Friday, January 24, 2014

Totally and utterly smitten with these......

Does anyone know what these were/are meant to be used for? Are they just a collectible or do people take these to church with them? I should know, being Catholic, but I realized when my dh asked me, "What are they for?" that I really had no clue.


 I took a day just for me yesterday and went to visit my sister at the coast to do some much needed shopping. Can I just tell you that after all of the cold and fog we've had for the past couple of weeks it felt like springtime over there! It was 57 and sunny....bright sun and a wonderful breeze. I wanted to stay!
We hit a lot of the antique shops and a thrift and in one of them I found these and was so happy.



Is this not beautiful? It's in mint condition!

Love the combination of felt, ribbon, and the angel on this one.


Darling with the pink bow. And amazing that some of these are still on their original cards.

Happy, happy! I have plans to do special things with these!

16 comments:

Rhonda said...

Gail, these are scapulars. I love them but like you I believe Catholics wore them in church. I just don't know why.

I started collecting them and then I started creating my own version. They are beautiful and fascinating to me.

I love your collection, what a great find!!!

Vintage Market Place said...

Gail you make me laugh so hard. I wouldn't have a clue what or how they were used but I bet you will come up with something amazing for them.
Amy

Kathy said...

I have never seen them before and agree they are gorgeous. I see that Rhonda said they are "scapulars" so I have to go Google that now...

Blessed Serendipity said...

Gail these are beautiful. They are holy little works of art often referred to as a "sacramental". Something that reminds us of God's love. These items most likely would have been blessed and placed somewhere in the home where they would be noticed and appreciated. Beautiful find.

xo Danielle

pina69 said...

I have a huge collection! If u r interested you can find me on Instagram as sapori di pona or Pinterest as Cristina Becchio and my main emailadress cbecchio@bluewin.ch

calley12 said...

Those small envelopes were for church offerings. My Mother had one crocheted that pinned on whatever she was wearing she put her change in it for Church on Sunday.

anglesey919 said...
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KCrosas said...

Gail, What a beautiful find of scapulars! There are two type of scapular (meaning from shoulders) monastic and devotional. We wear these as protection and our devotion to God.

Sister Rose Therese said...
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Sister Rose Therese said...

Hello,
I am a Catholic Sister, who happens to love these little embroidered images.
Just a bit of a correction. What you are showing there are actually badges, not scapulars.
A scapular is something worn over the shoulders front and back. Religious habits often have a scapular which is a long piece of fabric that hangs straight front and back with just a hole for your head. They originally functioned as an apron. For us they serve to remind us that we are working in the service of the Lord.
There are little scapulars that Catholics sometimes wear. People have them blessed. They fall under the category of Sacramentals. They are usually two small pieces of wool felt with an image embroidered on it and connected by a cords or braids. They are also worn one piece hangs over your chest and the other over your back. The most common one is the brown scapular, which is just like a mini version of the scapular that the Carmelites wears. People generally wear a scapular all the time if they wear one. Many, like the brown scapular have certain promises that are connected with wearing them, along with certain prayers you should be saying.
Badges, on the other hand one just one piece. They are made of fabric, or some other material, like paper. They are usually pinned to the clothing used a little like a medal, or sometimes just carried in a little pouch as a devotional. People who wear them, usually wear them all the time.
They serve to remind the wearer. They are often blessed, and so carry a blessing with them for the wearer.
Most of the ones you have there are Sacred Heart Badges. The Sacred Heart badge is the most common badge. When our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque He made certain promises for those who are devoted to His Sacred Heart and some promises regarding honoring the image of his Sacred Heart. So people started wearing these little embroidered images of the Sacred Heart. There are a lot of different ways they are depicted. Some with an image of Jesus Himself, other with just His Heart.
One you have there seems to be a badge of the Infant Jesus. I don't know if there is a specific devotion for that one. Sometimes people just make their own, taking an image they particularly like and putting it in a little pocket folder they can carry with them. That way they have something with them that they can look at to help their prayers during the day.

ChurchLady said...

These are various types of sacramentals. They are little "miniature prayer images" that are kept in ones purse or pocket. The tradition of Catholics is to pray throughout the day (ex. The Liturgy of the Hours). These sacred images are like miniature statues or places to keep relics (pieces of sacred cloth or a piece of a saint), that have been blessed. They are meant to call to mind the reality of the spiritual all around us. Some that are necklaces are scapulars, which are necklaces that symbolize the scapular part of a monks robe. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a very popular tradition/image with which to use as a meditation on the sacrifice of Jesus of his entire body for us. The heart represents his self-offering of the body. I love your collection. Belinda Roccaforte

Lori Duckworth said...

There's nothing sweeter than these little sacramentals, and nothing more fun or satisfying to make for oneself or as a gift. Precious.

Cynthia said...

Thank you Sister! This answers some of my questions, as well. I make roseies and plan on making scapulars from my grandfather's sheep's
wool blanket. This inspires me more than ever! God Bless you 🙏

Cynthia said...

Thank you Sister! This answers some of my questions, as well. I make roseies and plan on making scapulars from my grandfather's sheep's
wool blanket. This inspires me more than ever! God Bless you 🙏

Gail said...

Thank you Sister Rose Therese for that information, I learned something new today. My daughter wears a blessed scapular every day so I know what those look like, just wasn’t sure what to call these and now I do.
Blessings to you!

JeanneBenedicta said...

Very well said, Sister. I too am draw to these badges (I didn't know what they were called). I am Catholic and wear the brown scapular and also considering making them too.