Feature Thursday: Carmelite Scapulars

UPDATE: Aurelius Cabrini is changing platforms. We are in the process of moving the store to our Facebook page.  If you would like to order a scapular, please contact me.  They should be listed in the Facebook shop very soon. Thank you.

I have closely been considering what my shop needs and why it exists.  It is part of my business plan to further its development through careful planning.  In the end, it's mission is the same as this blog, to further God's Kingdom through promotion of vocations and service to the LORD.  This shop is for Jesus, more than for me.  I have fully given it over to Him.  Yes, the profit benefit my family, but I want it to benefit my soul more.

That is why I am so happy to feature our Carmelite nun made brown scapulars today.  These scapulars are lovingly made by hand by the sisters. They are selling the scapulars to earn money and build a special project.

The sisters are seeking to raise funds in order to build a modern convalescence home for patients with dementia. The home will also provide palliative care, rehabilitation, and assisted living. This home will serve 133 seniors.

At present, the sisters are in desperate need of funds to keep their current mother house open as well as to pursue this initiative.  All profits from the scapulars will be disbursed to the sisters.  I am donating all etsy fees incurred to give the sisters a bit more.

I ask you to please consider purchasing a scapular and supporting these beautiful brides of Christ.

Each scapular is hand made with reinforced stitching and pure wool backing.  Each scapular has a St Bendict medal sewn safely inside. We will include instructions of enrollment as well.

If anyone has any questions or would like to place a bulk order, please contact me for more information.

Thank you so much for supporting this effort and may God bless you!

My week in #7QT

Ok, so I am linking up with Kelly to bring you a little glimpse at the past 8 days at the Veils and Vocations homestead.

1

Last Friday, Cowgirl spent a day at the Parish Visitors convent.  She had a great time at the "girls day."  What an amazing experience for young girls.  This meant 4 hours in the car but it was well worth it.

2

The weekend was so busy.  I racked up another 8+ hours in the car those two days.  Good thing we have the van with plenty of room and decent fuel economy! Sunday, the boys had a fishing derby at a friend's farm for Troop of St George.  Everyone needs a friend with a farm.

3

Monday we tried to just catch our breath after a crazy few days.  I had that travel hang-over you get from long road trips but we were local and home the whole time. I should note that in our neck of the woods anything under an hour is considered local.

4

Had my first link up on #BeautyTuesday  Did you miss it?  Check it out and please be sure to come back next Tuesday!

There was that little incident with the fire ants,  four ticks, a broken glass, a maimed ceramic bunny, and a slow cooker dinner that finished cooking about 20 mins after we ate a makeshift meal, but hey, all in all, nothing worth noting happened around here.

5

End of the year recital for our fine arts school took most of our day followed by Buddy's Irish step class.  I truly appreciate that my children have these opportunities but I am so ready for summer vacation.  Eight hours at fine arts school followed by a step class is a REALLY long day with my littles.

6

Thursday was the type of day made for a warm quilt, a cup of tea, and a good book.  None of those happened but that was the type of day it was--rainy and dark.  

I spent a lot of time setting up social media accounts for my etsy shop and mobilizing the troops to lean up the mess that is trailed throughout the house after so many hectic days.

7

It's Friday, again.  We are supposed to go to riding but it is still damp and rainy.  However, we are packing up for a road trip adventure to visit family this holiday weekend.  I will probably drive less this weekend on our out of state trip than I did last weekend just staying local.

Say a little prayer for me.  This is my first solo road trip with all four kiddos.  Little Lady's first road trip ever--although she is well acquainted with car rides thanks to her very social and active siblings.

How is your week going?  Any plans for the holiday weekend?

To all my readers who serve or have spouses or children who do, thank you for your service!

 

Teaching Vocations through Family Part 1

This is the first part of a new series on teaching vocations.  I hope that this will help you in your walk of faith and in helping your children find God's Call for their lives.  Thank you.

In the Beginning

The family is the very core of Creation.  In the beginning, the LORD, Our Father, spoke the words of creation, which were sent forth by the Spirit, the Holy Spouse, in order to bring forth life.  All creatures were brought forth into families--male and female together for the propagation and rearing of offspring.  God's crowning jewel of Creation was the first family, Adam and Eve who were instructed to go forth and multiply and fill the earth with their children.  Family is the heart of all that we believe, so it is no wonder that every vocation is rooted in the context of family.

When we speak of raising our children for vocation, most often that implies the holy vocations of the priesthood, and holy sisters and brothers.  However, every child is created and called for a specific vocation.  Every child is sent forth by the Father to construct a family in this world and to lead that family into the Heavenly realms of the next.

Marriage was the first vocation instituted by God.  Adam and Eve were given to each other in service and love for the purpose of producing offspring for the LORD.  There were no priests before the Fall, for the LORD God walked throughout the Garden of Eden.  Man for the first and last time since the dawn of time, could freely meet with God face to face.  Adam and Eve's purpose was not only to serve each other, but to lead each other in praise and obedience to God.  Their children were meant to be raised up for Heaven and to spread the perfect Love of the Father to the ends of the earth.  However, instead they were tempted, turned from God to self, and were forever banished from paradise.  Marriage is still a holy and worthy vocation, it is necessary for the Church here on earth to continue and for saints to be brought forth to guide us in this journey, and then stand with the LORD in Heaven.

Once man was cast out and stained with sin, the doors of Heaven were locked and the face of God concealed.  Thus, the vocation of the priesthood arose.  Priests in the Old Covenant were the people's one link to God, their only means of communicating with their Creator.  Priests now are ministers of the mercy and grace of Christ, who celebrate the ultimate sacrifice each day for the Church, the Body of Christ, the family of the Living God.  Priests are wed to the Holy Mother Church.  Their vocation is to bring forth spiritual children and raise them up for the Kingdom, teaching them to serve God and man.  Priests must sacrifice, just as any spouse does, their will for the good of the other.  They must be fruitful and multiply in spiritual terms, shepherding their flock.  This is why they are called "father."

{p, h, f, r} The Beautiful Doll Edition

I was recently asked to do a post about a new doll company and thought, "Why not make it into a {p, h, f, r} post?"  I am a doll lover!!! ( I know, technically, I cannot love a doll because it is incapable of sharing emotions, but the English language is so limited in this capacity).  So I am pleased to introduce Dolls from Heaven and their heavenly dolls.

PRETTY

The picture speaks for itself as far as beauty, but let me add a little information.  This is the first prototype doll.  She is St Therese.  Who doesn't love St Therese?  (Yes, I know I used the same word, and this time it was genuine, lets come up with a new, useful word to add to our lexicon instead of all these texting abbreviations, please!) She is gorgeous.  Her habit is well designed with much attention to detail.  At $100, she easily competes with those other 18" dolls that are quickly loosing their appeal in my opinion.  This is a doll that can be treasured for many years and speak to a child's heart!

HAPPY

  I am happy that the company has designed a second outfit for the doll as well as lovely accessories.  The second outfit, which is so beautiful, is only $28.  That is a bargain compared to many doll clothes on the market and so much more appealing. I really appreciate dolls that inspire imagination, who lead girls away from the everyday and to a kinder, gentler place.  I also really appreciate that she comes with a book, a story to bring the dolls to life.

FUNNY

My daughter has been systematically giving away all of her doll collection--not that she was ever much of a doll aficionado.  She had a couple, but they were mostly just around to ride the toy horses, which were the main attraction.  I am pining to own one of these beautiful dolls and searching for a reason that I must buy one!  Every time I see I beautiful, Catholic, doll accessory or outfit, I try very hard to talk Cowgirl into reconsidering her position on playing with dolls.  It isn't working.  BUT, I see that there are some male saint dolls in the works as well.  I'm thinking that Little Man will need one of these at some point--whether he wants it or not!  LOL!   Unless an 18" doll is an appropriate gift for a blogger turning 40 in less than a year--not that I know any bloggers turning 40, I'm only 29.  My husband can attest to it ;)  (I'm hoping St Peter can overlook that little white lie.) 

REAL

Without your support, this faithfilled and beautiful venture will not get off the ground.  Please consider pre-ordering a doll or book or even just donating a bit of money to help this family fulfill their dream.   Go to their Indegogo campaign page and do your part in bringing light into this dark world for our children.  Thank you!

Giving so Other May Serve

You know that I have a heart for religious vocations!  Peter Lyons is running a fundraising campaign to help him begin his priestly discernment.  This boy is such a polished, eloquent young man.

When I donated, although I wish I could have paid for the whole trip, Peter sent me a personal email. It was not a form letter, it was a heartfelt message. He thanked me, promised to pray for me, and then named exact times and places where he would pray for my intentions.  Who couldn't use a some extra prayer, especially when offered by a soul so ablazed for Christ!

We need priests, we pray for priests, let's help get more!  I know that there are so many in need. At times, the health of need is overwhelming. The unbelievable stories of loss and hardship can be more than one can bear!  However, there is always hope. God will always prevail, and while we must respond to those knocked down and bloodied by this fallen world, how much greater it is to raise up light to outshine the darkness.  If you have anything, even $2, $5, or $10, please consider sharing with Peter.


What can those few dollars buy you?  Will they really alter the coarse of your life?  Your few dollars paired with a few dollars from others could change the coarse of history in the hands on this young man.  Support him in learning how to serve Christ with his life and all that he is. We need courageous young people, Peter is a model of such.  If you truly cannot give, please pray for Peter. It may be that God has other plans. Perhaps He will provide the funds in a way we cannot even dream.  Perhaps God has a path prepared that doesn't include Rome, or the priesthood. Perhaps Christ will meet Peter and call him to drop his nets and follow in the coarse of ordinary daily chores and a local, familiar shore. Whatever God's Plan, pray for Peter to have the doors to his vocation flung open and fully funded!  God bless!

Go Fund Peter and send the Good News to the ends of the earth!

Teaching Vocations: A Baptism Kit for under $5

Our Father's House has a baptism kit that is just as beautiful as its Mass Kit. However, it costs $75. I have been wanting to purchase it for sometime, but have never had the money to do so.  It was something that I wanted the children to have, though, especially with Buddy beginning preparation for First Holy Communion.  So, I created a small, simple set for the children. It is not fancy in the least, but cost less than $5, so if anything gets lost or broken, it can easily be replaced. In fact, for $5, I ended up with plenty of spare parts.

We went to Dollar Tree and purchased a set of two clear plastic bowls, a set of pill cases, a spool of wide white ribbon, and a two pack of battery operated candles. At home, we found a sheet of white felt, a large clam shell (leftover from stuffed clams), gold fabric paint, and permanent markers.

The first step was to separate the pill cases and paint two gold for the chrism. I was disappointed that in fact only one of the pill cases had a lid and the rest just screwed into each other, but it will still work.

Next, we cut about five feet of white ribbon and finished the ends with the a little help from the gas stove burner. Quickly pass the ribbon through the fire and it will seal and stop any fraying.

On the two ends of the ribbon, we painted gold crosses.

We then drew an outline on the white felt to cut it for the baptism garment and cut it with sharp scissors.

With permanent markers, we drew symbols of baptism as decoration.  It is really too big to use for a small doll like we will, in hindsight, I should have only used half a sheet of felt.

We then painted the shell gold with the same paint.

Finally, with the permanent markers, we decorated the two candles. The one on the left is the Pascal candle and on the right, the baptism candle for the newly baptized.

I found a pdf file of the Rite of Baptism, here. With that printed out, the baptisms are ready  to begin. Everything fits into the bowl and is sturdy enough for young hands.

Teaching Vocations: Godly Dress Up Part 2

There are many "nun" costumes out there but, let's be honest, how many are quality ones.  As I looked around for dress up items to include in this post, I was reminded of when Cowgirl wanted a Native American dress up outfit. She has a genuine interest and love for all things Native American. Makes me wonder if somewhere down the line there is some Native American blood in our family tree. When she began asking for an outfit, I showed her some that were online and we discussed why they weren't very realistic or even appropriate. I told her that to do it correctly and learn alot in the process, we would design an outfit systematically.

First, I had Cowgirl decide which tribe she wanted to imitate. She chose the Nimipuu, or Nez Perce, since Kaya is one of her favorite American Girls.  We then looked at photographs and drawings of different outfits and discussed the purpose of each.  Since I couldn't afford real deerskin, she had to settle for felt and pony beads, but we made the outfit as close to the picture she selected as we could. We counted how many beads were in each design and what colors were used. In the end, it would not have won any costuming awards but she had a blast wearing it and had learned much about the real people who wore the similar outfits.

My point is, when getting costumes for dress up, make sure that they have some authenticity to them. You can even do as we did by selecting an order and creating your own outfit. It does not have to be fancy, nor expertly sewn, or even sewn at all. However, if you and your daughter learn about the order it represents and how they serve God it will foster a deeper appreciation of consecrated life and add richness to the pretend play.

Here are my suggestions for girls' dress up in the vocation realm:

Faithfulfindz has a number of saint costumes such as St Therese, Blessed Mother Teresa, and St Rose of Lima that could be used as habit costumes for the respective orders.

Catholic Costumes has a wide array of items and links for many habits and includes information about which saints were from each order.

Our Coat of Many Colors has gorgeous, well made costumes for many saints and orders. They also feature costumes for boys.

Coming next week, Cowgirl and I are going to put together a tutorial on making a dress up habit along with suggestions on how to adapt it for other orders. Please stay tuned. Thanks for visiting.

Teaching Vocations: Godly Dress Up

Do your children like to dress up? Mine do.  I know there are some who are against children "playing Mass", I know because my husband used to be one of them. However, children learn by playing, grow in understanding by imitation.  If imitation is the highest form of flattery, wouldn't you rather your child imitate their favorite priest as a hero instead of a comic strip character?  My children have a wide collection of dress up items where they dress up as everything from Laura Ingalls to St Therese.  I have never gotten them actual religious dress up items, but I hope to this Christmas. So, here is my post on ideas I have found around the web.

Vestments

There are several shops selling vestments that range from ornate to simple, here's a sampling:

Faithfulfindz has a collection of vestments and saint costumes. They are beautifully made and so colorful. Also, these are the most reasonably priced one's on etsy.

If you have a little more money, you must check out Vestments for Juniors.  These are amazingly intricately designed vestments for children, including bishop 's mustard, and altar boy surplices.  Beautiful!

Now, I know for many of us, me included, it isn't possible to spend $55-$100 on dress up vestments. That is why I was thrilled to find a post on Catholic Sistas on how to make a no sew fiddleback vestments. The tutorial can be found here .  I am hoping to make one for Buddy, soon. A whole set would be even better, and since it is reversible, you would only need to make three. The only changes I would make, would be to use fusible web on the fabric to add body and durability. Fusible web also eliminates all the gluing around the edges. I would also attach embellishments with both fabric glue and hot glue for the same reason.

Well, I have a whole post about costumes for girls, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. The Kindle is stretching my patience and I am trying very hard not to lose it! :)  See you soon!

Teaching Vocations: The Mass Kit

Here is a quick Favorite 5 list of Mass kits for kids.  I planned a longer post but am fighting something fierce and can only make it through a quick one, so bear with me.  More to come soon.

This is a truly exquisite set from Our Father's House. If you have the means to purchase on, it is a true treasure.

This is the Mass Kit that I bought for Buddy. Not as fancy but still beautiful. I like how it includes the stoles to match the liturgical seasons. You can find it here on etsy. 

Speaking of etsy, this is a new find there. What I like best about this set is that the variables are also included (including white, which is lacking in the set above) and since everything is felt it is extremely durable. You can purchase this set here.

For the very young, there is this stuffed set.  I have been admiring it for Little Man for quiet some time. We have purchased a few of the rice filled saints dolls for boo-boos, and I also like the fabric books! Check out the shop here!

If you have never visited Catholic Icing, you must. Lacy has a beautiful plan for a homemade Mass Kit for only a small fraction of the cost of any others.  She also has a plan for a mini-travel Mass Kit here.  I plan on making some of these items to round out our own collection.

So, that's my very fast post.  Later this week, I will be posting a very inexpensive diy baptism set. Come back and join us, soon.

Coming Soon, A New Series: Teaching Vocations

So, my real passion and desire is to create a treasure chest of resources for leading little ones to vocations.  I am working on a series of posts for both boys and girls to do just that. My hope is to eventually write a book for children about the different orders, something that would have fascinated me as a child and even now.  I started this blog after searching for years to find these resources but never finding what I really wanted. So, please return in the next few days to see the start of this series--just in time for the Year of Consecrated Life starting this Advent.

I apologize for the lack of good graphics lately, my computer is being serviced by a dear friend, so maybe soon, I can get back to using Paint and a real keyboard. :)

If you have not done so already, please enter the Lilla Rose giveaway!

An Explaination of the Mantilla for Children

Throughout history, women and girls have kept their heads covered to protect them from the weather but also to show honor to God.  A girl's long, beautiful hair is like a princess' crown.  It crowns her with glory and makes her special.  God designed every girl to be one of His most beautiful creatures.  When a girl covers her hair it does not make her less beautiful, it makes her more special.  She is showing that she is special and God's princess, but also set apart for God.

 

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Mary, Our Blessed Mother, has always appeared with her head covered.  She is the most beloved and special of any woman to ever have lived or that ever will live.  Her veil is a symbol of her fiat, her saying the most precious "yes" to God.  Mary said yes not just to being Jesus' mother, but to serving God always in every way.  She gave her whole self to God for His Plan, that is why she is most blessed.



When women and girls veil it is not to draw attention to themselves but to draw attention to God and that in turn makes them even more beautiful and radiant.  Mantillas are beautiful works of art in themselves.  They are a unique and attractive way that God sets girls apart and shows how precious they are.  The beauty of the lace conceals and amplifies, or make better, the beauty of the girl wearing it.

 

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As it says above, generations and generations of girls and women covered their heads.  In the south of Europe, it is very hot most of the year.  So, mantillas were created because they were a way to show modesty and honor, but the light, lacy fabric made them more comfortable to wear in the heat.  Popularity of mantillas for worship spread throughout the world and became the standard way that Catholic women and girls covered their heads.  In America, the tradition ended a few decades ago, but it beginning to come back again.  In Spain, mantillas are still worn for all of Holy Week, to bull fights, and other religious ceremonies and worship.

 

Traditionally, young and unmarried girls wore white mantillas, and married women and widows wore black.  However, today there are so many colors to choose from.  Many different styles, colors, shapes, and variations of mantillas exist but all for the same purpose, to veil the sacred and special.  Until recently, everything in the Church that was most special was veiled in exquisite lace and quality fabrics.  The most decorative veils were reserved for the Tabernacle, where Christ is present in the Eucharist, and the precious vessels that hold the consecrated Hosts for Communion, which is also the living Jesus.

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If you see someone with a mantilla and you want to ask questions, do so politely, I am sure that she would love to explain why she wears it, where she bought it, and what the devotion means to her.  If you are interested in wearing a mantilla yourself, talk to your mom and look online.  There are so many, many shops online that offer beautiful mantillas in all different price ranges.  The most important thing to remember about wearing the veil is that it is a devotion to God and an outward sign of an inner commitment to serve and love Him with all you have.  You may feel a little self conscious at first, especially if not many other girls are veiling, but I think you will quickly see that the veil draws your attention to the altar and your thoughts to God, and soon you will be so involved in the Mass you will forget about what anyone else thinks.

If any girls have questions, please leave them in the comment box or email me.  I am happy to answer or I could have my daughter answer.  Thanks and have a blessed week.

One Sister Can Change the World

At the heart of my blogging is the hope to inspire others to pursue the religious life.  I prayed and thought deeply for years about joining a religious order and living the consecrated life.  In fact, for 95% of our engagement, my husband and I spent time considering and praying for vocations. We both felt that we might have been called for religious vocations and did not want to marry until we were sure that marriage and children was our God ordained vocation.  I have children that I want to lead deeper to the faith, but also that I want to open up the door to possibly serve as a priest, nun, deacon, etc.  It has been difficult to find any resources to help in teaching about the vast opportunities for girls in vocations.  I began Veils and Vocations as a means to explore that very topic and bring the resources I did find to other mothers, like me, who were searching for them.

Enter the Imagine Sisters Movement!

This is exactly what I have been looking for and am so excited to share.  Imagine Sisters is a group whose aim is to introduce the possibility of religious vocations to girls, answer questions, make connections, and open doors. It is not just for those in religious life, nor only young women discerning the call, it is for everyone.  Without religious vocations, where will our church be?  If you think one consecrated woman cannot change the world, consider the impact that Mother Teresa had not just on our church but on the entire world stage.  Not every sister is called to such a great task but many are called and do not have the resources to discern their vocations.  I hope to get involved with the movement and I look forward to sharing more from them, however, right now I am pleading on their behalf for some help.  The Pope has declared 2015 the Year of Consecrated Life ( I did not know that until I  visited their site, but by am I pumped!) and so Imagine Sisters is trying to raise the funds they need to get their resources out to all who are interested.  Please consider giving even just a few dollars--you never know who will be touched, it just may be that one sister who changes the world!

Here is the link to their donation page, please view the video and prayerfully give even if all you have to give is prayer!  Thank you.