Comments on: Have Virgin Mary Paraphernelia: Will Display

By: Lacey Louwagie

Lacey Louwagie — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:16:32 +0000

Ha, I thought you might appreciate the Virgin Mary night light. :)

By: Theodora Ranelli

Theodora Ranelli — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:48:02 +0000

I love your Virgin Mary statue! I love sacramentals (my home is drowning in them). Welcome to the fold.

I enjoy your reflection on images, something I can never give up!

By: Lacey Louwagie

Lacey Louwagie — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:57:17 +0000

Thank you for your thoughtful reflection. I like your take about sacramentals being a reminder to pray. Although I haven’t been able to put words to it, I think my motivation to keep and display these objects comes from a similar place–really, a desire to be reminded of where I come from spiritually, that I am a spiritual being no matter how distracted I get by worldly concerns, and that I’m not ever really alone or abandoned.

By: Lacey Louwagie

Lacey Louwagie — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:53:18 +0000

I’m not sure where exactly my godmother got this lamp. I searched it for clues, and there is a sticker on the bottom of it that says, “Sanmyro, Japan,” which is probably the company. I wonder if a search of “Sanmyro Virgin Mary Lamp,” would help you hunt one down. Thanks for your comment!

By: Jerry Francis

Jerry Francis — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:20:11 +0000

Lacey, I’m impressed. Sacramentals such as these are not often seen in peoples homes any more. I have a few around my house but I have to admit they are far more subtle than what you have done. These include things like ceramic banners of Faith, Hope and Love or my wife’s friend’s needlework of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. I will admit that I do have more obvious ones such as your grandmother more discreetly placed in my bedroom (now you have me thinking). For me personally, they are reminders to pray for whatever comes to mind as I pass by. God’s grandeur, beauty and love for us is everywhere in creation, yet it seems like we need religious imagery or places to remind ourselves of this and our own role. I have to continuously remember that we are the Church and our job is to be faithful to Christ in our lives but we must also listen to the whispers that help us shape our Church (ourselves) to this image. As an older middle age man, this may be old school but each one of us may perhaps seem to be unique to each other but are all loved equally by God. Based on what you have posted, my personal takeaway is that this is the message that your well placed sacramentals are saying about you and your relationship to God and neighbor. There is no doubt in my mind that anyone that passes by will know you love them regardless of what they may think about you.

Peace,
Jerry

By: Phillip Clark

Phillip Clark — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:43:32 +0000

Haha I know how you feel Lacey! People seem bewildered, puzzled, and downright freaked out by the dichotome that is my room. On one side I have an two icons: the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child and Christ Himself holding the Gospels, and a crucifix in between them. On the other side I have an Obama poster, my Catholic calendar, and posters of David Beckham, James Franco, and Zac Efron. =P And having just come back from National Equality March in D.C. on Sunday I now have an LGBT Rainbow Flag in my room next to the Star Spangled Banner!

So don’t feel alone, diversity and being unique is a good thing! (even if it freaks our friends out sometimes…)

By: rdl68010

rdl68010 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:05:33 +0000

Very cool. Where can I get a lamp like the one in your picture? Jesus’s unconditional give of love and salavational is a free gift to all who will accept it! As a baptized Catholic you share in a holy priesthood! Lovin it! -Another Gay Catholic!