For many years now, I have been collecting catholic icons.. mostly St.Therese & Mother Mary but I am especially drawn to old rosary beads. I was not born catholic.. hell no.. my nan would turn in her grave if she knew that I had converted to catholicism and I was just about excommunicated from the family when I did. My mother was heard to say that she felt like she had lost a daughter. But at the time, it was where my spiritual path had taken me and with great gusto I embraced the teachings of that faith.
I was drawn to Mother Mary from the start - feeling such love coming from statues in the church. Was told by many that it was just a statue.. but did they not feel all those prayers, wishes, hopes and dreams that had been said in front of that statue? Did they not feel the utter hopelessness of some people who had knelt in front of the statue in times of great need. Not knowing what to do or who to turn to?.....
time went on and I travelled through life.. taking different paths... finding my roots but always still having a fascination for all things of catholic iconic origin...just lately Mother Mary has been around me.. I was fighting this so much because I am not a 'practising catholic' now... I don't really know what I am. does it matter? Mary is not Catholic. I am convinced that she is the Goddess.
Even the Beatles sang of Mother Mary in 'Let it Be'(yes, I know there are 'theories' that the song is not about the Mary I talk about, why do people always need to find a deeper meaning in songs ??)..........
Mother Mary is there for all. to help us through times of trial and in our hours of darkness.. speaking words of wisdom..
I am still drawn to my rosary beads especially. When ever I hold them, I can feel the hope, wishes and dreams of those who have fervently prayed in times of stress.
Yesterday as I dusted, I touched the rosary beads that sit around Buddhas neck.. and I felt something I had never felt before. I felt the spirit of the woman who had held them. Anguish, yet such hope came through my fingers... a calm amidst a storm..... yes, those rosary beads, the beads that are worn through with use, the beads that have lost their lustre replaced with shiny worn beads from so much use.. those beads attract me more than new ones ever would.
16 comments:
I will share a story with you, as it was told to me.
My friend was Catholic, and very devout. her brother, also Catholic, but a busy business man with no time for God.
One day he was flying from Milan to London on a return business trip, when the stewardess showed a stooped over old women in a nuns habit to the seat next to him.
She was not very pretty, and seemed to be a million years old. Wrapped around her fingers was an old worn carved wooden rosary.
As the flight progressed towards London, he realized that many of the passengers were staring at this woman, when he realized who she was.
"Are you Mother Theresa?" he asked her.
She smiled and said "yes"
Can you imagine his shock?
she asked him" are you Catholic?"
well he squirmed in his seat a little and said " yes"
"and do you say the Rosary?" she asked him.
" not very often" he replied, attempting to be honest with this incredible woman.
She took the old beads off her hand and handed them to him.
With a twinkle in her eye she said " I bet you do now."
You never know who has held those beads, and what peace they may have found in them.
~smiles~
Similar journey here Robyn.When I had to choose a confirmation name,(I was 20 yrs old at the time) I kept hearing the name "Margaret", not a name that normally appeals to me at all.Having then clarified there was a Saint Margaret,I chose that.I found out many years later that Margaret was my great great grandmother's name, an Irish Catholic immigrant, who's faith meant a lot to her. The Catholocism was lost after many generations. My family were not the least bit interested in any of it.Irish Catholics? Who? I delight in your personal journey. I think spirituality is a fluid and flexible thing....also, hope your brother in law is O.K. Robyn, and that you are enjoying the cooler weather.Much love.
The feeling of love I get from Mother Mary is completely removed from the male dominated Catholic Church. I don't think you have to be Catholic or any other religion to recieve blessings and guidance from Spirit....however I rejoice at anyone who finds peace in their beliefs. Sending love.
xx
Whatever, whoever brings you peace, inspiration and guidance is truly magical :)
Spirit - and what moves us towards Spirit, is what is more important than dogma, I think.
Hugs to you!
XOXO
WOW....Sorrow's story gave me shivers....how special!
I have always loved rosary beads too but would you believe, I don't even own any now. I still have my little 'holy' card of the Virgin Mary from 1975 and my Catholic Mass prayer book from 1972! I guess I still feel a connection somehow because I have kept them all these years. I was baptised Catholic...my Dad was an Irish Catholic and my Mum had converted from Church of England to Catholocism before they married. I went to a Catholic school but, in my adult years, I became quite disallusioned with all the hypocrises so I leaned more towards the Buddhist/spiritual/new age beliefs. Now, I'm hooked on Abraham/Hicks and Eckhart Tolle's teachings.
I think it all serves as a purpose to keep me focused on my own inner belief system....the deeper connection to Source on a spiritual level.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful pics, Robyn!
Hi, Robyn,
Why do you think so many women (and not many men) pray to Mary? She IS the goddess. That idea comes through very strongly at the end of the mini-series, "The Mists of Avalon." (I can't remember if this idea was portrayed quite as strongly at the end of the book.)
Anyway, I grew up Lutheran and our pastors were always putting down Mary. "Why pray to Mary? Where in the Bible does it say 'Pray to Mary'? Jesus said 'Pray to me'", etc. etc. But now I get it!~
Women still have a connection, to and recognize, the goddess, even after all these millennia.
Whatever brings you comfort and peace, I don't think it matters whether you are "practising" or not.
To feel spirit from that rosary, thts something special.
oh Robyn, the more and more I read your blog the more I can relate to you. My mother and her family (spanish/irish ancestors) were raised as catholics too but I'm definitely not either :-)
It's ok for those who are though...it just doesn't suit me.
coming in part from Irish Catholics, my mum and great, great gran are named margaret too~i always wonder what they would have made of my path?
That is a beautiful story Sorrow. I can relate to you a lot Robyn !! My father was a protestant and my mother a Roman catholic, they both broke with the church for several reasons, but Mother Mary always gave me a great feeling. When I'm in a sterange town I always visit the Catholic church and burn a candle at Mother Mary's feet for my nans and my mother in law and all the other people I have lost.
I totally relate to this post Robyn. One day we will discuss this over a cup of tea I think.
I am SOOO envious of your rain. It is unbelievably dry here and more hot weather forecast. I found my kitchen sink full of ants (ewww) no food around - not a crumb - they'd come for the little puddles of water lying there.
..oh and I love Sorrow's story too. Fantastic.
Hi Robyn! I've read your blog and enjoyed it! I too am Catholic, descended from Irish grandparents. I also like to collect bits, beads and buttons. Glad I found you.
I can so relate to your post. I go through hot and cold phases with the rosary, statues, medals, holy cards. For the last couple years I've had them put up, not out in the forefront. But lately, they've been coming out again. My younger girls wanted to learn the rosary, so we've been praying one decade every day. I'm not much of a 'rosary prayer', but I love the beads. Then my dh repaired my very special Miraculous Medal so I've been wearing that. I love the thought of the connection to others who have prayed on those beads or in front those icons/statues. That is the connection I cling to.
I'm a regular Mass goer as my dh is Catholic and we are raising our children Catholic. I love the liturgy, prayers, sacramentals, the spirituality, but not so much the theology, so I'm having a difficult time trying to figure out where I fit in.
Nohey, you put your finger on it: Mother Mary was not a Catholic. There was no such thing in her time, and I will be bold enough to say that the subsequent Christian religions have very little to do with Jesus and his life....
I love old rosaries too!
xxoo
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