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Welcome To The Catholic Gift Shop Blog
Saturday, January 21, 2012
The Catholic Gift Shop specializes in Patron Saint Medals and Catholic Jewelry for Men and Women. You can find gifts to commemorate special religious occasions like Confirmation or find a First Holy Communion Gift. We offer a complete line of Catholic Saint Medals, Rosary beads, Miraculous Medals, Crosses and Crucifixes.
If you are looking for a Catholic Gift for First Communion, Confirmation, Baptism or special event, we can help you find that unique Catholic gift. The vast majority of our Catholic Gifts and Saint Medals are manufactured in the United States. Most merchandise ships out the following business day via USPS Priority Mail for a Flat Rate of $4.95 anywhere in the United States. Visit the "Shipping" section of our store for details. At The Catholic Gift Shop, we strive to provide the best customer service in the industry. If you need rush service on your order, please call us before ordering and we will do our best to provide you with the various shipping and delivery options that are available. As a dedicated Catholic Company, we represent a variety of quality and reputable manufacturers. Our website is updated website daily, to ensure availability on most every product. In the rare event that a listed product is out of stock, a customer service representative will contact you and discuss alternative options as soon as possible.  Thank you for stopping by our website and we hope you enjoy your experience in our online store. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at (800) 560-4999 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern standard time and we will be happy to assist you. Thank you for visiting The Catholic Gift Shop and may God bless you and your family. Your friends at The Catholic Gift Shop Labels: confirmation gift, first communion gift, mens catholic jewelry, patron saint, patron saint medal, womens catholic jewelry by: The Catholic Gift Shop 0 Comments 
Thursday, December 15, 2011
My husband and I moved into our home about fifteen years ago. It was our second home and we did what we could to fix it up. A little paint, some wall-paper (so fifteen years ago), a few more kids and we were moved in. It was a few years later that I found a large Wall Crucifix in the attic. It was left by the previous owner. I thought to myself "who keeps a Crucifix in an attic". Then I thought it's just one of those things you would never, ever throw away, so up in the attic it must have went.
I took the Crucifix down from the attic, dusted it (Jesus) off and placed it prominently on the wall above my bed. It remains there today and I actually consider it a house warming gift from the previous owner. It truly is a treasured gift to me. Growing up, my parents had a Crucifix in their room but the kids never had one. I know for some families there is a Crucifix in every bedroom. While I may not have a Crucifix in all the rooms, believe me there is some sign of our Catholic faith everywhere. Prayer cards, medals, children's bibles, Rosary pamphlets, Baptism candles, rosary beads, Holy Water fonts are everywhere. There are photos of Jesus and Mary on the refrigerator too. I even have a "turf" wall hanging of Mary right next to my phone in the kitchen. You'll have to be Irish or have traveled to Ireland to know what that is.
I have a baby shower coming up and I think I'll give a Wall Crucifix for the baby's room as a gift. It's a great idea for a wedding present or a gift for the new homeowner. It's a tradition that seems to have been forgotten, I'd like to bring it back. What do you think? Do you have a Crucifix in each bedroom? What other items to you have in the house that are a daily reminder of your Catholic faith? Blessings, Cathi D cathid@thecatholicgiftshop.com Labels: Catholic, Catholicism, children, faith, gifts, Jesus, Mary, Wall Cross, Wall Crucifix by: The Catholic Gift Shop 0 Comments
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
GeekDad writer Jonathon Liu recently posted what he thought are the Top 5 Toys of All-Time List.
Taking the number one spot is the "stick", yes the plain old, maybe slimy, dirty, thing that falls off of a tree, stick. Next up is the "box" - admit it who hasn't made a house from the washing machine or oven box?? I know I did. Number three is "string" - remember Cat's cradle or how you tied up your little brother with it. Don't even mention what you can do to your cat with string. Next is "the cardboard tube"- which was really a telescope or the extra long types could be swords or lightsabers (Star Wars fans only) Coming in last place is "dirt" - yes, Mr. Liu chose dirt as one of the Top Five gifts of all time. I'm not sure even your mother wants to agree with this one. She'd be the one having to clean you up after your done playing with or in it. Check out his full post for more ideas on how to put these basic "toys" to use in your home. Think of all the money you'd save and how much you'll save on garbage and recycling with these gifts. We'll after putting #5 to good use, you'll need to fill the bath tub! Why not it would be worth it. If none of the above work for you or your family this Christmas, please take a look at the wonderful gifts we have at The Catholic Gift Shop. One of my favorites this year is the Holy Family Necklace. What's your Top 5 Toys of all time? I think the cardboard box was one of my childhood favorites. Blessings, Cathi D. cathid@thecatholicgiftshop.com Labels: Catholic, Christmas, gift, gift suggestions, Holy Family, toys by: The Catholic Gift Shop 0 Comments
Monday, December 12, 2011
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12th. I must admit until very recently I did not know the background of this Feast Day. I misunderstood this feast day to be a South American homage to Our Lady. In fact Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patron Saint of the Americas, including North America. I watched an episode of Fr. Barron's Word on Fire, Catholicism series about Mary. The film included so much information on our Blessed Mother. Pilgrimages to sites of apparitions were included as well as a plethora of information of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe. I'm so grateful that I was able to learn about this, I truly was missing out.
Here's some information that was provided by Catholic.org about Our Lady of Guadalupe.
I hope you will take the time to learn more about Juan Diego and his vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The story of the miraculous image on Juan's tilma is beautiful. The sometimes controversial meaning of the title Our Lady of Guadalupe shows the connection of her name being a translation of the Aztec Nahuatl word of coatlaxopeuh word meaning "who cruses the serpent" and the Genesis 3:15 verse which says "I shall put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; it will bruise your head and you will strike its heel."
Labels: Americas, Blessed Mother, Juan Diego, Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patron Saints, serpents by: The Catholic Gift Shop 0 Comments
Thursday, December 8, 2011
A feast called the Conception of Mary arose in the Eastern Church in the seventh century. It came to the West in the eighth century. In the 11th century it received its present name, the Immaculate Conception. In the 18th century it became a feast of the universal Church.
In 1854, Pius IX solemnly proclaimed: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.”
It took a long time for this doctrine to develop. While many Fathers and Doctors of the Church considered Mary the greatest and holiest of the saints, they often had difficulty in seeing Mary as sinless—either at her conception or throughout her life. This is one of the Church teachings that arose more from the piety of the faithful than from the insights of brilliant theologians. Even such champions of Mary as Bernard and Thomas Aquinas could not see theological justification for this teaching. Two Franciscans, William of Ware and Blessed John Duns Scotus, helped develop the theology. They point out that Mary’s Immaculate Conception enhances Jesus’ redemptive work. Other members of the human race are cleansed from original sin after birth. In Mary, Jesus’ work was so powerful as to prevent original sin at the outset.
Comment:
In Luke 1:28 the angel Gabriel, speaking on God’s behalf, addresses Mary as “full of grace” (or “highly favored”). In that context this phrase means that Mary is receiving all the special divine help necessary for the task ahead. However, the Church grows in understanding with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit led the Church, especially non-theologians, to the insight that Mary had to be the most perfect work of God next to the Incarnation. Or rather, Mary’s intimate association with the Incarnation called for the special involvement of God in Mary’s whole life. The logic of piety helped God’s people to believe that Mary was full of grace and free of sin from the first moment of her existence. Moreover, this great privilege of Mary is the highlight of all that God has done in Jesus. Rightly understood, the incomparable holiness of Mary shows forth the incomparable goodness of God.
Quote:
“[Mary] gave to the world the Life that renews all things, and she was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role.
“It is no wonder, then, that the usage prevailed among the holy Fathers whereby they called the mother of God entirely holy and free from all stain of sin, fashioned by the Holy Spirit into a kind of new substance and new creature. Adorned from the first instant of her conception with the splendors of an entirely unique holiness, the Virgin of Nazareth is, on God’s command, greeted by an angel messenger as ‘full of grace’ (cf. Luke 1:28). To the heavenly messenger she replies: ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word’ (Luke 1:38)” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 56).
Labels: Immaculate Conception, Mary, Mother of Jesus by: The Catholic Gift Shop 0 Comments
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
It was around the year 374 when the bishop of Milan died and Ambrose, then Governor of Milan, was responsible for public order. Riots had ensued and at the time Arian heresies threatened to destroy the Church. Ambrose hurried to the church and made a passionate speech not in favor of either side, but in favor of peace. He begged the people to make their choice without fighting, using restraint and moderation.
Suddenly, while he was speaking, a voice called out, "Ambrose for bishop!" Soon everyone was shouting, "Ambrose for bishop!" The other bishops of the province were only too glad to have this controversial decision taken out of their hands. But Ambrose was not about to give up a successful career for the dangerous position of bishop - a life- threatening occupation in these heretical times. So Ambrose ran away. When he appealed to the emperor to overturn the decision on the basis that he hadn't even been baptized yet, the emperor answered that he was happy that he chose governors fit for the episcopal office. Ambrose hid in a senator's house but the senator surrendered Ambrose when he heard about the emperor's decision.To learn more about St. Ambrose and other Catholic questions, visit Catholic.org. Saint Ambrose is the patron saint of book keepers and candle makers. His feast day is celebrated each year on December 7th. From Wikipedia: Aurelius Ambrosius, better known in English as Saint Ambrose (c. between 337 and 340 – 4 April 397), was a bishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. He was one of the four original doctors of the Church. Labels: Bishop, Catholic Saints, church, Saint Ambrose by: The Catholic Gift Shop 0 Comments
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Yes, it's the Christmas Season and millions of children around the world are awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. As Catholics we are constantly trying to keep our focus on the birth of Jesus and not get all caught up in the frantic, crazy and unjoyful commercial traditions that have crowded our Christmas Season of late. It's unfortunate that the model for Santa Claus, who was and is a Saint has been altered.
St. Nicholas reminds us that we are loved without limits. He is a saint who challenges us to love others without limits as well. St. Nicholas calls us to holiness as we prepare to celebrate the greatest gift ever received on earth, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ! The "real" St. Nicholas was born at Patara in Lycia, a province of Asia Minor and was bishop of the town of Myra in the fourth century. Upon his death he was buried there in a cathedral. When the Saracens conquered Myra in the early eleventh century, his remains were moved to the Italian city of Bari in 1087. His tomb is visited by thousands every year, even to this day. 
His bones exude a clear liquid, called the "manna of Saint Nicholas", which is extracted from the shrine every year on May 9 in a formal ceremony conducted by the Rector of the Basilica in Bari, in the presence of the delegate of the Pope, the Archbishop of Bari, an Orthodox Bishop, civil authorities, the local clergy and the faithful. This has happened every year since 1980. The manna is distributed and is considered a relic with healing properties.
To this day many school age children place their shoes outside their bedroom doors on the evening of December 5th. St Nicholas then comes during the night. The following morning they awake to find their shoes filled with gifts and sugary treats. Widespread adoption of the tradition has spread among the German, Polish, Belgian and Dutch communities throughout the United States.
Labels: Christmas, Jesus Christ, Santa Claus, St. Nicholas by: The Catholic Gift Shop 0 Comments
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