there. If it were not so, they would only be an excuse to abandon ourselves to superstition. Our life, lived according to faith and charity, makes sacred objects in our homes effective. Our good actions, the Christian and merciful attitude we have when relating to others, create some kind of good energy field, which amplifies and catalyzes with sacred objects. It is always the same old story: we must not live expecting other people to do our jobs, or that a magic formula recited the right number of times and with the appropriate intonation solve all of our trouble. God looks at us first, at our hearts and actions, and it’s in those things that He looks for a real intention of faith.
Nevertheless, sacred objects are useful reminders, in every moment they remind us that someone looks upon us, loves us and protects us, that someone being an endlessly good, patient and merciful Father.
We listed different types of sacred Christian objects that we can keep in our homes, from the wall crucifix to religious icons, from statues of the Virgin of Fatima to the statues of sleeping Saint Joseph, so dear to our beloved Pope.
Let’s examine some of them in detail, some that cannot miss in our homes.
The crucifix can also be considered as a sacramental; actually, it is maybe the most powerful among them. The crucifix is the symbol of the love that God feels towards us all, that love that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross consecrated, made evident and tangible, in the most painful and highest of ways. Exactly its being a strong symbol of love makes it a lethal weapon against evil, and the most powerful deterrent against spiritual enemies and negative energies. We should keep a wall or a table crucifix in every room, to never stop meditating on Christ and his sacrifice, especially when things are going bad and bad thoughts or temptations torment us. Today we can find crucifixes of any material and style on sale, which can therefore be suitable for any kind of interior design, become part of the ambien, and even make it more elegant and pleasant. Besides the classic table or wall crucifixes in wood or metal, we can find ceramic, clay, china, glass and plexiglas crucifixes. Styles range from classic, imitating the big ones we can see in churches, to real design objects with modern and stylized lines, made of translucent materials or silver, which can become refined furnishings. In particular, a modern wall crucifix can have multiple uses. Some are equipped with candleholders to become original candlesticks, while others are real design lamps, with innovative lines and a great visual impact.
A classic that is in many homes is the Crucifix of St. Damian. We talked about it in a previous article as one of the most famous sacred images in the world. The original crucifix of St. Damian is the one in front of which St. Francis was praying when he received the call from the Lord to renew His Church. It is stored in Assisi, place of pilgrimage for thousands of devotees from all over the world. The Crucifix of St. Damian is an example of the so-called triumphant Christ on the cross, born in the Eastern Church and very popular in Byzantine icons. Jesus is nailed to the cross, but does not look suffering. He’s not living agony, but the triumph of a King on a throne. The whole crucifix is full of characters and symbols, each one of them is placed in a meaningful way and has a fundamental role in the story that the object tells. An object permeated with spirituality, solemnity and a breath of strong faith.
The crucifix of St. Damian was reproduced countless times, and is available in various versions: for tables, to hang, or even to wear on our neck. It is mostly made of wood, material used for the original one, but there are also other variants in different materials, such as metal, ceramic, or even tapestry, with a refined Jacquard weaving and lined in satin.
Even a picture with a religious subject can be a sacred object we can show in our homes. Subjects can be many, from reproductions of famous scared art history works to completely original images. Traditional subjects are the Holy Family, the Virgin Mary, the Cherubs, but sometimes even Christ’s face, the Last Supper or the Annunciation. Besides traditional pictures, duplicates or prints, low relief silver religious pictures are very popular in homes, in various shapes and sizes. Usually the base of these pictures is a piece of wood with a sheet of embossed silver applied on it, sometimes enriched by golden details. Silver pictures are one type of modern religious picture. They usually have a support so that they can be placed on a piece of furniture, but they can also be hanged to the wall or placed as headboards.
Sacred icons are objects that have always brought all the spirit and mystery of a great religious tradition in every home. Sacred icons can be of various types, depending on the origin. For example, Romanian sacred icons come from the ancient Byzantine tradition and interpret the sacred representation in a more Western way than many other forms of art of the same kind. Russian icons were immediately recognized as cultural heritage not only for Russia, but also for the whole humankind, when they were showed to the world at the beginning of the 20th century during an exhibition in Paris. Ancient Russian icons express the real face of medieval religion, free from all frills and structures that accumulated with time and with the succession of the many world artistic waves. The symbolic and devotional meaning they are filled with has no equal.
An alternative can be Greek icons, handmade by artisans that draw inspiration from the ancient and strict rules of Byzantine art.
Byzantine icons on sale on Holyart are of Russian, Romanian, Greek and Polish origins, all of them authentic and carrying a certificate of warranty and origin. Holyart sacred icons are entirely handmade and tempera painted. That makes each icon unique. They often have warm and intense colors, and are enriched with small decorations in gold leaf.
The most recurrent subjects are the Virgin Mary, depicted as a mother of tenderness and love or during the Annunciation, and Jesus as a Good Shepherd and protector, but most of all the Holy Family.
Besides the icons coming from the Byzantine tradition, there are also modern and screen-printed icons.
Sacred icons are available in various models: they can be hanged, exposed on an easel, cross-shaped, printed on stone, wood or boxes, and even on typical Russian painted eggs.
There are many versions of statues of the Virgin Mary we can show in our home. It is always Jesus’ Mother, but depending on the main features of Mary, we could divide the statues of the Virgin into:
Each one of them has the physical features that were given to the Virgin during the apparitions.
We wrote much about the statue of the sleeping Saint Joseph, “holy protector of the family”, particularly dear to our beloved Pope Francis. In fact, Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose Saint Joseph as guide and protector since his youth. It is not by chance that his election as Pope fell exactly on Saint Joseph day, March 19th, 2013.
The statue of the sleeping Saint Joseph gives us an unusual image, but that is very popular among South American devotees: a sleeping Saint Joseph. The representation refers to the sleep during which God informed Joseph about the danger represented by King Eros, and encouraged him to love and protect Mary and the Baby. Joseph becomes then the prototype of the attached and devoted father, who takes on the responsibility of his spouse and son, and defends them at the cost of his own life, taking care of them and respecting them. What better image to be a protector of the family?
If you choose to keep a statue of sleeping Saint Joseph in your home, you could do as Pope Francis does: he sometimes puts notes under the statue with his doubts, his problems, but also requests for grace from devotees as reminders, so that Saint Joseph can take them to God’s attention. In the case of the Pope, for the love of all of his sons, while in your case, to help you protect your family during hard times.
Religious bracelets tell us a different way to live our Faith. Fancy jewels, precious metals, but most of all symbols that we can always carry with us. Jewels. Symbols of vanity, born to ornate, embellish, with no other purpose. It’s not always like that. Rosary…
The Priest Chalice, the vase that contains Christ’s Blood during a Mass. Symbol of communion between God and men, of the salvation incarnated in Jesus. The chalice is the sacred vase containing the wine that turns into Christ’s Blood during Eucharist. It symbolizes the chalice…
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Blessings we should know, some are famous, some others are curious. Instruments of faith and grace to let the Holy Spirit descend on those who are worthy.
If we look up the word “blessing”, we find the following definitions:
Liturgical act or ceremony used to bless somebody or something: water b; act under which divine grace descends on devotees: ladle out a b. || urbi et orbi b. solemn papal blessing to the city of Rome and to the world
Act that, in an eminent way, symbolizes a wishful and protective disposition: give children a b.; wish, good invocation: you will have the b. of all goods.
Person or thing that is cause of good
Of course, we will focus on the first and most important meaning of the word. According to the Catholic Church, a blessing is a request made by someone, usually a religious minister such as a bishop, a presbyter or a deacon, to let God’s grace fall on someone else. It is an invocation of favor and benevolence for someone or something. The Church includes the blessing in the Sacramentals, that is, “sacred signs instituted by the Church. They prepare men to receive the fruit of the sacraments and sanctify different circumstances of life.”(Article 1677 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church). They are mostly oral formulas, even if they sometimes consider using particular gestures: for example, the sign of the cross with a hand movement, or the sprinkling of holy water. In some cases, also the Head of the family can invoke them on his beloved ones.
In the Old Testament blessings were meant mostly as a way to ask God to influence earthly and material life of those relying on Him; he was asked to grant the asker a wealthy and numerous family, a long life and prosperity. In some books, we find references to more spiritual blessings, such as wisdom, peace and justice. Jesus will reconnect to that vision of blessings in the New Testament. Within the Jewish culture, a blessing is always a divine prerogative, even when a man utters it. In this case, God sends his blessings (or curses) through a mediator. These men become blessings to other men, chosen by God to take his favor or his condemnation among their fellow men.
In the New Testament, Jesus becomes the personification of God’s blessing, His instrument of benevolence and redemption for all men. Jesus not only blesses his disciples, the sick, the children, but he is a blessing himself, an inexhaustible source of God’s Love and His endless generosity.
“God has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1,3)
Saint Paul speaks about the “full measure of the blessing of Christ” (Rm 15,29)
The Church welcomed all of the blessings in a liturgical book, the Book of Blessings. It contains all formulas for blessings that are useful in any occasion, and the blessings rituals that presbyters and deacons need to know. Let us look at some of the most important and popular blessings. We chose ten.
Apostolic Blessings are special blessings that only the Pope can ladle out, or a bishop or a minister of equal level. The Pope can also send a written apostolic Blessing, when necessary and only in specific occasions. In order to obtain a papal blessing, one needs to issue a request to the Office of Papal Charities, by sending a permission given by the Church authority. Papal blessings, given by the Pope or a Bishop, often include the plenary indulgence. Before the second Vatican Council, even a blessing ladled out by a priest in the event of an Extreme Unction was accepted as a papal blessing. The papal blessing is granted during some sacraments (Christening, First Communion, Confirmation, Wedding); when a priest is ordained or takes Holy Orders; when a lay man takes the Holy Orders (secular consecration); when a deacon is permanently ordained; for a meaningful wedding anniversary (silver wedding, golden anniversary, etc.); for some particularly important birthdays (18, 50, 100, etc.)
The Urbi et Orbi blessing is probably the most famous among the papal blessings: the Pope ladles it out on some special occasions, during major holidays (Christmas and Easter) and on New Year’s Eve. It is also the first blessing published by the Pope after his election to the papal throne. It is a particularly powerful and important blessing, because it comes with a plenary indulgence for all those who are in the presence of the Pope, but also for those who are watching it on medias. The Latin expression Urbi et Orbi means “To the city (of Rome) and to the world”.
The Pope utters the blessing in Latin, and the devotees reply “Amen”.
“May the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, in whose power and authority we trust, intercede for us before the Lord.
Amen.
Through the prayers and merits of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, may Almighty God have mercy on you and forgive all your sins, and may Jesus Christ bring you to everlasting life.
Amen.
May the almighty and merciful Lord grant you indulgence, absolution and the remission of all your sins, a season of true and fruitful penance, a well-disposed heart, amendment of life, the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit and final perseverance in good works.
Amen.
And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you forever.
Amen.”
The Eucharistic blessing is the blessing practiced exposing Christ’s Body in the Ostensory on the altar, where everybody can see it and kneel down to pray. It is strictly connected to the practice of Eucharistic adoration then. Before the second Vatican Council, Eucharistic blessing was the most diffused and solemn liturgical practice, since it involved the consecrated bread at its center, that is, the most Holy Sacrament.
Bishops, presbyters and deacons can ladle out the Eucharistic blessing. It is divided into different stages:
Among the ‘modern’ saints, Padre Pio is probably the one who most encouraged those turning to him for comfort and advice to rely on God in any moment of their life. According to the Saint from Pietrelcina, the only way worth of being traveled is the one where God is a constant presence next to us. Men only need to adapt their will to His, and let the Holy Spirit work through Him with blind faith and trust, with no clamor nor anxiety because Jesus knows what is better and can ensure that everything falls into place according to His Father’s will.
The blessings that Padre Pio used to ladle out to his followers were then focused on this invitation to lay down every anxiety and pain, and trust God and His infinite mercy, love Him above all and trustfully wait for the fruits of that love.
Here is an example of a goodnight blessing:
“May the blessing of God be a spare, support and guidance! Start a Christian family, if you wish for some serenity in this life. May the Lord give you children, and the grace to direct them on the way to heaven.
Do not strain for things that generate haste, perturbation and anxiety. Only one thing is necessary: raise your spirit and love God. With this thought, I wish you goodnight… in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Praise Jesus and Mary. And goodnight to all“.
Among the many companions Saint Francis loved, Brother Leo has a particular role. It is not by chance that his remains are buried next to the poor from Assisi. He was a man of great culture and a skilled hand writer. He was also a secretary to Saint Francis, staying next to him in all the most meaningful moments of his life, joining him in the writing of the New Rule. He was also his father confessor. Francis used to call him God’s sheep due to his pureness, the spontaneity of his heart; he was the one that was allowed to see and touch the stigmata he received on Mount Verna. The love Francis felt for him was immense, and we can still have a glimpse of it today thanks to a precious relic that got through to us and is now stored in the cathedral of S. Francis in Assisi: the chartula. It is a piece of paper with the text of the Laudes to God on one side, and a blessing that Saint Francis dedicated to Brother Leo to support him in a difficult time on the other side:
Benedicat tibi Dominus et custodiat te,
ostendat faciem suam tibi et misereatur
tui convertat vultum suum ad te
et det tibi pacem.
Dominus benedicat frater Leo, te
Benedicat, benedicat,
benedicat tibi Dominus
et custodiat te Frater Leo, te
The Lord bless you
and keep you.
May He show His face to you
and have mercy.
May He turn His countenance to you
and give you peace.
The Lord bless you, Brother Leo
bless you
bless you
the Lord bless you,
and keep you, Brother Leo.
This ancient blessing is shaped by the love between the two friends; it got through to us acquiring a universal value. The blessing of Saint Francis has become a gift from the Saint to all men, of any time and country; a wish to enjoy the love of God, His benevolent and merciful look, which is valid today and forever, for anyone in despair or in need or encouragement.
The nuptial blessing is that moment during a wedding ceremony when the Priest blesses the two spouses. It usually happens after the ring exchange or after the Eucharist liturgy, but the spouses can arrange a different moment with the priest. At the same way, they can choose the formulas for the blessings for spouses, which differ slightly one from the other. As a general line, the Catholic wedding that takes place during a Eucharistic Celebration is divided into the following moments:
The habit of having a priest or a bishop giving the nuptial blessing is quite ancient. Some documents prove that it was already popular in the IV century, but not mandatory. In fact, at that time wedding was mainly a private agreement between the spouses and their families, to which a minister could possibly participate to bless the couple. From the XI century, the presence of a priest celebrating the wedding became mandatory, and the Council of Verona (1184) officially included the wedding in the list of sacraments, and as such, it had to be regulated by ecclesiastic laws. From 1215, with the Lateran Council IV, the Church defines the liturgy for weddings in all of its religious and juridical aspects. The following councils will confirm and expand this regulation.
This is what the Liturgy dictates:
The bride and bridegroom approach the altar or, if appropriate, they remain at their place and kneel. If the blessing is anticipated after the ring exchange, the celebration continues with Our Father and the Deliver Us, according to the Roman Missal.
We said that the spouses can choose among different formulas for the nuptial blessing. Let’s see one:
(The Priest, with hands joined, calls upon those present to pray with these or similar words)
Let us pray to the Lord for this bride and groom, who come to the altar as they begin their married life, that partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ they may always be bound together by love for one another.
(And all pray in silence for a while. Then the Priest, with hands extended over the bride and bridegroom, continues to say:
Holy Father, who formed man in your own image,
male and female you created them,
so that as husband and wife,
united in body and heart,
they might fulfill their calling in the world;
O God, who, to reveal the great design you formed in your love,
willed that the love of spouses for each other
should foreshadow the covenant you graciously made
with your people, so that,
by fulfillment of the sacramental sign,
the mystical marriage of Christ with his Church
might become manifest in the union of husband and wife among your faithful;
Graciously stretch out your right hand over these your servants (Name and Name),
and pour into their hearts the power of the Holy Spirit.
Grant, O Lord, that, as they enter upon this sacramental union,
they may share with one another the gifts of your love
and, by being for each other a sign of your presence,
become one heart and one mind.
May they also sustain, O Lord,
by their deeds the home they are forming.
(and prepare their children to become members of your heavenly household
by raising them in the way of the Gospel).
Graciously crown with your blessings your daughter (Name),
so that, by being a good wife (and mother),
she may bring warmth to her home with a love that is pure
and adorn it with welcoming graciousness.
Bestow a heavenly blessing also, O Lord, on (Name), your servant,
that he may be a worthy, good
and faithful husband (and a provident father).
Grant, holy Father, that,
desiring to approach your table as a couple joined in Marriage in your presence,
they may one day have the joy
of taking part in your great banquet in heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The habit of blessing animals dates back to the medieval age and is of farming origins. Once people used to bless cows, calves, sheeps, pigs and courtyard animals. Back then, the wellbeing of animals was strictly connected to people’s wealth, since the majority of entire families’ sustenance depended on milk, eggs and meat they could obtain from animals. Today things are a bit different, and animals such as dogs, cats and other small pets are taken to receive the blessing. They are not necessary animals as they were once, but they make people’s lives more pleasant with their company and affection, and remind people of how important it is to show respect and take care of such small creatures.
This is what the Book of Blessings says about it:
According to the providence of the Creator, many animals have a certain role to play in human existence by helping with work or providing food and clothing. Thus when the occasion arises, for example, the feast of some saint, the custom of invoking God’s blessing on animals may be continued.
The present order may be used by a priest or deacon. It may also be used by a layperson, who follows the rites and prayers designated for a lay minister.
(Nuovo Benedizionale, chapter XXXIV, title: Blessing of animals, nn. 1058-1059/1074.)
We must not consider the blessing of animals as a gratitude towards God for creating them as support, comfort and sustenance for people. By blessing them, we thank God for the whole creation, for the immense gift He gave us, raising us above all and giving us a wonderful world so that we could enjoy it as we like.
The ritual of the blessing of animals is celebrated during the feast of St. Anthony the Abbot, considered as protector of pets, on January 17th.
The blessing goes:
O God, you have done all things wisely;
in your goodness you have made us in your image
and given us care over other living things.
reach out with your right hand
and grant that these animals may serve our needs
and that your bounty
in the resources of this life
may move us to seek more confidently the goal of eternal life.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Even the blessings of homes, as of the families living in them, are quite popular in our country. The parish or his collaborators, who go from home to home usually during solemn events such as Easter, give these blessings. In doing that, ministers follow the example of Jesus’ apostles who, at His instigation, went to people’s homes to take the gift of peace (Mt 10,13). On this occasion, the families living in those homes and the homes themselves are sprinkled with holy water.
The New Book of Blessings recites:
Pastors must regard as one of their primary pastoral duties the faithful visitation of families to bring the message of Christ’s peace. They will thus obey the command of Christ to his disciples: “On entering any house, first say: ‘Peace to this house’” (Luke 10:5).
Pastors and their assistants must therefore consider as a sacred trust the custom of an annual visit, particularly during the Easter season, to the families living in their parish. The occasion is a rich opportunity to fulfill pastoral responsibilities that grow in effectiveness the more the priests come to know the families.”
(Nuovo Benedizionale, chapter XIII title Annual Blessing of Families in their Own Homes, nn. 434-435.)
The visit includes the reading of the Word of God and the blessing prayer, with particular care to the presence of children or older people. The formula of that blessing has many variations, here is one:
Blessed are you, God our Father,
for your gift of this house as the dwelling place of this family.
Grant that those who live here
may obtain the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
through their works of charity
let them show what grace your blessing brings,
so that all who visit this home
will find the spirit of love and peace
which only you can give.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Saint Patrick, patron of Ireland, left this blessing to us, better known as the Blessing of the Irish traveler. He was born in a noble Roman family, was kidnapped as a teenager by Irish pirates and lived as a slave of an Irish King in Northern Ireland. Later, when he received the call, he spent his life evangelizing Irish people, who were living in multiple tribes at the time. He spent most of his life on the move, traveling and meeting different people and cultures. His blessing expresses this inclination to travel. It is addressed to those who are never tired of discovering new places and meeting new people.
May the road rise up to meet you,
may the wind be always at your back.
may the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
The Easter blessing celebrates Jesus’ resurrection, and makes those who receive His strength part of His victory over death. With this blessing, recited by the head of the family on Easter, which indeed celebrates Jesus’ triumph and the accomplishment of his mission of love and salvation, devotees are blessed as God’s children, and therefore indirectly also God Himself, in a circle of redeeming faith and reciprocal Love.
To give the Easter blessing, ministers use holy water, recalling Baptism and the rebirth of every Christian, and the blessed olive, symbol of peace and reconciliation. We must not consider the Easter blessing as some sort of home lucky charm though! This ritual must not leave any room for superstition: evil stays away from homes not thanks to this blessing, but because those receiving it and living in them are able to live in harmony, serenity and in dialog with God. No magic then, but the cohesion of a sanctified family, blessed in front of God’s eyes. The whole family should be present during the Easter blessing. It is also possible to set up a small altar with a picture of Jesus next to the pictures of the family members. Before lunch on Easter day, the family reunites around the table and the head of the family introduces the prayer:
HEAD OF FAMILY: In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
EVERYONE: Amen.
HEAD OF FAMILY: From the Gospel of Luke (Lc 24, 30-31)
When he was at the table with them,
He took bread, gave thanks,
broke it and began to give it to them.
Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him,
Short silent pause.
EVERYONE: Our Father…
HEAD OF THE FAMILY: We praise you, God Father,
Lord of heaven and earth,
so that in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead
you give us hope of new and eternal life.
Bless our family gathered around the table,
strengthen the bonds that unite us
and let us diffuse the joy of the Risen Lord
to those we meet.
He lives and reigns for ever and ever.
EVERYONE: Amen. Hallelujah.
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We will never get tired of repeating the fundamental and essential importance of Eucharist in Catholic Church celebrations, and in general, in every Christian’s life. Do we really know all we should about the hosts and the wine for the mass? We already discussed the difference between the consecrated host and the particle. We also examined another delicate and current matter, that is, hosts for celiac, gluten-free hosts.
In this article we would like to draw up a quite exhaustive list of useful questions and answers concerning the Holy Sacrament, not in its innate and irrefutable value, nor in the solemn meaning it has to those approaching it with a devoted soul and reaching out towards the Mystery in it that has been renovating itself for thousands of years. What we wish to collect here is a brief list of notions and knowledge that we hope can be useful, or at least curious, for those reading them.
No, you cannot, only the priest can decide whether you can eat it or put it back in its place. Before the promulgation of the Vatican Council II, the possibility that a host could fall on the floor while it was given to a devotee was a big problem. It was an act of great profanation, even if in most cases it happened regardless of the two involved parties’ will. When it happened, only the priest was allowed to pick it up. The floor where the most Holy Sacrament had fallen had to be covered with a light cloth, and then washed after the ceremony. In addition, the water used to wash it had to be collected and poured into a sacred tub, used to collect water from containers and sacred linen purification, and the remains of blessed objects. Today things are a bit easier. This rule does not exist anymore. Since the devotees are allowed to receive the consecrated host in their hands, it wouldn’t be a problem if the devotee himself would be the one picking it up. However, out of respect, it is still preferable to let the priest do so. Once it has been picked up, the host is put aside or consumed by the minister right away. The important thing is that it must not be put back with the others, nor offered to someone else. We always have to remember that the consecrated host is effectively Christ’s Body, and as such, it must be treated with respect and veneration, even in its smallest parts.
It’s the same, just choose the right attitude to approach the Sacrament. During the General Audience in Piazza San Pietro on March 21st, Pope Francis talked about the right ways to approach Communion and receive the Holy Sacrament. The Holy Father first explained the deep meaning of Eucharist, on how we feed with Christ’s body and blood through the sacramental communion, to become part of Him (“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them” Gv 6,56), stating then that each time we receive the communion we look a little bit more like Jesus, we transform a little bit more into Jesus. He then cleared the ways: “The faithful normally approach the Eucharist in a processional manner, as we have said, and receive Communion standing with devotion, or on their knees as established by the Episcopal Conference, receiving the Sacrament either on the tongue or in the hand, if allowed, as preferred.” (cf. girm 160-161). It makes therefore no difference whether you receive the host on your tongue or hand, standing or kneeling, the important thing is the attitude you have when approaching the Communion, what you carry in our heart during this emotional and special encounter with Jesus.
Yes, it is, even if it must respect the minimum percentage of gluten established by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. We spoke about that recently, it is a quite thorny matter, because given the raising demand due to the increasing number of celiac people, or anyway gluten-intolerant, the Church opinion seemed to be a bit confused. The issue was to determine what was the accepted percentage of gluten in the flour, main ingredient of hosts, which would not cause damage to devotees, but at the same time could be accepted by the current dispositions in the field of Eucharist. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith established that hosts must contain wheat starch even in a minimum amount: “Low-gluten hosts are valid matter, provided that they contain the amount of gluten sufficient to obtain the confection of bread, that there is no addition of foreign materials and that the procedure for making such hosts is not such as to alter the nature of the substance of the bread.” (circular letter to all Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences, June 19th, 1995). Now things look much clearer. Gluten-free hosts (with a maximum amount of gluten of 20 mg/kg) or with low gluten (maximum 100 mg/kg) will be accepted by the Church and considered valid matter for Eucharist.
It depends on the gravity of sins. For those approaching Communion having committed light and minor sins, true penance and commitment not to sin anymore is surely enough. Of course, Confession is very important, but it must be intended because of a real repentance, not a pass that washes away all guilt no matter what. It is a precious gift we receive from God because we regretted our actions and chose to do better. In the apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, which talks about the Gospel announcement and is addressed to bishops, Presbyterians and deacons, to consecrated people and lay faithful, Pope Francis lingers on the need that the Church be an open house at all times, for those approaching it with a pure heart longing for grace. It exhorts priests not to act as grace inspectors, but as facilitators. No one, entering a church, should ever find a closed and cold door, but all the comprehension and love they expect when going back to the Father’s home. Everyone can then be part of the ecclesiastical life and of the community. Under this point of view, the access to Sacraments must be open to everyone as well. Eucharist in particular should not be intended as a prize for the smartest or most worthy, but also and most of all, as an encouragement for the weakest, something that can fuel their faith and their will to do well.
It makes no difference. We already quoted what the Holy Father said about that during the General Audience in Piazza San Pietro on March 21st: what is important is not the way, but the how, the attitude we have when approaching the Sacrament. Before the Vatican Council II the most popular rule was kneeling, receiving the host directly on our tongue. After the Council, it was possible to choose whether to receive the most Holy Sacrament standing or kneeling. Today it is most common to receive the Communion standing, on our hand or tongue: or kneeling, with the host on our tongue.
Communion was born as a community act. During the last supper, Jesus was with his Apostles around a table, and he offered them first the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation, His blessed body and blood. With time, this community ritual became more and more individual and private. A clear example is that instead of sharing a common bread, the devotees began taking hosts, or particles, offered them by the Minister himself. Since 1967, devotees can choose if they want to receive the Communion on their knees, standing, on the tongue or in the hand. They only need to remember that what they are doing is not an act of individual devotion, but a common one, and that implies understanding other people’s choices and needs.
No, he cannot. The liturgical reformation reinstated the original formula to be recited when the faithful receives Christ’s body and blood. If he wouldn’t, that would mean diminishing that moment, the highest and most precious of the celebration, its solemnity, and take out the aim itself of the Mass.
You can do that, but it’s not mandatory. In the past it was normal, even though the reasons people did that were more practical than sacred. It was necessary to cover the wine glass, the plate and the glass for the hosts in order to protect the precious content from flies and dirt. This exquisitely practical need strengthened its value with time, so much that it became a usual norm. Today the priest decides whether it would be better to cover the glass and the pyx containing the consecrated hosts with their cloths. He cannot cover the big host, the one used for the Consecration.
Usually the extraordinary minister of the Communion should wear a tunic or a garment approved by the Episcopal Conference, but that is not an essential obligation. Let’s remember that the extraordinary minister of the Holy Communion is a lay man fulfilling the role of officer of the most Holy Sacrament in case of actual need. That might happen during particularly crowded Masses, or when the Minister is not able to fulfill his duties, such as a dying man that wants to receive the Eucharist or other contexts where there are more sick people to communicate and not enough priests to do that. A Priest must issue the mandate to the extraordinary minister. For a permanent mandate, the chosen person must be at least twenty-five, for a temporary one it is enough to be twenty-one. Of course, he has to be a morally worthy and appropriate person, since he will have to communicate the others. At the same time, it will be enough to wear clothes that are appropriate for the celebration and express respect and devotion.
Absolutely yes. Since the Council of Trento, the Church itself stated that they didn’t have the power to change the tradition of wheat bread, even though in time the idea of other flours was evaluated, especially in those regions and cultures where wheat is not regularly used. But it was decided to avoid that. After all, point 282 of the Roman Missal says: “The bread for celebrating the Eucharist must be made only from wheat, must be recently baked, and, according to the ancient tradition of the Latin Church, must be unleavened.” The Church condemns any too casual interpretation of the rule, and admonished those Ministers of the Church who tried to make their hosts more desirable by adding sugar or honey, or even aromatized with fruits. In Holland, they even tried to switch the Mass wine with beer! The intervention by Pope Francis cast every doubt: with a circular letter from the Congregation for the Divine Worship, the Holy Father reaffirmed that: “The bread, that is the host, must be unleavened, purely of wheat and recently made, so that there is no danger of decomposition.”
You can receive up to two Communions per day, as long as they are both during a Holy Mass. Actually since 1967 there is no maximum number of Masses that can be attended in one day, but there is a rule for the number of times you can receive the Communion. It is advised not to exceed two Communions, as it might result in an excess of devotion that could make lose sight on the real value of the act. This is valid for priests as well; they can only celebrate two masses per day, only if necessary, and therefore can receive a maximum of two Communions per day. The Code of Canon Law says:” Apart from those cases in which the law allows him to celebrate or concelebrate the Eucharist a number of times on the same day, a priest may not celebrate more than once a day. If there is a scarcity of priests, the local Ordinary may for a good reason allow priests to celebrate twice in one day” (Canon 905) In this matter, such as in many others concerning faith, it’s not quantity that counts, but quality. It is better to receive Communion once a week, but with your heart ready and your soul entirely dedicated to God, rather than multiple times a day, but with the wrong attitude.
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Communion is the highest and solemn moment in a Mass, when bread turns into Christ’s Body. Here are a few mistakes we should avoid when approaching Eucharist.
The Eucharist. The Blessed Sacrament. Holy Communion.
Whatever we choose to call it, it is undoubtedly the most profound and solemn moment of the Mass. During the consecration, transubstantiation takes place—the miracle in which bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. This is the moment when the faithful are invited to approach the Mystery of all mysteries, participating in the gift that renews, time after time, a promise of love and salvation that has endured for over two thousand years. The altar, the chalice, the pyx, the paten, all become instruments of an ancient ritual, yet always new, which is consumed in front of the devotees’ eyes, but mostly in their hearts and souls yearning to be a part of it. Jesus’ sacrifice is consumed in front of His children, in a solemn and emotional atmosphere. For those who really believe, for those who feel that the white bread is not just water and flour anymore, but the Holy Spirit invested it with something deeper and more powerful, it is hard to keep emotions inside. That’s how it is, the moment of the communion is always special, even after years that it is repeated at every celebration. Or, at least, it should be so.
There are different ways to get closer to the Holy Sacrament, different ways to welcome Christ’s Body: taking it into our hands, letting the priest gently put it on our tongue, storing it until we get back to our seat. It all comes down to two options: receive the communion in a respectful or in a disrespectful way.
No one judges personal choices, the little pet-peeves we carry throughout our lives, and that most of the times are harmless. This is not the point then. Since ancient times, in the first Christian communities, people who approached Eucharist were recommended to do so with great respect and devotion. Hands should be clean and placed to resemble a cross, women’s hands should be wrapped in a veil, and in general, it was fundamental to avoid any act that could desecrate Christ’s Body in that solemn moment. In order to reduce that possibility to the minimum, in the Medieval age it was mandatory to kneel down and receive the communion directly in one’s mouth, to express all of the devotion and respect that such an occasion required.
Later, the Vatican II granted the dioceses the freedom to decide whether to allow the devotees to receive the Host in their hands or directly in their mouth.
But, as we mentioned, receiving the Host in our hands or in our mouth is just one of the aspects concerning the right or wrong way to get close to the Holy Sacrament. Besides how we choose to receive the Host, the attitude we have when we do that is more important. What we are about to receive is Christ’s Body, in each single part, in each crumb. To do that we must be careful, give faith and respect with every act, show adoration and decency.
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem wrote this already in the IV century a.C.:“When you get closer, don’t go forward with the palms of your hands stretched out, nor with your fingers apart; instead, with your left hand make a throne for your right hand, because this hand must receive the King and, in the cavity of your hand, receive Christ’s Body saying Amen. Sanctify your eyes carefully then, through the contact with the Holy Body, then take it and be careful not to miss any of it. If you were given specks of gold, wouldn’t you be taking them with the utmost care, paying attention not to lose anything and not damaging them? Won’t you be paying much more attention to something more precious than gold and hard stones, so that you will not miss even a crumb of it? After having connected to Christ’s Body, […] while waiting for the sermon, give your thanks to God, who considered you worthy of such great mysteries.”
That because each consecrated Host is Christ’s Body and Blood, His Soul and His Divinity. Jesus is entirely present in it, as the Council of Trent stated:“ If any one denieth, that, in the sacrament of the most holy Eucharist, are contained truly, really, and substantially, the body and blood together with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and consequently the whole Christ; let him be anathema”. (D. 883)
The Council also says that Christ is present in any single fragment, any crumb of the Host. Also in this case, denying this statement is worthy of an excommunication. Transubstantiation makes sure that Christ’s Body replaces bread substance itself, and as bread substance stays the same even in its single crumbs, so all Christ is contained in each part, as small as it can be, of the Host, broken into pieces and crushed.
Even after the Mass, consecrated hosts that have not been given keep storing Christ’s Body in them, and for that reason they must be properly stored in the Tabernacle, where they are worshipped.
In addition, Hosts fragments fallen during the distribution must not be stepped onto nor swept away, because that would be a serious profanation.
So what should we do or not do when receiving the communion, in order not to lack respect that would ruin not only the act itself, but Christ’s Body, which we are about to receive?
