Prayer shawls

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A prayer shawl is a shawl that has been knitted or crocheted by a caring person (crafter) for someone who: is facing a serious illness or surgery, is grieving, is facing difficult life circumstances, or is rejoicing in a happy event such as a wedding, the birth of a baby, a baptism, a graduation, a new home or any other significant moment in life.

Many blessings are knitted or crocheted into every shawl. The crafter begins each shawl with prayers for the recipient. Prayers are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. When the shawl is completed, it is offered a final blessing during the Sunday liturgies before being given away.

The shawls are meant to serve as mantles of God's gentle love and blessings, that the recipient will be enfolded in warmth, peace, strength and comfort.

I learned about the Prayer shawl ministry when I joined our parish's Catholic Women's League. The prayer shawls that I make are submitted to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. They are given during the gathering of many survivors of Indian Residential Schools who share their truth about their experience at the schools.

Please click picture to enlarge.

Prayer Of Blessing (blessing for a completed shawl)
© 2014 All rights reserved. By: Janet Severi Bristow - 2000 www.shawlministry.com

May God's grace be upon this shawl...
warming, comforting, enfolding and embracing.
May this mantle be a safe haven... a sacred place of security and well-being...
sustaining and embracing in good times as well as difficult ones.

May the one who receives this shawl be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace,
and wrapped in love.
Blessed Be!

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