Returning from Rome ~ Postcards on Their Way ~ SASE Gifts
"With the apostolic blessing, the Holy Father will also bless the rosary beads and objects of devotion which you have brought with you"
CIAO ~ HELLO ~ BONJOUR!
I have been home here in New Orleans for over 24 hours now, so it’s time to “get busy.” First, thanks to all who participated in our Postcards from Rome idea. Those cards have surely left the Vatican by now and are in the mail. Also, an update about those SASE’s you mailed in for souvenirs from our pilgrimage.
Your gifts will be mailed soon, we will be sending colorful chaplets, intricate four-way crosses, rosaries, scapulars, cards, and saint medals, of course. Plus, communion wafers blessed by Pope Francis I (more on that later). The chaplets are our favorite gift to send. They are multi-colored and we may be adding some extra flair by replacing their small silver crosses with brightly enameled crosses we bought.
FULL DISCLOSURE ABOUT
THE ENAMELED CROSSES:
We did not paint or make the colorful enameled crosses! So, once they are gone, they are likely gone for good.
NOT SO GREAT NEWS ABOUT THE TEN NEWLY CANONIZED SAINT MEDALS:
I do not recall this ever happening before but we did not find medals for any of the new saints! That was disappointing. I’m not sure why they did not have any of the medals. Maybe it is one of those “COVID Supply Chain Interruption” issues. We’ll keep looking.
The good news is we have finished Saint William and Saint Angela, whom we are calling the patron saint of Led Zeppelin, because her life story includes a “Stairway to Heaven” theme.
COMMUNION WAFERS
I always buy a bunch of medals and other items to bring to the canonizations because if they go to the canonization, and if I participate in the mass, and receive communion ( I did ), then those items are considered “Blessed” by Pope Francis.
Now, before the skeptics (we have a few) start getting all aflutter, let me say that I did not buy these wafers. I did not ask for them and I tried to return them when they were given. Still the saleslady and the priests at the sales counter all insisted I take the wafers. I took the wafers. They’re blessed and I will send one with every order until they’re gone. Or, once again, mail me a SASE and I’ll send you one back to you in the envelope you send.
That’s all for now. I’ll be writing a bit more frequently to tell some stories about the Canonizations. I took great photos, I met wonderful people, I humbled myself, I laughed and cried and had a cathartic emotional day. The emotions are lingering and that’s a very nice fact, so thanks for inspiring me!
Philip Neri, Hand-Painted Saint Medal, The Apostle of Rome, Patron of Comedians
Saints for Sinners$29.95
Miraculous Medal - Small, Hand-Painted Saint Medal, Blessed Virgin Mary, Special Grace
Saints for Sinners$29.95