Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday...sorrow, humility, repentence, a day of fast, the first day of the 40 days of Lent as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. Ashes are associated throughout the Old Testament with repentence, usually while wearing sackcloth. For 40 days, we will remember our humble place in this world, fast for spiritual growth, and sacrifice in remembrance of Jesus' life for our redemption.

On Ash Wednesday, ashes are blessed, mixed with either holy oil or water, and traditionally imposed on the forehead with the sign of the cross. The ashes are made by burning palm branches blessed during the previous year's Palm Sunday. When the priest imposes the ashes he says either "remember man you are dust, and to dust you will return" (Genesis), or "turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel" (Mark).


Fasting has a long history in the Church. In the Book of Acts, it was while "worshipping the Lord and fasting" that the Holy Spirit led the Apostles to set Paul and Barnabas apart for their work. In Matthew, Jesus assumes that after he leaves the earth his followers will fast. The history of the Church is filled with stories of fasting and its spiritual value. However, Jesus warns us not to be obvious about our fasting, or only fasting to impress others. Thus, Ash Wednesday is based on the biblical concept of repentance, and the ashes and fasting that are associated with repentance.

Jesus condemned the Pharisees for being hypocritical in their fasting. They would purposely make themselves look pale and sickly, to show they were fasting. All of this was for the appearance of spirituality, even though their hearts were impure, and they were fasting with pride. Jesus tells us to fast in a way that is not obvious. The ashes given during the Ash Wednesday represent repentance, not an advertisement that one is fasting. We must remember Jesus' guidance to fast so that it may not be seen by men, but by our Father; and our Father who sees in secret will reward us.



The Jerusalem Cross

Turquoise & Sterling Silver Wirewrapped Bracelet with Jerusalem Cross

The Jerusalem cross is also known as the Crusaders' Cross, because it was on the papal banner given to the Crusaders by Pope Urban II for the First Crusade, and was a symbol of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. The four smaller crosses symbolize the four books of the Gospel or the four directions the Word of Christ spread from Jerusalem. Alternately, all five crosses symbolize the five wounds of Christ during the Passion.

Featured in an Etsy Treasury

One of my favorite rosaries is being featured in a beautiful Etsy treasury named, "Heaven." Check it out. Angelo's Treasures made great selections. (It's my aqua terra jasper and bronze sun rosary.)

Angelo's Treasures "Heaven" Treasury

Etsy Rosary Guild Team: February Give Away Contest

Etsy Rosary Guild Team: February Give Away Contest: "February Give Away Prizedonated byManifest Rosaries Welcome to our February Give Away Contest. This month's prize was donated by Kristen o..."

February's Special Birthstone - Amethyst

Amethyst is the stone of the Apostle St. Matthias, the Guardian Angel Adnachiel, and the beautiful birthstone of February. 


The amethyst is a violet extravagance. For many thousands of years, the amethyst has been the most striking representative of the large quartz family and a jewel coveted by princes both ecclesiastical and secular. Moses described it as a symbol of the Spirit of God in the official robes of the High Priest of the Jews, and the Russian Empress Catherine the Great sent thousands of miners into the Ural mountains to look for it. In ancient times, amethyst was already being engraved and cut into sculptured forms. In earlier times, people liked to drink wine from amethyst cups, which speaks of the stone's folklore of protection against alcoholism or drunkenness.

There was a time when amethyst was rare, but it has been found in many areas in recent years, and therefore, it's availability is no longer limited. This is the reason many of us remember when amethyst commanded much higher prices, and its expanded availability has enjoyably put it within reach of many more consumers. Deep clear amethysts may be easier to locate, but certainly they remain one of the most coveted gemstones, from mineral specimens to faceted gems to beads.

Etsy Rosary Guild Team's January Giveaway!

Visit the link to see the beautiful bracelet donated by Heartfelt Rosaries, a member of our Etsy Rosary Guild Team. Participate by commenting...so easy. Good luck!

Garnet is January's Birthstone

Garnet is the Stone of the Apostle St. Andrew and the Guardian Angel Ambriel. St. Andrew's feast day is November 30th and garnet is the birthstone for January. Garnet is likely to have been the "carbuncle" of the ancients and in the first row of the Pectoral of Judgment or Aaron's Breastplate, representing one of the twelve Hebrew tribes. (Ruby is also sometimes said to have been "carbuncle.")


The garnet group includes a group of minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. Garnets can be used by geologists as a gauge of how much temperature and pressure the rock has endured. As a gemstone, garnets are highly refractive, hard, have pretty colors, are wonderfully transparent, lack cleavage and are durable; thus making good candidates for gemstones. Garnets vary greatly in colors and varieties and many of these are both rare and beautiful, producing genuinely precious gemstones.