Chaplet of Renewal of Our Common Home came about in 2021. After attending a webinar hosted by Greg Kennedy from the Ignatius Jesuit Centre, I was inspired to create this chaplet. Mother Earth is hurting and what can I do about it? Action was the message that resounded in me. And this chaplet is my response, inspiring in others the actions they can take to better God’s gift, our natural world.
I offer the Chaplet of Renewal of Our Common Home in many colours. Each chaplet comes with a prayer page and a plastic storage bag. Sample images and prices are shown below.
Chaplet of Renewal was created in 2020 during the early days of a world wide pandemic. Beginning that year, I had started the 30 week Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. The idea came to me almost a year before, where I wanted to create something unique for high school students. At the time, I knew I was not spiritually ready to create this bead strand. It needed to be modern, current and relevant to the lives of young people. It needed to be about whomever was praying it. As I walked through my weeks, the chaplet began to take shape and quickly became very clear. Reflection rather than recitation. It was born at a time where I feel I was deeply connected with God, who guided me through every bead. This chaplet was a personal journey for me and I hope it can be one for you too.
I offer the Chaplet of Renewal in many colours. Each chaplet comes with a prayer page and a plastic storage bag. Sample images and prices are shown below.
When we think of a Rosary we are most familiar with a metal crucifix or a medal of a saint. Wool of the Lamb Prayer Beads use soft, colourful wool instead. I felt my knitted and crocheted designs, all by hand, and then add them to a Rosary or one of my many Chaplets. I make many ‘ends’, such as sheep, a cross, a stemmed rose, a shamrock, a heart, a little pouch, and a Holy Water vial. I also make beaded tassels with either a glass bead or a hand made woolen bead. I enjoy coming up with new designs as my list continues to grow (and my collection of wool seems to be growing too).
I use colourful glass beads—different shapes and sizes. All of my bead strands are hand strung on heavy, braided line that is long lasting and does not stretch easily. Each strand comes with its own prayer page, instructing how to pray the chaplet (or rosary), including a photo and step by step directions all in a storage bag.
Holding Wool of the Lamb Prayer Beads in your hands while praying or meditating offers you comfort. The softness of the wool feels good to the touch. The ritual of repeating a prayer on each bead helps you to relax, breathe deeply and calm yourself, especially when the day has too many demands.
The practice of being prayerful has many advantages. First and foremost, you will gain a better relationship with God. Speaking to Him and inviting Him into your life is what God wants most from us. As you do this more often, you will begin to see blessings in your life that you hadn’t noticed before. If you let Him, God will bless you with His love and His mercy will take flight in your heart. You will begin to see changes in yourself—patience, kindness and care to those around you. You may even feel more peaceful, more tolerant and a whole lot calmer. Any problems you face during your day or in your life will be easier to tackle. Being prayerful will change your life, one bead at a time.
A Hail Mary Decade is one decade of the rosary, consisting of just 10 beads with a cross or crucifix. Those who are not in the habit of praying the rosary may look at it as a daunting task. Lots of beads, lots of prayers and meditations all at the same time! A decade however, is great way to begin praying the rosary. You can focus on just one mystery while reciting one Our Father and 10 Hail Mary prayers. Before you know it you will be praying the whole rosary on just one decade strand. The Hail Mary Decade is a wonderful way to begin a relationship with Our Blessed Mother Mary. We can pray with and to her. She watches over those who honour her and answers those who ask for her intercession.
I offer the Hail Mary Decade Chaplet in various colour combinations. Each chaplet comes with a prayer page. Sample images and prices are shown below.
The Hail Mary Decade Chaplet consists 10 needle-felted woollen beads and crocheted and felted cross.
I create large Hail Mary Decades made from natural wool fleece. I needle-felt woolen beads, each about the size of a ping pong ball, either dyed in Kool-Aid colours or left naturally and paired together with a co-ordinating soft woolen cross. It feels great in your hands, and it is soft and pliable. These oversized decades are great for people with limited dexterity or those who benefit from tactile sensations.
Chaplet of the Ten Evangelical Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary
For Teenagers and Adults
“Holy Virgin, from now on I will show you my loving devotion by imitating your virtues. There is no greater homage, no greater proof of love, that I can give.” (“Imitation of Mary” by Alexander De Rouville. 1985-1977 Catholic Publishing Corp., N.Y., pg. 17)
The church urges us as Catholic faithful to look to Jesus’ Mother, Mary, as a role model during our earthly lives and to imitate the virtues of the Blessed Virgin as best we can. The Virtues are: Pure, Prudent, Humble, Faithful, Devout, Obedient, Poor, Patient, Merciful, Sorrowful/Compassionate. Give Mary your solitude by being alone with her while praying this chaplet. Giving Her your time and attention, you will realize something within you that calms your sorrows and alleviates your fears. Before you know it, you will begin to hear God speak to you because you know His mother. It is in this solitude where you can learn to trust God and honour His Blessed Mother. Bring all your dangers, doubts and anxieties to Mary. Believe she can help you and have faith.
The Chaplet of the Ten Evangelical Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a straightforward prayer strand and features the most popular Catholic prayers; Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be. I came across this prayer bead strand in my research, but felt that something was needed to reflect on while praying, so I paired each virtue with a meditation from St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to Mary”, a church classic.
This chaplet is ideal for those who want to deepen their relationship with Our Blessed Mother. It is also great for high school students who have stepped away from their faith and are searching for something a little different. Also great for retreats for teachers, educators and groups who desire faith development. This chaplet can help you get to know Mary better and thus bring you closer to Her Son, Jesus.
“The Blessed Virgin’s life contains lessons for everyone. If we study it, we learn how to live in prosperity and adversity, prayer and work, honors and humiliations.” (Imitation of Mary by Alexander De Rouville. 1985-1977 Catholic Publishing Corp., N.Y., pg. 15)
I offer the Chaplet of the Ten Evangelical Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary in various colour combinations. Each chaplet comes with a prayer page and a plastic storage bag. Sample images and prices are shown below.
Chaplet of the Ten Evangelical Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Felted – $16
The Chaplet of the Ten Evangelical Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary consists of a felted woolen cross or ten pointed star, 10 colourful glass beads, each representing a specific virtue and a glass end bead to finish the chaplet.
With Confirmation, the Paraclete opens before you a path of continual rediscovery of the grace of adoption as children of God, which will make you joyful seekers of the truth.
Pope John Paul II
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, you are completing your commitment to Christ that began at your Baptism, making you adults in the Faith. You are given the Holy Spirit who visits you inwardly and touches you deep within your soul. Whatever challenges you face in your life, know that these special gifts given to you by the Holy Spirit are like no others. Time in prayer will help you develop these gifts and give you complete confidence in Christ.
Inspired by the Sacrament of Confirmation, with children, ages 12—14 in mind, I have re-created the Chaplet of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit by using more modern day vocabulary that would appeal to our young people. The Gifts are the same: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Fortitude (Courage), Counsel (Right Judgement), Piety (Reverence) and Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe), but I have added meditations that will hopefully inspire our faithful young Catholics. The Holy Spirit did indeed guide me through this process.
The chaplet consists of a felted woolen cross, 7 beads, each representing a specific gift: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Fortitude (Courage), Counsel (Right Judgement), Piety (Reverence) and Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe), and an end bead. Each gift has a short meditation/prayer to fully gain its meaning. The cross and end bead also have a prayer. Mary has a strong presence in this chaplet as each gift is accompanied by a Hail Mary. Know that you can also call on Our Blessed Mother for help at any time.
This is also a great chaplet for those who wish to reconnect with the Holy Spirit and reaffirm the gifts that have been given us.
So we pray with Mary, sanctuary of the Holy Spirit, a most precious dwelling-place of Christ among us, so that she may help us to be living temples of the Spirit and tireless witnesses of the Gospel.
Pope John Paul II
I offer the Chaplet of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit in white and the colour of your choice. Each chaplet comes with a prayer page and a plastic storage bag. Sample images and prices are shown below.
This chaplet is inspired by the heavenly event that took place in Genazzano, Italy at Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel on the Feast of St. Mark, April 25th, 1467. It was there in a dilapidated church, the crowd witnessed a beautiful white cloud descending from a blue sky while hearing church bells ringing and beautiful music. As the cloud faded, a painting appeared on the wall of the Chapel picturing the Mother of God with the Divine Infant in her arms. It appears to be hanging in mid-air on the wall, supported only by the lower edge where it rests on a small base.
Mary began healing those who visited the image who were ill and granted them many graces. Followers of Mary continue to believe that She herself guards it with loving care. Those who witness the painting say that the colour of Mary’s complexion changes as does her expression, her smile, and her eyes. Copies of the image also help those who ask for Our Blessed Mother’s help.
The mystery surrounding this painting brings us to a little church in Scutari, Albania, home to the aforementioned fresco. The Turks were set to attack Albania and the church was to be taken over. Two Christian men who did not want to leave their blessed painting were visited in a dream by Our Mother Mary who instructed them to follow the painting. They witnessed the fresco leave the wall of their church and was carried by a cloud to Italy, where it currently resides in Genazzano. The men shared their story with those in Italy and their generations remained there.
Several popes have revered Our Lady of Good Counsel and encouraged Her devotion. Pope Benedict XIV (247th pope, 1740-1758) increased the devotion of the Marian Fresco by establishing the Pious Union. As news of this heavenly gift spread throughout Christianity, not all could visit the shrine, so the pope created this group. It was offered to all, rich and poor. Those who became members of the Pious Union sent their names written down to the shrine and were left at the painting. They also kept a copy of the fresco, recited 3 Hail Mary’s daily and once a year offered a Mass or Communion for their fellow union members. The register at the icon’s shrine shows Popes Pius VIII, Pius IX and Leo XIII all enrolled as members. Pope Pius XII placed his pontificate under the maternal care of Our Lady of Good Counsel. In honour of the Pious Union and its memory, I have included 3 Hail Mary’s to the chaplet.
During its restoration in the 1950’s, it was revealed that the image was part of a larger fresco and the identity of the artist became known. It is believed to be the work of the fifteenth century artist Gentile da Fabriano, painted around the time of Pope Martin V (1417-1431). Incidentally, Pope Martin V was born in Genazzano.
The Feast Day of Our Lady of Good Counsel is April 26.
The Novena of Our Lady of Good Counsel is April 17-25.
I offer the Chaplet of Our Lady of Good Counsel in blue. Each chaplet comes with a prayer page, a 7 cm x 11 cm copy of the painting, Our Lady of Good Counsel, as in the shrine in Genazzano, and a plastic storage bag. Sample images and prices are shown below.
The linear Chaplet of Our Lady of Good Counsel, inspired by the CWL crest, consists of felted white cross on a blue circular medallion, 6 beads and 1 end bead .
Chaplet of the Ten Evangelical Virtues of St. Joseph
For Adults
After creating Chaplet of Ten Evangelical Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I was called to make a similar one for St. Joseph. I paired each virtue with a meditation from Richard F. Clarke’s book “The Devout Year”, Short Meditations: March-St. Joseph, 1893. This chaplet also features Hail Joseph, a prayer I found in a 19th Century prayer book “A Novena of Meditation In Honour of St. Joseph, According to the Method of Saint Ignatius” 1874.
St. Joseph is often over-looked in our world today. Take some time and get to know the chosen father of Jesus and loving spouse of Mary. Keep in mind that this was the man that was made guardian of the divine child, that helped form the character of Jesus. St. Joseph also suffered alongside his Holy Spouse, and was witness to his grieving wife and the mother of his child. St. Joseph is Heaven sent. He is our spiritual father. Ask for his intercession.
I offer the Chaplet of the Ten Evangelical Virtues of St. Joseph in various colour combinations. Each chaplet comes with a prayer page and a plastic storage bag. Sample images and prices are shown below.
Chaplet of the Eight Evangelical Virtues of St. Joseph
For Children Grades 3-6
I was inspired to create this little chaplet for children based on the Chaplet of Eight Evangelical Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Let St. Joseph, who was chosen by the Holy Spirit to be Mary’s husband and Jesus’ earthly father, guide you to a blessed life.
This little chaplet of virtues offers St. Joseph as a role model for all to imitate. The best way to know his son Jesus is to know His chosen guardian and care-giver. Let St. Joseph be your spiritual father. Ask him for his guidance and protection. Take his hand and let him show you the way. Trust Joseph to give you loving comfort even when you sin. Trust him throughout your lifetime. Always and Forever.
Featuring Hail Joseph, a prayer I found in a 19th Century prayer book “A Novena of Meditation In Honour of St. Joseph, According to the Method of Saint Ignatius” 1874.
I offer the Chaplet of the Eight Evangelical Virtues of St. Joseph in various colour combinations. Each chaplet comes with a prayer page and a plastic storage bag. Sample images and prices are shown below.
Chaplet of the Eight Evangelical Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary
For Children Grades 3-6
I was inspired to create this little chaplet for children based on the Chaplet of Ten Evangelical Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary for adults.
“Let the soul of Mary be in each of us to magnify the Lord and the spirit of Mary be in each of us to rejoice in God” St. Ambrose
This little chaplet of virtues offers Mary as a role model for all to imitate. The best way to know her son Jesus is to know His Blessed Mother. Let Mary be your spiritual mother. Let her guide you to him. Take Her hand and let her show you the way. Trust Her to give you loving comfort even when you sin. Trust Her throughout your lifetime. Always and Forever.
I offer the Chaplet of the Eight Evangelical Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary in various colour combinations. Each chaplet comes with a prayer page and a plastic storage bag. Sample images and prices are shown below.
