Immaculate Heart of Mary Vintage Cameo Bracelet

I found several vintage acrylic religious cameos one being this beautiful one of Immaculate Heart of Mary. I set it in goldtone adding stunning lampwork beads with a lot of detail on each bead including goldfoil. I added other Catholic medals like Divine Mercy, San Martin de Porres, Virgin Mary and others. I also added golden glass pearls.

Infant of Prague and St. Christopher Altered Art Catholic Shrine Necklace

INFANT OF PRAGUE

The devotion to the Holy Child Jesus has long been a tradition of the Catholic Church for a very long time. This devotion is a veneration of our Lord's sacred Infancy. Many saints had a very strong devotion to the Divine Child, notably St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Teresa of Avila.

Prague is the capitol city of the Czech Republic, which is at the very central of Europe with Germany, Poland, Russia and Austria as its neighbours. The history of the Infant Jesus of Prague started in the 17th century when a statue of the Infant Jesus was brought into Bohemia (now Czech Republic) and eventually was given to the Discalced Carmelites in Prague. Since then, the statue has remained in Prague and has drawn many devotees worldwide to go and honor the Holy Child. Many graces, blessings, favors and miraculous healings have been received by many who petitioned before the Infant Jesus.

History

The exact origin of the Infant Jesus statue was not truly known, but historical sources point to a small 28cm high sculpture of the Holy Child with a bird in his right hand carved in around the year 1340. Many other Infant Jesus sculptures were also carved by famous masters throughout Europe in the Middle Ages.

The popularity of the Child Jesus grew in the Baroque period in Spain which may have been caused by the visions of St. Teresa of Avila. A number of sculptures made in Spain eventually found their way to Prague. These sculptures were made of wax, ivory, and bronze and were dressed in garments reflecting the aristocratic fashion of that period.

It is unknown to this date which of those early sculptures that got to Prague was the exact origin of the Infant Jesus of Prague. It was speculated that it came from a monastery in Bohemia and from there it was obtained by Dona Isabella Manrique who gave it as a wedding gift to her daughter Marie Manrique who married a noble of the Czech kingdom. Later, the Holy Infant statue was again given to Marie's daughter Polyxena as a wedding gift in 1587. In 1628, Lady Polyxena presented the statue to the Carmelites at the Church of the Virgin Mary the Victorious in Mala Strana saying, "I am giving you what I most esteem of my possessions. Keep the sculpture in reference and you will be well off" (*FN1*). This statue then became known as the Infant Jesus of Prague. It stands 47 cm high (includes a 2cm base) and has a long gown around the wax body.

Shortly after 1628, the Saxons and the Swedes took turns to invade Prague and the Carmelites had to flee and the veneration of the Holy Infant ceased. It was not until 1638 that a young priest named Fr. P. Cyril, a Matre Dei, returned to Prague and found the Holy Infant statue buried in the ruins of the Lady of Victory church. Fr. Cyril cleaned the statue and placed it in the oratory for worship. While he was praying before the Infant Jesus, he heard the Infant Jesus say, "Have pity on Me and I will have pity on you. Give Me My hands and I will give you peace. The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you". (*FN2*)

The repairing of the statue's hand was a miracle since Fr. Cyril and his peers did not have the financial resources nor the know-how to repair it. Through prayer, Fr. Cyril asked the Blessed Virgin Mary in several occassions to to provide the necessary funds for fixing the Infant statue. The Divine Infant spoke to him again, "Place Me near the entrance of the sacristy and you will receive aid" (*FN3*). Fr. Cyril then did what he was told and in a few days time, the statue was fixed by a man who came to the sacristy to offer help.

Since the statue was fixed, a number of miracles had occurred and the word began to spread, resulting in a large increase of veneration to the Holy Child. This includes the Czech nobles as well. These early miracles were recorded in a book by P. Emerich a St Stephano, published in German in 1736 and in Czech in 1749 (*FN4*).

In 1641, an altar was built for the Infant Jesus in the church, and in 1644 a chapel was built, but was not completed until 1654. Many nobles of the time had greatly supported the Infant Jesus, among them were Lady Polyxena, King Ferdinard (Czech), King Charles Gustav(Sweden), and Bernard Ignatius of the Lords of Martinic. It is interesting to note that the crown over the Divine Infant's head came from Bernard Ignatius, who presented the Infant statue with a little gold crown set with precious stones and jewels on January 14, 1651 during a procession that carried the Infant Jesus statue from the Lady of Victory church to other Prague churches. The Infant Jesus was solemnly coronated on April 4, 1655 by the Archbishop Josef Corta acting for Cardinal Harrach III who was sick.

After that period, Prague went through more wars and unrest but the church and the Infant Jesus chapel was miraculously protected. In 1776 the altar was rebuilt using marble and two huge sculptures of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph were placed to the left and right sides of the altar. The Holy Infant was kept in a glass case standing on a pedestal engraved with crystals, and surrounding the Infant were twenty angels in gold.

St. Christopher- Patron Saint of Travelers

I love creating shrine necklaces like this necklace honoring Infant of Prague and St. Christopher. I call them "Religious Treasures" because I use vintage items as well and is a great way to be reminded of Our Lord, Our Blessed Mother and Saints.

On this Necklace, I added a picture of St. Christopher on the background, a vintage image of Infant of Prague, praying hands, three Hail Mary beads from a broken Rosary.

I use a lot of beads from broken rosaries in my necklaces because some are beyond repair, specially if they are missing beads or are vintage and what a better way to use them and carry with you when someone has used them for prayer, I feel is a blessing.

I also used a vintage medal made in Western Germany of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal and Sacred Heart of Jesus, a vintage Virgin Mary brass medal, a vintage Crucifix, other vintage rosary parts which are ten Hail Mary and one having one Our Father bead.

I also used turquoise beads and lampwork beads.

JESUS RELIC CATHOLIC MEDALS RELIGIOUS CHARM BRACELET

The Holy Shroud of Oviedo

The Sudarium is referred to in John 20:5-8.

The Sudarium of Oviedo, or Shroud of Oviedo, is a bloodstained cloth, 34" x 21", kept in the cathedral of Oviedo, Spain and claimed to be the cloth that was wrapped around the head of Jesus of Nazareth after he died (Head-veil of Christ).

ADORABLE FACE OF JESUS
Adorable Face of Jesus, whom all the angels adore,

may You be known, loved and adored by the whole world.

Sacred Face of Jesus, I desire to love and honor You more and more,

in reparation for the many sins committed before You.

O Sacred Face of Jesus veiled in the Adorable Sacrament of the Altar;

I Adore You and Love You.

I feel so blessed to have been able to touch and own one of this special relics, literally, tears roll down my cheeks when I touch this medal and start creating a bracelet in the honor of Our Lord. I cannot imagine what He had to endure for us, the pain and distress.

I create a bracelet with the out most respect and love for Our Lord and I use the relic medal in my bracelets because I want it to be a constant reminder to the wearer of Our Lord's ultimate sacrifice and not just place the medal in a jewelry box or out of sight.

I also used a 14K goldplated medal of Our Lady of Fatima, a vintage medal of Sacred Heart of Jesus, made in Western Germany, St. Michael, St. Theresa, Virgin Mary, Miraculous Medal.

I used natural ruby jade teardrop-shape beads to represent Our Lord's blood. I also used cream color pearls and Czech. glass beads.

Let this bracelet be a reminder of Our Lord's suffering and ultimate sacrifice.

ST. PADRE PIO CROSS RELIC CHARM BRACELET

FATHER PIO ( visible sign in his body of Christ Passion)

In September 1918, while praying before a cross, he received the stigmata and the first priest ever to be so blessed.

I. O my Jesus, You have said "Truly I say to you, ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you". Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of... Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father...Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

II. O my Jesus, You have said "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, He will give it to you" Behold, in Your name, I ask the Father for the grace of... Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father...Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

III. O my Jesus, You have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away". Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of...Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father...Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of You, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your tender Mother and ours.

Say the Hail Holy Queen and add St. Joseph, foster Father of Jesus, pray for us.

This novena was recited daily by St. Pio

"Yes, I love the cross and only the cross. I love it because I see it always on the shoulders of Jesus. Now Jesus sees clearly that all my life and all my heart is vowed to Him and to His sufferings" - Padre Pio

I found this very unique and wonderful cross relic of St. Padre Pio and I was able to create a special bracelet in his honor using his relic. I know sometimes he prefers dark colors and sometimes he likes the brighter ones. When I say he likes, is because there are times I can almost feel his presence or his personality, very playful, like joking at times.

On this bracelet I used two tone medals, goldtone and silvertone oxidized all made in Italy. I added Virgin Mary, Miraculous Medal, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Lourdes, Cure D'Ars, St. Theresa, Stations of the cross. The beads I used are a very unique combination as well, which is amber color glass lampwork hearts, black and gold foil lampwork beads and teal color Czech. glass beads to give it a spark of color to the bracelet. I am very happy with the outcome.

OUR LADY OF CZESTECHOWA CATHOLIC SAINTS BRACELET

The Black Madonna of Czestochowa The Icon was, according to legend, painted by St. Luke the Evangelist on a cypress table top from the house of the Holy Family. The picture shows the Madonna in fleur de lys robes.

The painting displays a traditional composition derived from the icons of Eastern Orthodoxy. The Virgin Mary is shown as the "Hodegetria" ("One Who Shows the Way"). In it the Virgin directs attention away from herself, gesturing with her right hand toward Jesus as the source of salvation. In turn, the child extends his right hand toward the viewer in blessing while holding a book of gospels in his left hand.

One of the oldest documents from Jasna Góra states that the picture travelled from Jerusalem, via Constantinople, to finally reach Czestochowa in August 1382. The Black Madonna is credited with miraculously saving the monastery of Jasna Gó ra (English: Bright Mount) from a Swedish 17th Century invasion, The Deluge, which actually changed the course of the war. This event led King Jan Kazimierz to "crown" Our Lady of Czestochowa ("the Black Madonna") as Queen and Protector of Poland in the cathedral of Lwó w on April 1, 1656. This legend was however created much later than the actual events, as in reality the icon had been taken away well in advance so as to prevent it from falling into the hands of the advancing Swedish army.

Another legend concerning the Black Madonna of Czestochowa is that the presence of the holy painting saved its church from being destroyed in a fire, but not before the flames darkened the fleshtone pigments. The legend concerning the two scars on the Black Madonna's right cheek is that a Hussite robber drew his sword upon the image and inflicted two deep strikes. When the robber tried to inflict a third strike, he fell to the ground and squirmed in agony until his death. Despite past attempts to repair these scars, they had always reappeared.*


*Wikipedia

I created this bracelet in honor of Our Lady of Czestechowa using a 3rd class relic medal of Our Lady and using flowers as well as an offering

"FLOWERS FOR OUR BLESSED MOTHER"

What a better way to express your love to our Blessed Mother as with flowers and prayers for Her and Her Son, Jesus.

Other Catholic medals I used are: St. Theresa, Divine Child, Our Lady of Knock, St. Patrick, St. Benedict and others. I enhaced all the medals with beautiful two-tone glass lampwork heart beads to also add to the color of the flowers.

"PRECIOUS BLOOD" CRUCIFIXION CATHOLIC MEDALS BRACELET

Christ did not yield up His life until He had accomplished the work He came to do, and with His parting breath He exclaimed, "It is finished." (John 19:30).

THIS BRACELET HAS BEEN HANDCRAFTED AS A REMINDER OF JESUS' SACRIFICE FOR HUMANITY AND HIS LOVE FOR US REDEEMING US WITH HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD

ALSO A REMINDER OF HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION

I CREATED AS A STRONG TESTIMONY OF OUR FAITH

I USED A VERY UNIQUE CRUCIFIXION CROSS AS WELL A CROSS DEPICTING A RISEN CHRIST- I ALSO USED RED RUBY QUARTZ BEADS TO REPRESENT "HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD" AS WELL AS RED CZECH. GLASS TEARDROP-SHAPE BEADS TO REPRESENT HIS DROPS OF BLOOD.

OTHER CATHOLIC MEDALS I ALSO USED ARE; ST. BENEDICT, HOLY SPIRIT, ARCHANGEL ST. RAPHAEL, ST. JOSEPH, ST. THERESA, ST. GEORGE.

For my Catholic jewelry visit www.letyscreations.com

St. Michael and Archangels Charm Bracelet

GOD'S MARSHALL

(Name means, "Who is like God" Glorious Saint Michael, guardian and defender of the Church of Jesus Christ)

"The very name of Michael urges us to honor this glorious spirit; it is a cry of enthusiasm and fidelity, for it signifies: "Who is like unto God?" Satan trembles at hearing this name, for it reminds him of the noble protest wherewith the bright Archangel answered the call of the rebel angels. Michael proved his strength and prowess when he fought the great battle in Heaven. From that hour he has been known as "Michael, the captain of the armies of God, first Prince of the Holy City, to whom the other angels yield ready obedience. They most willingly and gratefully recognize his supremacy, for after God, they owe to him their preseverance in grace and their eternal happiness. With loving submission, they receive from him their various offices. They are attentive to the slightest wish, because they recognize in his commands and regulations the will of God, their sovereign Lord and King.*

* St. Michael and the angels

Prayer to Saint Michael

Dear Saint Michael, your name means, "Who is like God?" and it indicates that you remained faithful when others rebelled against God. Help police officers in our day who strive to stem the rebellion and evil that are rampant on all sides. Keep them faithful to their God as well as to their country and their fellow human beings. Amen.

"Hail, bright Archangel, Prince of Heaven! Spirit divinely strong!

To whose rare merit hath been given to head the angelic throng".

I created this bracelet this bracelet in honor of St. Michael and Archangels including St. Raphael, St. Gabriel, Uriel, Jophiel, Zadquiel and Samuel. I used a St. Michael 3rd class relic medal as well as a large well detailed medal of St. Michael.

I used some beautiful antique style and look glass beads to represent Their strength.