Prayer

During prayer mantillas help to keep the mind focused. The head is covered and one can direct all their thoughts towards God. It shows reverence towards the Blessed Sacrament to cover one's head, a humility and modesty which puts God first and us second. 

All alone with her Lord.

Prayerful young women directing their hearts to God.

'He must increase but I must decrease'

Even the very tiny can contemplate!

"Prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trail as well as joy; finally, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus."

--St.Therese of Lisieux

Beautiful Baptism

The Sacrament of  Baptism is not only essential for Catholics, but so very beautiful to behold-  a baby becomes a child of God and a member of Christ's Mystical Body. The Old Rite of Baptism is especially efficacious as it includes all the exorcisms and the prayers (and most of the time, the responses) are said in Latin.

The Baptism of baby Robert Emmanuel which I was honoured to attend last Saturday. His Godmother wears a beautiful black lace mantilla for the occasion.

With all the Sacraments in the Church a woman wears a mantilla to show humility and devotion to God. 

Frances looking on in her pretty, handmade white mantilla. 

Caught at the Baptism in my teal, blue and black mantilla by 'Peter's Bride', one of my favourite shops.

'Humility is the mother of many virtues because from it obedience, fear, reverence, patience, modesty, meekness and peace are born. He who is humble easily obeys everyone, fears to offend anyone, is at peace with everyone, is kind with all.'

St Thomas of Villanova

Feast of St John the Beloved

During Christmastide we celebrate the Feast of St John the Beloved. So loved by Our Dear Lord was he, his feast day falls within the 12 days of the Great Feast. We have a devotion to St John as many do purely because he just loved..loved unconditionally, not forsaking Our Lord during His Passion as others did. 

Such pure love did St John learn from Christ that he is often known as the Apostle of Charity. In this Christmastide and New Year may we all learn from dear St John as we strive to love more deeply and draw ourselves closer to Our Lord.

Our little Grace in her ivory mantilla after the Holy Mass of St John the Beloved.

A young girl learning to venerate Our Lord by covering her hair and kneeling.

The incredibly sacred 'Christmas' reliquary which holds relics from the stable in Bethlehem.