What is the Immaculate Conception?

When the angel Gabriel comes to tell Mary about her miraculous child, he greets Mary as "full of grace." As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (490) states, "To become the Mother of the Savior, Mary 'was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role.'"

In other words--my words--how could God the Son be a part of a person (as all babies are to their mothers) if that person had any sin? It is an impossiblity. Jesus is perfection, is holiness, is goodness. God the Father could not allow His Only Begotten Son to be attached to and enveloped in the womb of a sinner.

In 1858, Mary appeared to St. Bernadette 18 times near Lourdes, France over a period of 6 months. During these apparations, the local priest--skeptical of the veracity of these apparitions--asked Bernadette, who was 14 at the time, to ask the Lady's name. The first two times the Lady merely inclined her head. On the third request in the 16th apparation, the Lady stated, "I AM THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION." Although Bernadette did not know the meaning, she ran to tell the local priest.

The Immaculate Conception is Mary, who was from the moment of conception without sin.

To read the full account of the apparitions click here or go to http://www.catholic.org/

Our Lady of Lourdes Rosary

by Full of Grace Rosary

This is my version of the rosary that Mary used at Lourdes as described by St. Bernadette:

"She has the appearance of a young girl of sixteen or seventeen. She is dressed in a white robe, girdled at the waist with a blue ribbon which flows down all along Her robe. She wears upon Her head a veil which is also white; this veil gives just a glimpse of Her hair and then falls down at the back below Her waist. Her feet are bare but covered by the last folds of Her robe except at the point where a yellow rose shines upon each of them. She holds on Her right arm a Rosary of white beads with a chain of gold shining like the two roses on Her feet."

September 8th the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary--Happy Birthday, Mary!

All that glitters is gold...and pink Swarovski

I had so much fun designing this bracelet for a friend. The gold and pink Swarovski crystals sparkle in the sun--as you can see... I designed custom earrings to go with this rosary bracelet.

Mary, Queen of Heaven--Really?

Yes, Really. And Absolutely Positively. How? You say. It all started back in the time of King Solomon, the third king of Israel (IKings 2:19). He had over 700 wives and concubines. So who of his many wives was to be the queen? The queen was the mother of the king, aka The Queen Mother. The queen was an adviser to the king, more importantly, she was an advocate of the people.*

Mary is the Queen Mother to the King of Kings, Jesus. She goes to Jesus with our prayers and requests. We pray (make a fervent request) to Mary asking her for the favors of her Son. Her Son is Jesus. Jesus is God. He wrote the 10 Commandments including the fourth one which commands us to honor our mother and father. How much more would a perfect son (Jesus) honor his mother's requests who is so close to his heart. Who by her faith said, "yes", so that He could come into the world and grant us His salvation.

Mary, the Queen Mother, has been given a special role by her Son, Jesus. He honors her, as should we. Mary's role is to draw us closer to her Son. A wonderful way to do this is to meditate on Jesus' life recorded in Sacred Scripture through the mysteries of the Rosary. Click here for an easy to follow guide on how to pray the rosary.

God Bless You and Remember to Pray the Rosary Daily.


*paraphrased from Scott Hahn Hail, Holy Queen, The Mother of God in the Word of God --an excellent book--you will fall inlove with Mary for the 1st time or all over again and see how she always draws us closer to her Son.

Swarovski Crystals & Pearls Wedding Rosary Bracelet

Full of Grace Rosary


Click here to view more information about this Wedding Rosary Bracelet-Sterling Silver-Swarovski Crystals & Pearls

Just finished this White Wedding Rosary Bracelet. The rose is actually a Miraculous Medal! How perfect to have a reminder of our Lord and Lady on your wedding day.

Between each Hail Mary there are 7 pearls & crystals. Seven is a significant number used in Sacred Scripture to represent fullness, perfection, and the Holy Spirit & His 7 gifts:
WISDOM: to despise the persihable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal.
UNDERSTANDING: to enlighten our minds with His divine Truth
COUNSEL: to choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven
FORTITUDE: to bear our cross with Christ & to overcome all the obstacles that oppose my salvation
KNOWLEDGE: to know God and know ourselves & grow perfect in the science of the Saints
PIETY: to find the service of God sweet and amiable
FEAR: to be filled with a loving reverence towards God & dread in any way to displease Him.

May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit and open to His gifts for us!

Also have this lovely Sterling Silver Tahitian Blue Swarovski Crystal & Pearl Rosary Bracelet with matching earrings.



Click here to view more details about this bracelet.


Click here to view more information about these Sterling Silver Tahitian Blue Swarovski Earrings

Fabulous Fancy Jasper Rosary Bracelets

To purchase this bracelet click here.

PATER & AVES: 8mm Faceted Fancy Jasper (N)
ACCENTS: 4mm Sterling silver rondelle spacers & Sterling Silver Bead Cap
CLASP: Sterling Silver Toggle
WIRE: Sterling Silver
CRUCIFIX: Sterling Silver with Swarovski crystal
ROSE: Sterling Silver--Miraculous Medal with Swarovski crystal
LENGTH: ~8 3/8 inches



These bracelets measure 8 1/2 to 9 inches and are made of 7-9mm tumbled Fancy Jasper pebbles.


If you would like to purchase this bracelet click here.

ROSARY BRACELET
PATER & AVES: 8mm Fancy Jasper (N)
ACCENTS: 4mm Fancy Jasper beads (N)& Sterling Silver Bead Cap
CLASP: Sterling Silver
WIRE: Sterling Silver
MEDAL: Sterling Silver--Our Lord of Miracles/Our Lady
LENGTH: ~7 1/2 inches

Between each of the Hail Mary beads there are 3 accent beads representing the Most Holy Trinity.

Slavery Rights equal Unborn Rights--or Lack thereof

Yesterday, while listening to St. Gabriel Radio 1580 AM. I heard the most appropriate comparison. (Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of the guest, but it should be posted on Al Kresta's blogspot later today.)

The guest spoke about how slaves had no rights what-so-ever. If we were to ask most people today, they would be horrified at the idea of slavery. The slaves were called chattel. Chattel as defined by Webster's Dictionary is a movable item of personal property, as a piece of furniture, an automobile, or a head of livestock. These things are not attributed any rights, just as slaves were not. They could be bought, sold, or even killed at the owner's "discretion."

Tragically, the same is true for unborn babies. They can be killed at the "owner's discretion." Unborn babies do not even have the most basic Right to Life. An unborn baby can be killed by parital birth abortion even when the baby's body is delivered outside of the womb. While the head of the baby remains in the mother's body, a doctor (who has sworn the Hippocratic Oath--at this point is a hypocritic oath) punctures the base of the skull of the baby and sucks out his or her brains to kill him or her.

The sad irony of this comparison is that abortion is the #1 KILLER of African-Americans. For every 1 black baby born 1 is aborted. You can learn more about this at www.toomanyaborted.com

Unique Rosary Bracelets

To contact me or to visit my shop click here.

Purple Swarovski Rosary Bracelet

Please click here to see more about this sparkling bracelet.

Prayers for the Pope

The Cardinal Newman Society has launched a prayer campaign for Pope Benedict XVI.

Please join the prayer campaign for our Holy Father at

http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/CardinalNewmanSociety/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/435/ItemID/816/Default.aspx

We cannot underestimate the power of prayer. It is like sweet incense to our LORD.

...the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones. Revelation 5:8

Let my prayer be incense before you; my uplifted hands an evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:1

Swarovski Crystal & Pearl Rosary

For more information on this rosary or any of my other rosaries, please click below:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39355604

Swarovski crystals and pearls make up this dazzling rosary. A fitting rosary to honor the Queen of Heaven and Her Most Holy Son the King of Kings.

Clear Ice Flake Quartz Rosary Bracelet Earrings, wire-wrapped, Catholic, Virtually Unbreakable

For more information on this rosary or others please click below:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44472103

PATER- 8mm Ice Flake Quartz with 4mm silver plated beads/rondelles
AVES- 8mm Ice Flake Quartz
CLASP- silver plated toggle

EARRINGS- earwires are Sterling Silver

These lovely beads glisten in the light. When the sunlight hits them the right way you can see some iridescence (you can see it in the picture above on one of the middle beads of the bracelet). It's clear color goes with everything!

Since it is wire-wrapped, it won't break! There are no open loops to come apart. Virtually Unbreakable.

This bracelet features the 5-way medal (also called the 4-way medal) with the Scapular Medal (Sacred Heart of Jesus-front and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-back) at the top, St. Christopher to the right, St. Joseph to the left, the Miraculous Medal at the bottom and the Holy Spirit in the middle.

Leopardskin Jasper Rosary Bracelet

For more information on this handmade rosary bracelet click below.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44275983

Leopardskin Jasper Rosary Bracelet

PATER- 8mm Gray Ice Flake Quartz w/ caps

AVES- 8mm Leopardskin Jasper

ACCENTS- each loop has a 4mm bead attached, some are Swarovski crystals & pearls, some leopardskin Jasper, others agate.

CLASP- Pewter/Toggle

Has Miraculous Medal and Crucifix

Matching earrings. A bracelet that is fun to wear--and even better to pray.

Who knew making rosary bracelets could be so fun and versitile. Have a rosary with you wherever you go. And get one to match any occasion! God Bless You!

Wire-wrapped for durability--virtually unbreakable.

Tiny Handcut Garnet w/ Czech Glass Rosary w/ Pewter Miraculous Medal Wire-wrapped Virtually Unbreakable

AVE MARIAS: 4-5 mm Handcut Garnet (dyed)
PATER NOSTERS: 4mm Czech glass Clear with 2-3mm Czech glass silver two-tone
ACCENTS: 3mm Czech glass silver two-tone
CENTER: Tiny Miraculous Medal Pewter (.4")
CRUCIFIX: Vine Crucifix Pewter (1.4")
WIRE: Silver Nickel

This petite rosary glimmers in the light. Its handcut beads make each bead unique just like each one of us!

To see more information click below.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42888811

Masculine Rosary St. Benedict Crucifix and Center w/ Brown Snowflake Jasper and Agate

AVE MARIAS: 8 mm round Brown Snowflake Jasper (N)
PATER NOSTERS: 10 mm White/brown Agate (dyed)
ACCENTS: 4-6 mm round tumbled pebble Agate (D)
CENTER: St. Benedict Medal, 3/4 inches, nickel silver
CRUCIFIX: St. Benedict, 2 inches, nickel silver
WIRE: nickel silver
ROSARY LENGTH: 29 inches

This man's rosary (8mm) is larger than regular size (6mm), and fits large well. This decidely masculine rosary displays originality in every stone. The Our Father beads are agate--some are translucent, some are striped and others have spots!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43579382

Eve vs. Mary

How beautiful that although we fell into sin by Eve saying "yes" to Satan, we were redeemed by Mary saying "yes" in absolute faith to Our Lord. In most languages (Latin, Hebrew, etc.) Eve is said EVA, if you reverse that you have the greeting for Our Blessed Mother: AVE. I learned this wonderful tidbit in a Bible/Catechetical Study by Tim Madrid. You can find him at www.timothymadrid.blogspot.com

Our Father has such amazing plans for us and such a great sense of humor.

Hand-made Catholic rosaries

Hello all, please be patient. I am just getting this site underway. Please stop back for listings of handmade, wire-wrapped, virtually unbreakable Catholic rosaries. For now you can go to http://www.FullofGraceRosary.etsy.com to see a listing of my rosaries.