The Embroidered Altar Pall

In the Old Testament, we read about the Ark of the Covenant - that magnificent home and protection for the written word of God. This Ark was considered so special that even the priests whose job it was to carried it were not allowed to look at it with their eye. A veil was placed between the human eye and the Holy of Holies.

Would it be a wonder then, if we should emulate even a fraction of this honor due God when housing His very Own True Presence in the Blessed Sacrament? Every big and little ornament and article used in to the purpose of housing and protecting Our Lord must be special and in turn, beautiful.

Tabernacle, veil, jewels, and even the chalice themselves should be made of the finest of materials for the King of Kings. And when He comes to us in Holy Communion, the priest insures that not even a particle of dust or debris will fall near him. How does this happen?

With the help of a pall.

Made of linen and stiffened inside to board-like stiffness, the altar pall is used to cover the Chalice and prevent anything from falling inside. This simple tool has a giant purpose. Given it's high office, the pall is often embroidered and decorated with the finest in Catholic motifs and designs.

Our seamstress did an amazing job on this special order for custom palls. These beauties will grace the altar through the hands of a priest in Canada, thanks to the generosity of his friends.

"And I clothed thee with embroidery, and shod thee with violet coloured shoes: and I girded thee about with fine linen, and clothed thee with fine garments." - Ezechiel 16:10

www.catholicembroidery.com

Off to Africa!

These lovely, crisp linens are on their way now through the [less-than-prompt] postal route from the USA to AFRICA! 

Two generous seamstresses donated their time and talent in the creation of these amices, purificators, lavabo towels, and corproals that will soon mantle the very altar of Our Lord's repose and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass - in a mission church.  The good priest who runs the mission has seen such an increase in attendance over the past few months, that more Mass times are necessary to add on the regular Sunday schedule. In addition, an altar boy guild and Daughters of the Mission society are presently in formation, providing excellent activities in sports, carpentry, cooking, and sewing for the young members of the mission, under the direction of the pastor. What a joy to be able to be even the smallest part of this great work in the form of little embroidered crosses to this growing mission. :)

Interested in supporting this African Mission and learning more? Click here to donate through a safe and secure site and enjoy reading about the blessings your donation will provide to the care of so many souls.

For an insider scoop to the work, fun, and stories in the Catholic Embroidery world, follow us on Facebook!

www.catholicembroidery.com

GIVEAWAY: *Lent and Easter* in Hearts & Homes

Winners announced!! See below:

Many bloggers have written beautiful and encouraging posts and articles on the "keywords" of making a good Lenten preparation for Easter. Words such as "renew" and "prepare" apply to Advent as they do in Lent. After all, this "coming" of Christ as redeemer is also the anniversary of our redemption!

Taking these wise words to heart and home, we're hosting another giveaway, featuring your favorite, Lenten Traditions. Remember all of those great traditions we learned about in the Advent giveaway? Let's talk Lent!

Simply leave a comment to this post with a reflection you put into action during the Lenten season in preparation for Easter. Be they certain family sacrifices, traditions, prayers, works, etc. - we want to hear all about them! In honor of the coming feast of Easter and in thanks for participation from our guests, friends, and commentators, we'll be giving away TWO of the Catholic Embroidery Easter specials to TWO lucky winners:

Pysanky Basket Liner/Cover, embroidered with our traditional Ukrainian Budded Cross design

Congratulations to PATTY, who shared, "In our little family we go out of our way to pray a family Rosary every night. We usually pair it with a novena, which keeps us motivated to make sure to pray every single night. By the time Lent is over, it is a good habit we have formed and we do our best to carry it on the rest of the year."

Lamb of God Apron, embroidered with the Triumphant Lamb of God design on washable white fabric (lol)

Congratulations to Jennifer Gregory Miller, who shared, "A few of our Lenten traditions: We pray a decade of the rosary every night, except Stations of the Cross on Fridays. We have a grapevine wreath with craft picks for thorns. These are removed every time extra prayers, good deeds or sacrifices are performed.

Ladies, please send us your mailing address by March 25th. Thank you all for participating!

**With two winners in the forecast, a second chance at winning is at hand. Simply "Like" us on Facebook and leave a comment here, telling us about it in order to qualify for a second chance at winning these lovely additions to the Easter table.

To ensure that the winners will be able to put these items to good use, the giveaway will end on Laetare Sunday at 11:59PM . International visitors are welcome.

Can't wait to hear about your favorite Lenten traditions!

P.S. Don't forget your St. Patrick Breastplate Pillowcases for St. Patrick's Day!

www.catholicembroidery.com

Beautiful Hands of a Priest

The approaching month of May begins the great season of ordinations. This is a bustling time for our embroidery shop as we prepare last-minute details for custom vestments and linens. I cannot think of a more rewarding project than preparing fabrics and floss for the altar!

The photos below were taken of a set of linens we embroidered in collaboration with Altarworthy for a priest who will be ordained in Texas in the next few weeks. Please pray for him and all new priests!

The Beautiful Hands of a Priest 

Unknown Author

  We need them in life's early morning,
            We need them again at its close;
            We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,
            We seek it while tasting life's woes.

  When we come to this world we are sinful,
            The greatest as well as the least.
            And the hands that make us pure as angels
            Are the beautiful hands of a priest.

  At the altar each day we behold them,
            And the hands of a king on his throne
            Are not equal to them in their greatness
            Their dignity stands alone.

  For there in the stillness of morning
            Ere the sun has emerged from the east,
            There God rests between the pure fingers
            Of the beautiful hands of a priest.

When we are tempted and wander
          To pathways of shame and sin
          'Tis the hand of a priest that absolve us.
          Not once but again and again.

And when we are taking life's spouse,
          Other hands may prepare us a feast
          But the hands that will bless and unite us,
          Are the beautiful hands of a priest.

God bless them and keep them all holy,
          For the Host which their fingers caress,
          What can a poor sinner do better
          Than to ask Him who chose them to bless

When the death dews on our lids are falling,
          May our courage and strength be increased
          By seeing raised o'er us in blessing
          The beautiful hands of a priest.

God bless,

Mary

O Lord, send us priest!

O Lord, send us many priests!

O Lord, send us many holy priests and religious vocations!

www.catholicembroidery.com

"Christ Before Me, Christ Behind Me"

These words of St. Patrick can apply to every aspect of life... but what about bedtime? Asking Christ to bless "the night or day before me and the night or day behind me" is illustrated boldly in our new St. Patrick's Breastplate Pillowcase.  This lovely linen features our new Mini Celtic Cross design along with the powerful monogram, applicable and appropriate for any pillow. Best of all, it's made for standard or queen sizes!

Do you have a favorite bedtime or morning prayer that you think would be perfect for a pillow? Let us know in the combox!