Saints and Real Estate: The Story Behind the St. Joseph Statue

With the stress of the the housing market in the past few years, home sellers are looking for any help they can get! Many turn to St. Joseph. Specifically, sellers often bury a St. Joseph statue in their yard as a way to encourage more interest in their homes. Customers often ask us how the tradition of burying a St. Joseph statue came to be.

There are several opinions on the St. Joseph tradition. The most commonly held belief is that the tradition can be linked to an order of European nuns who buried a St. Joseph medal (around A.D. 1515 - 1582) to seek his help in expanding their land. After a short time, they found out that their prayers had been heard and they received more land for their convent. Others link the practice to German carpenters who buried a statue of St. Joseph in each new foundation they built and prayed to him. Still other simply believe it is the fact that St. Joseph provided for Mary and Jesus, paired with his skills as a carpenter, that make him a great supporter and advocate for home sellers.

One aspect of the St. Joseph statue tradition/process that most can agree on is that after the home has sold, the St. Joseph statue should be removed from the ground and given a place of honor in your new home.

St. Joseph statues have always been a best seller at St. Patrick's Guild. Good luck!

Wine, Candle, Bread Sale!

The famous St. Patrick's Guild July Wine Sale is happening now! Don't miss this opportunity to save on your altar needs for the next year. Or, make sure your parish knows so they can experience the savings!

Altar Wines - Buy 3 cases or more, save $5 per case.
Altar Candles - Buy 5 cartons and the 6th is free.
Altar Breads - Buy 5 cartons and the 6th is free.

Please visit http://www.stpatricksguild.com/page.htm?PG=JULYWINESALE for more information and deals.

Christian Garden Statues

It is that time of the year. You have been toiling in the garden for a month or two, things are looking great - but something is missing. The flowers and the greenery and the shrubbery need a focal point or centerpiece. A statue may be just the answer. As in our homes, consider displaying your faith in your garden. Above right, you see our Lady of Grace Outdoor statue. For a more affordable, but just as beautiful option, check out the Celtic Garden Rock with Irish Blessing (above left).

A few tips:

1) Decide whether you want your statue to be the center of attention or to blend in (the Lady of Grace statue could be a centerpiece, whereas the Celtic Rock with Irish Blessing would blend in beautifully with greenery). This will determine the size, type and subject of your statue.

2) Decide if you want the statue to commemorate something. A St. Francis statue (we have several), for example, might honor a passed family pet who is buried in your space. A Guardian Angel statue could pay homage to someone who is now looking down on you.

3) Take measurements! How much space do you have for the statue? It may even help to sketch out a design and specifications - especially if you're considering using more than one statue.

4) Consider accent pieces, too! Many gardeners choose stepping stones that lead to their statue, especially one that is religious in nature (i.e. if it will be walked to for prayer or simply quiet time).

5) If you live in a northern climate, remember that your statue can serve as beautiful decoration in the snow (or in the absence of plants and flowers).

Happy gardening!

Oldest Bible in the world goes online///

This story was forwarded to us and wanted to pass along. Very interesting.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/07/06/ancient.bible.online/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Happy 4th of July!

The Congress of the United States convenes its sessions with opening prayers. Around the 4th of July, those prayers are patriotic - and often rousing. When Congress is adjourned on the Fourth of July, holiday prayers are given by House and Senate chaplains either before July 4 or immediately upon reconvening.

Here is one from 1861 at the onset of the Civil War:

Almighty and everlasting God, be not angry with us for our sins, which we only confess and deplore; but pardon our offenses and extend to us Thy favor. We thank Thee for Thy goodness on this anniversary of the nation a day tenfold more precious by reason of our present troubles, and sacred to the heart for the ever memorable Declaration of our fathers, in which Thou didst begin more openly to give us a name among the nations of the earth. We thank Thee for all Thy manifold and abundant mercies hitherto to make our nation exceedingly great and glorious; but now disasters have befallen us and darkness broods in the land. And now we ask Thy mercy as the Senate is convening at a most momentous crisis of our history. Give to Thy servants all needed help. Add to their deliberations wisdom and unanimity, and profit and speed to their conclusion. Bless Thy servant, the President of the United States, our veteran Commander-in- Chief, and all that have functions in the civil and military power. May the angel of Thy presence walk in the Cabinet and in the Congress and in the camp, to go before, to purify, and to direct the now greatly and universally-awakened love of country. And we beseech Thee to guide us, to overrule and order all things, and so to cause that nothing shall fail, that the disorders of the land may be speedily healed, that peace and concord may prevail, that truth and righteousness may be established, and that Thy Church and Kingdom may flourish in a larger peace and prosperity, for Thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. (Source: Congressional Globe, 37th Congress, first session, new series, 1, 4 July 1861.)

Happy 4th of July! Be safe and God Bless.