Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Altered Art Necklace






Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, or of the Scapular
July 16 The Church celebrates on this day the feast of the Scapular of Mount Carmel. The scapular, which derives its name from the Latin word scapulæ, meaning shoulders, is a dress which covers the shoulders. It is mentioned in the rule of Saint Benedict as worn by monks over their other dress when they were at work, and it now forms a regular part of the religious dress in the old Orders. But it is best known among Catholics as the name of two little pieces of cloth worn out of devotion to the Blessed Virgin over the shoulders, under the ordinary garb, and connected by strings. The devotion of the scapular, now almost universal in the Catholic Church, began with the Carmelites. The history of its origin is as follows: During the thirteenth century the Carmelite Order suffered great persecution, and July 16, 1251, while Saint Simon Stock, then general of the Order, was at prayer, the Blessed Virgin appeared to him, holding in her hand a scapular. Giving it to the saint, she said,
"Receive, my dear son, this scapular of thy Order, as the distinctive sign of my confraternity, and the mark of the privilege which I have obtained for thee and the children of Carmel. It is a sign of salvation, a safeguard in danger, and a special pledge of peace and protection till the end of time. Whosoever dies wearing this shall be preserved from eternal flames."
I found a way to display Religious treasures and I was inspired by shrines to be able to create this necklace as one.
I added a vintage image of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, this was from a broken Scapular, I also added a tiny cross with a vintage Rose and tiny cross with vintage rhinestones.
I created this necklace similar to a rosary and added a stunning Jesus charm with open arms attached to a string of Swarvoski Pearls. I also added some vintage and new medals, St. Anthony, Miraculous Medal, Angel.

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