The scarabattola is midway between the devotional image and the art object. This is how this ancient and still current art was born.

The name scarabattola has a bizarre, even funny sound, especially considering that what it refers to as funny really has nothing at all. It derives from the Spanish word escaprate, which means showcase, and perhaps also from the dialectal term carabattolo, jar. Certainly, the Spanish definition is more appropriate, considering that the scarabattola, or doodle, is a display case, a display case used to contain a sacred image, an artistic composition depicting a scene from the Holy Scriptures, an episode from the life of Our Lady, Jesus, or a Saint. In fact, the term is also used as a synonym for newsstand, to indicate the container with glass walls intended to protect relics and sacred objects on the occasion of the veneration of the faithful.

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Nativity in a bell jar 40×30 cm for 15 cm Neapolitan Nativity Scene

Bell jar made of glass with wooden base, containing a reproduction of the Nativity with characters of 15 cm average height.

Between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, the scarabattola was considered a real form of art in our country, especially in Neapolitan, Sicily and Rome, where these particular showcases were built with the aim of preserving and protecting sacred works made with materials and decorated with colours that could have been ruined over time from atmospheric agents and wear and tear. We must think that the most appreciated devotional objects in the Neapolitan tradition of the time were small sculptures, often made in imitation of more famous works of art, reproposed in papier-mâché, plaster, ceroplasty (the technique used to make anatomical models at the same time), and often covered with precious fabrics and precious and very, very delicate accessories.

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Holy Family in glass dome, 8 cm Neapolitan nativity

The nativity scene has 8 cm figurines, 100% handmade by Neapolitan artisans.

The expressiveness of the characters and the accuracy of the realisation were the reasons why an ancient doodle could be considered in all respects an object of art, worthy of decorating a church, a convent, a family chapel, but also a private house. In fact, unlike the already widespread newsagents and glass cases, which closed the sculpture they guarded from every height, the scarabattola was a real piece of furniture, often made of carved wood, with gilding and ornaments of great value, such as Sicilian scarabattolas, with mother-of-pearl and coral inserts, and one of the glass walls that could be opened.

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White glass case 50x30x30 cm with 18 cm Holy Family, of Nativity Scene

Case made of glass and white wood containing the statues of the Holy Family.

The Nativity scene in a scarabattola

In addition to the scenes taken from the Gospels, such as the flight to Egypt, the Deposition, the Lamentation over the dead Jesus Christ, and the Resurrection, but also the representations of the Child Mary, the scarabattola has always been strongly linked to the Christmas tradition of the Neapolitan Nativity scene. The Neapolitan Nativity scene is a popular art form that expresses a deep, visceral devotion. In it, imagination and faith are mixed to create an expressive form that combines sacred and profane, religious symbolism and folklore, all codified according to ancient and essential rules. In particular, the characters of the Nativity scene of the 18th century in Naples hide deep and surprising meanings, always straddling the traditions of life on the streets of Naples, of the most humble people, with their ugliness and their extravagances, their sins and their longing for Heaven, and mystical symbolism, not necessarily Christian.

These characters, and more generally the scenes related to the birth of Jesus, to the so-called Nativity, have always been widely used to fill the scarves. While we can therefore associate this particular art with the world of Neapolitan Nativity scene craftsmen, we must not forget the profound artistic and literary influences of this expressive form, which has survived until now. Even today it is possible to buy wonderful scarves that contain reproductions of scenes from the Nativity and characters from the Nativity scene.

In our online shop, you can also find some, such as the enchanting Nativity in the glass bell, made of resin and protected by a 45 cm high glass bell. The bell can be removed and the sacred composition remains resting on an elegant finely decorated bronze pedestal.

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Holy Family set in glass dome, 6 cm Neapolitan nativity scene

The nativity scene is made of terracotta and dressed with treated fabrics, 100% handcrafted in Italy.

Another example of a valuable scarabattolo that you can find in our shop is the Nativity Scene glass bell in resin.

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Nativity in glass bell resin 45 cm

Nativity in 45 cm resin with removable glass bell on bronze coloured pedestal.

At Christmas, a scarabattolo can replace the traditional Nativity scene in your home, giving it all the charm of a timeless art object at the same time.

Blessed saints are key figures in the history of the Catholic Church. Even today, men and women are deemed worthy of being canonized. Here are the modern saints proclaimed by Pope Francis.

Canonization is a practice that the Catholic Church has carried out since its inception, shared with Eastern-rite Churches and the Orthodox Church. Anglicans do not practice it, and Protestants, who do not recognize the veneration of saints, reject it altogether. But what does it involve? It is the official proclamation of a man or woman’s sainthood, recognizing not only their status as blessed, meaning they hold a special place in Heaven, but also promoting their veneration among the faithful. The process to achieve this involves a particular procedure that can take many years. The first documented canonization dates back to 993 AD, when Pope John XV proclaimed St. Ulrich, Bishop of Augsburg, a saint. Since then, thousands of men and women have been canonized—1,726 saints since 1588 alone. Compiling an exact census of all saints and blessed is challenging, considering the martyrs and those whose veneration was abolished and later restored over the centuries. Some Popes proclaimed dozens, others none, and the canonization process has evolved and transformed over the centuries, leading to the one we know today.

But what does it take to be proclaimed a modern saint?  First and foremost, it is still the Pope who ultimately decides who is to be proclaimed a saint. The entire procedure passes through various phases, under the strict supervision of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Church body responsible for beatification processes.

Let’s take a look at the contemporary saints—those canonized from 2019 to today.

Canonizations by Pope Francis

Compared to many of his predecessors, Pope Francis has celebrated an impressive number of canonizations, canonizing 909 saints from 2013 to 2022. Seven were recognized through equipollent canonization.

Let’s pause briefly on the difference between equipollent canonization and beatification and formal canonizations.

In general, equipollent refers to cases where beatification and canonization are granted by papal decree, legitimizing and recognizing a long-established, spontaneous cult without the need for further specific investigations or attesting to the presence of one or more miracles. Equipollent canonization and beatification, therefore, concern the “ancient blessed,” who already have a well-established and longstanding veneration. Equipollent beatification occurs when the Holy See officially and solemnly recognizes the cult and sanctity of the blessed, perhaps after proving their martyrdom, and formally declares them saints.

Equipollent canonization, on the other hand, involves the recognition of three criteria:

• Antiquity of the cult;
• Constant and widespread testimony to signs of faith, virtues, or evidence of martyrdom;
• Uninterrupted reputation for miracles attributed to their intercession.

Formal beatifications and canonizations, in contrast, require a lengthy and regular canonization process, involving the recognition of a miracle (for beatification) and a second miracle (for canonization).

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Pope Francis

This department is entirely dedicated to Pope Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

Let’s review the canonizations proclaimed by Pope Francis in the last four years, noting that in previous years, the Pope also promoted many notable canonizations, including that of John Paul II, beatified in 2011 by his successor Pope Benedict XVI and proclaimed a saint by Pope Francis in 2014.

Saints Canonized in 2019

Among the canonizations proclaimed by Pope Francis in 2019 in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square during the solemn canonization Mass on 13 October are:

• Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801-1890), an Anglican who converted to Catholicism and founded the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Birmingham. The cause for the beatification and canonization of Blessed John Henry Newman began in 1958 under the old norms of the Codex Iuris Canonici. After the initial process confirmed his fame of sanctity and miracles, the apostolic process was conducted from 1984 to 1986 to demonstrate his specific virtues. In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI beatified the Venerable Newman on 19 September 2010. Pope Francis later authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree *super miraculo*, recognizing the miraculous healing of a mother in Chicago in 2013, who invoked the Cardinal when she was at risk of dying from a severe abdominal hemorrhage, which stopped instantly.
• Mother Giuseppina Vannini (1859-1911), founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Camillus, dedicated to assisting the sick. She was recognized as Blessed by John Paul II in 1992, with the recognition of a miracle in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1958.
• Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidyan (1876-1926), a religious sister devoted to charity who followed Christ’s footsteps among the poorest and most marginalized, founding the Congregation of the Holy Family in Thrissur. She was proclaimed a saint through the *Decreto super Miraculo* for the recognition of miraculous healings attributed to her.
• Dulce Lopes Pontes (1914-1992), a professed nun of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God.
• Marguerite Bays (1815-1879), a virgin and laywoman of the Secular Franciscan Order, who worked as a seamstress while dedicating herself to helping others without ever neglecting prayer.

Through equipollent canonization, St. Bartholomew Fernandes of the Martyrs (1514-1590), Archbishop of Braga, a man of great integrity who devoted himself with love and charity to his flock and left behind many valuable writings, was declared a saint.

Blessed Canonized in 2020

There were no canonizations in 2020, but there were some beatifications of men and women destined to become new saints and blessed. Among them, we remember the young Carlo Acutis, the “blessed of the digital age,” who died at just 15 from leukemia. He was a layperson deeply devoted to the Virgin Mary and the Eucharist. He is credited with creating websites and projects on faith while volunteering with the homeless and at soup kitchens.

Other notable figures include:

• Blessed Giovanni Tavelli da Tossignano (1386-1446), from the Order of Jesuates and Bishop of Ferrara;
• Maria Luigia of the Most Blessed Sacrament (1826-1886), founder of the Franciscan Sisters Adorers of the Holy Cross, dedicated to educating youth, assisting the sick, elderly, and disabled;
• Olinto Marella (1882-1969), a diocesan priest and founder of the “Little Workers” dedicated to after-school care and vocational training. Known as “Father Marella,” he had a deep faith and insight into the rapid changes of modernity;
• Michael McGivney (1852-1890), diocesan priest and founder of the Knights of Columbus, a global organization with over 1.5 million members committed to evangelization, charity, racial integration, and religious freedom;
• Giovanni Roig y Diggle (1917-1936), layperson and martyr, killed in odium fidei at the age of 19 during the Spanish Civil War.

Saints Canonized in 2021

In 2021, Pope Francis proclaimed Saint Margaret of Città di Castello (1287-1320), a medieval mystic dedicated to prayer and severe penance, through equipollent canonization.

Saints Canonized in 2022

On May 15, 2022, in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis canonized the following:

• Lazarus Devasahayam Pillai (1712-1752), an Indian layman, father, and martyr, beatified by Pope Benedict XVI. Killed during the Christian persecution in the Kingdom of Travancore for renouncing Hinduism, he became the first Indian layman to become a saint;
• César de Bus (1544-1607), a priest who, after converting from a worldly life, dedicated himself to preaching and catechesis, founding the Congregation of the Fathers of Christian Doctrine;
• Luigi Maria Palazzolo (1827-1886), a priest from Bergamo who founded the Sisters of the Poor and the Brothers of the Holy Family;
• Giustino Maria Russolillo (1891-1955), an Italian priest who founded the Society of Divine Vocations for the promotion of priestly and consecrated life vocations;
• Maria Francesca di Gesù (Anna Maria Rubatto) (1844-1904), founder of the Capuchin Sisters of Loano, who worked as a missionary among the indigenous people of Latin America and was the first saint of Uruguay;
• Maria Domenica Mantovani (1862-1934), founder of the Institute of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family, dedicated to the care of the poor, orphans, and the sick;
• Titus Brandsma (1881-1942), a Dutch priest of the Order of Carmelites, who was martyred at Dachau concentration camp after defending the Church and humanity against Nazi atrocities;
• Marie Rivier (1768-1838), a religious woman who lived during the French Revolution and founded the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary;
• Maria di Gesù Santocanale (1852-1923), founder of the Capuchin Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of Lourdes, She gave up wealth and comfort to dedicate her life to the poor and the vulnerable.

On 9 October 2022, Pope Francis presided over the Eucharistic celebration and the canonisation of Blessed Artemide Zatti and Giovanni Battista Scalabrini in St Peter’s Square. The first, Artemide Zatti (1880-1951), belonged to the Society of St Francis de Sales and devoted his life to the poor. He lived in Patagonia, where he sacrificed himself for the care of the needy in Viedma Hospital.

Giovanni Battista Scalabrini (1839-1905) was the Bishop of Piacenza and the founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St Charles and the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of St Charles Borromeo. He made significant contributions in assisting farmers, workers, and migrants in America.

From eco-friendly Christmas trees to DIY decorations, recycled candles, and waste-free festive feasts, here’s a small guide for a sustainable Christmas—for us and the planet.

Christmas is a time when many feel they can bring out the best in themselves, both for themselves and for others. The festive atmosphere, the sense of warmth and togetherness that fills the air, truly inspires people to be kinder and to hope that the world can indeed become a better place. However, it’s important to remember that most of the improvements we can make come from our own actions—our virtuous or less virtuous behaviour—and the ethical and sustainable choices we are willing to make. Let’s take a moment to focus on the word “sustainable,” which should be the key term for both our present and future. The synonyms that can guide us, if we want to choose a sustainable Christmas, are “endurable, tolerable,” but also “possible, reasonable, logical, acceptable.” Reasonable and acceptable for us, but most importantly for the planet, which too often—and increasingly—struggles under the weight of indiscriminate exploitation that a significant portion of humanity has subjected it to for decades.

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Christmas

Here you will find a selection of all the Christmas articles such as: complete nativity sets, home decorations, tree decorations.

That’s why it’s important to pay attention to what we do, what we buy, to resist once again the fever of compulsive shopping, and instead aim to limit waste, opt for ecological and long-lasting choices, and forget about those charming but useless (and often harmful and polluting) trinkets that seem essential during the festive season.

So, let’s embrace creative reuse and eco-friendly solutions, from gifts to decorations for the tree and home, to the Christmas tree itself. Also, consider using recycled paper and fabrics for wrapping, rather than the colourful paper that inevitably ends up in the bin by evening, and make an effort to reduce food waste at the festive table.

Too much effort? Not really. It’s now easy to find beautiful and well-made eco-friendly products that will allow you to enjoy a pleasant Christmas without any sacrifices—plus, with the added satisfaction of having made a small yet significant gesture for the future of the planet and those who will live on it.

Simple Tips for Minimal Environmental Impact

DIY Christmas Candles

Atmosphere is essential at Christmas—it’s what makes the home warmer, more welcoming, for those who live there and for friends and guests alike, creating a cosy, magical environment. Candles have always been a must-have element, but this year, instead of buying new ones, why not try recycling leftover wax to create your own unique DIY candles? You can use candles set aside from the previous year, or those found around the house, like leftover centrepiece candles or Advent candles that weren’t fully burned, and give them a new, glowing life by melting the wax and using jars, cups, or glasses as moulds. You can colour them with special dyes and decorate them with holly branches, berries, and ribbons to create your own personalised centrepiece with your recycled candles. You’ll fill your home with light while being mindful of savings, recycling, and creativity.

Artificial Christmas Trees: Beautiful and Reusable

Then comes the time to put up the Christmas tree. Do you already know which one you’ll choose? A real or artificial tree? Both options have their pros and cons. Choosing a real tree, although it might seem like the more eco-friendly option, isn’t always the case. Many trees are imported from other countries, which means a long and polluting journey to get here. Others are grown in Italy but on monoculture plantations that use chemical fertilisers and insect repellents. You can choose a real tree if you’re sure it comes from local, mixed cultivation—ideally organic and sustainable.
An artificial Christmas tree, on the other hand, can last for many years. Our store offers magnificent, realistic trees designed to last, which will make your living room festive and welcoming. Whether you prefer snowy, LED-lit, or trees with unique colours, flocking, cones, and berries, all from the best brands and made from non-toxic, safe materials for both children and pets, there’s something for everyone. Many of our trees are also flame-retardant, like the splendid Prelit Christmas tree “Green”, 650 warm white LEDs, 240 cm, removable pinecones, poly, the Snowy Seneca Flocked Tree with built-in LED lights, or the majestic Christmas tree “Green”, 210 cm, removable pinecones, poly.

Of course, it’s up to you to also choose eco-friendly decorations, avoiding plastic ones and perhaps using upcycled materials to create beautiful DIY ornaments.

Green prelit Christmas tree 240 cm 650 warm white LEDs removable poly pine cones
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Green flocked Christmas tree 240 cm Snowy Seneca 2300 LEDs
Buy on Holyart

Green Christmas Tree 210 cm removable pine cones
Buy on Holyart

Sustainability at the Dinner Table

What about the table? No one will ever ask you to give up the delicious dishes that are part of the Christmas tradition, but a few simple steps can help reduce food waste during the festivities. First of all, hooray for creative recycling! Leftovers from Christmas Eve or Christmas lunch can be reinvented in a thousand ways, such as delicious croquettes made from leftover pasta, or tasty meat and fishballs.

And for desserts, which are a must at the festive table, why not make them yourself? You can satisfy even the sweetest tooth and avoid the purchase of pre-made cakes. It’s a healthy, economical, and delightful way to show your love to those you care about.

Finally, why not opt for a vegetarian or even vegan Christmas? There are plenty of delicious recipes that don’t use animal products, allowing you to make an even more eco-friendly and healthy choice for the planet and all its living creatures. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful Christmas gift?

Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on the 7th of October. Born from the memory of a Christian military victory, this feast became a key moment in the veneration of the Virgin and in the practice of the Rosary.

October is the month of the Rosary, and it is impossible to discuss it without focusing on the figure of the Virgin Mary, who is the symbol and inspiration of this much-loved devotion. In fact, it was she herself who, in 1208, gave the first Rosary to St. Dominic of Guzman, the founder of the Dominican friars, presenting it as the most effective weapon against heresies and as a tool for faith and non-violent conversion.

Over time, Our Lady of the Rosary became one of the most common depictions of the Virgin Mary, especially after the Counter-Reformation. The apparition to St. Dominic also gave rise to the devotion of Our Lady of the Rosary, commemorated by the Church on the 7th of October, the day in 1571 when the Battle of Lepanto took place, during which the fleet of the Holy League defeated that of the Ottoman Empire.

The iconography of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary is unmistakable: clothed in a bright blue robe, holding a Rosary, often with the Child in her arms, Mary is frequently depicted alongside St. Dominic of Guzman and St. Catherine of Siena.

One of the main centres of the devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary is the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary in Pompeii, where millions of devotees from all over the world make a pilgrimage every year to pray to the Virgin and invoke her intervention for grace. The first stone of the Sanctuary was laid on the 8th of May, 1876, and on that occasion, the supplication written by Bartolo Longo was recited as an act of love and devotion to Our Lady of Pompeii. The same supplication is recited on the 7th of October, the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary.

From Our Lady of Victory to Our Lady of the Rosary

The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on the 7th of October is, in fact, an evolution of the feast of Our Lady of Victory, established on the same day by Pope Pius V to commemorate and celebrate the victory of the Holy League, made up of Venice, Spain, and the Papal States, against the Ottoman Empire. The battle took place on the 7th of October, 1571, and on that occasion, according to legend, Pope Pius V recommended that all Christian forces recite the Rosary before the battle. For this reason, he was so confident of victory that he ordered the bells to ring in celebration even before the battle was over, to announce that the Christians had won. They did indeed win and attributed the victory to the Virgin Mary and her loving intercession. Since then, the 7th of October was consecrated to Our Lady of Victory. Pius V’s successor, Pope Gregory XIII, changed the dedication to Our Lady of the Rosary.

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Resin statue of Our Lady of the Rosary 5 in

Small statue of Our Lady of the Rosary standing on a pedestal with Jesus Child on her left arm.

The Saints Under Our Lady of the Rosary

As mentioned earlier, in sacred iconography, Our Lady of the Rosary is often depicted alongside St. Dominic of Guzman and St. Catherine of Siena, the patron saint of Italy and one of the most famous mystics in history, also associated with the Dominican order as a member of the Dominican Tertiaries known as the Sisters of Penance of St. Dominic.

St. Dominic of Guzman, the saint devoted to Christ, was the founder of the Dominican friars. A strong opponent of heresies, he was entrusted by the Virgin Mary with the strength to combat them using the Rosary as his weapon and spent his life preaching and praying. It was said of him: “Tender as a mother, strong as a diamond.”

The choice of these two saints alongside Mary reflects the importance of the Dominican order in spreading devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary since ancient times. One of the most famous depictions of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary is the painting attributed to Luca Giordano, housed in the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary in Pompeii. In this painting too, the Virgin is depicted with the Child in her arms, with the Child offering a Rosary to St. Dominic and the Virgin offering one to St. Catherine.

The iconography of Our Lady of the Rosary is derived from that of the Madonna della Cintola, which preceded it. The cult of the Madonna della Cintola refers to an episode in which St. Thomas, who did not believe that the Virgin had been assumed into heaven, insisted on opening her tomb, only to find the girdle of her garment. The Holy Girdle is preserved as a precious relic in Prato, in the Cathedral. On the 8th of September, the day when the Nativity of Mary is traditionally celebrated, it is solemnly displayed.

Our Lady of Pompeii

Blessed Bartolo Longo was not only the author of the supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii but also a great promoter of the devotion to the Rosary. Originally from Puglia, he lived in the second half of the 19th century and for a long time worked as a lawyer, harbouring anti-clerical views and a passion for spiritualism. Only later did he embrace the faith and join the Third Order of St. Dominic. He married Countess Marianna Farnararo De Fusco, a wealthy widow for whom he had become an administrator of the estate and tutor to her children. While exploring some properties the countess owned near Pompeii, he heard a mysterious voice urging him to spread the Rosary to attain Salvation. Inspired by this voice, Longo began preaching devotion to the Holy Rosary of Our Lady of Pompeii. It was also he who recovered the painting of Our Lady of the Rosary by Luca Giordano, which was donated to him by Sister Maria Concetta de Litala and to which many miracles and great healing powers were attributed. This allowed him to raise the necessary funds to build the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary in Pompeii.
Three modern popes have visited the Sanctuary in Pompeii: John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.

Father Pio was also very devoted to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii and made a pilgrimage to her Sanctuary at least three times in his life. Shortly before he died, the saint was given red roses by a devotee and asked that one be taken to Our Lady of Pompeii as an offering. The devotee obeyed, and that rose remained in bloom for a long time, even after Padre Pio’s death.

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Padre Pio

Department entirely dedicated to Padre Pio of Pietralcina.

The 5-Finger Prayer is an effective method suggested by Pope Francis to ensure that no one is forgotten in our prayers.

When Pope Francis was the Bishop of Buenos Aires, he already manifested all the human and faithful qualities that we still appreciate today. Chief among them is his love for simplicity, which should not be confused with banality or superficiality. We’re talking about the ability to make even complex, solemn, and profound concepts and actions easily understandable and accessible to everyone. It’s akin to explaining something complicated and hard to understand to a child. The 5-Finger Prayer falls into this category of simplified messages and tools created by the Pontiff to embrace as many faithful as possible and assist them in their journey of devotion and faith.

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Pope Francis

Pope Francis: this department is entirely dedicated to Pope Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

Pope Francis wrote this prayer over twenty years ago and immediately gifted it to the devoted people of Argentina, who greatly appreciated it. The 5-Finger Prayer is nothing more than a list of individuals for whom it is right and necessary to pray every day, divided into groups associated with the fingers of a hand, establishing a sort of priority scale. The basic concept is simple: love for one another.

We have seen, focusing on figures of saints and blessed ones like Mother Teresa of Calcutta, how important and essential the concept of charity is for a Christian. Charity is the virtue in the name of which a person loves God above all else and the neighbour as oneself. The foundation of charity is love. Jesus left us a new commandment, in many ways the most important one, which should be the basis of our daily lives. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

Love must be the priority for each of us, not only in helping others, which can be manifested through works of charity and mercy but above all with love for those close to us. Pope Francis’s prayer is based on:

– Love for the family

– Dedication to others

– Hospitality

– Mercy

– Devotion to God

During October, the month of the Rosary, let us remember the importance of love, and how essential it is in our existence. The Rosary is an ideal instrument of devotion to convey this love because, among all prayers, it is the one that brings us closest to Jesus, through the intercession of His Mother and by imitating His example.

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Jasmine perfumed rosary beads, red, Pope Francis

This rosary has grains in perfumed PVC measuring 7mm.

The 5-Finger Prayer by Pope Francis:

Thumb – The closest finger to you.

Begin by praying for those who are closest to you. These are the people you remember most easily. Praying for our loved ones is a “sweet obligation.”

Index finger – The pointing finger.

Pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal. This category includes teachers, professors, doctors, and priests. They need support and wisdom to guide others in the right direction. Always remember them in your prayers.

Middle finger – The tallest one.

It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, and leaders. They are the people who manage the destiny of our nation and influence public opinion. They need God’s guidance.

Ring finger – The weakest one.

Surprisingly, this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher can confirm. It is there to remind us to pray for the weakest, those facing challenges, and the sick. They need your prayers day and night. Prayers for them will never be too many. It is also there to encourage us to pray for married couples.

Pinky finger – The smallest one.

The smallest of all, just as we should feel small before God and others. As the Bible says, “The last will be first.” The pinky finger reminds you to pray for yourself. After you have prayed for everyone else, it is then that you can better understand your needs from the right perspective.

From a dissolute man to the founder of the Camillians, Saint Camillo de Lellis is the universal patron of the sick, nurses and hospitals

Anyone who knew San Camillo de Lellis when he was young would never have imagined that that bully was devoted to gambling and tavern fights, He could have been a saint! Yet he really spent his youth among military garrisons and brothels, following his father officer in the service of Spain, and became a soldier of fortune in turn, leading a life totally untidy and devoted to gambling. Because of this vice, he lost everything and began to live on the street, begging and wandering without a goal, until he was welcomed in the Convent of the Capuchins of Manfredonia, who took it as a factotum. He began his conversion around 1575, but before he could take the vows he spent a long time in the hospital of San Giacomo degli Incurabili in Rome, first to heal an old foot wound, then as a servant, finally as a Treasurer and House Master. This hospital took in patients suffering from particularly serious and repugnant diseases, often incurable, to the point that they were often left at the entrance as parcels. It was precisely through interacting with these social waste, with these human wastes, that Saint Camillo de Lellis discovered his vocation for the care of the sick. With five companions he founded the Society of Ministers of the Sick in 1582.

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Holy Oil stock vintage model, INF

Holy Oil stock vintage model, INF. Each stock with Holy Oil of the Sick is 3.5 cm in diameter and 8 cm high.

He then moved to the convent of the Church of La Maddalena and began to take care of the sick and infirm at the hospital of Santo Spirito in Sassia. In the meantime, he received the vows, after studying under the guidance of Saint Filippo Neri. In 1591 his Society was recognized as a religious order and assumed the name of Order of Ministers of the Sick. The order was characterized, in addition to the usual vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, by a fourth vow: assistance to the sick even with danger of life.

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Funeral products

Cremation urns for ashes entirely handmade by Italian craftsmen; lights, plates and applications for cemeteries, flower vases.

The Order of Regular Clerics Ministers of the Sick, which would later take the name of Camillians from its founder, spread rapidly throughout Italy, with groups of monks serving in small and large hospitals.
Saint Camillo de Lellis died on 14 July 1614 in the Convent of La Maddalena, seat of his Order, and was buried here. Benedict XIV proclaimed him a saint in 1746 and later he became the universal patron of the sick, nurses and hospitals together with St John of God.

To understand the importance of the mission of San Camillo de Lellis we must think that in that era the care of the sick, especially in hospitals of the incurables, was often entrusted to mercenaries and criminals, forced to serve in these frightening places. Camillo drew up real Rules that were to define the figure of the servant of the sick, as he himself defined the religious nurses of the Society. In addition to imposing on his companions the renunciation of all secular goods that could have diverted them from their duties, it also required them a suitable culture and scientific preparation, because charity alone was not enough to save human lives. We have seen how the anointing of the sick is still considered today a precious rite to bring relief to those who suffer. This makes us understand how comforting it could be in places of suffering and disease the presence of men who were priests, as well as nurses, and they could provide medical care and at the same time impart anointing to the sick.

Prayer at San Camillo de Lellis

Here is a prayer for the sick that can be recited on 14 July, the day of the liturgical memory of Saint Camillo de Lellis, or whenever you feel the need to pray for the health of a sick loved one or for ourselves. Prayer brings an indispensable comfort, by medicating the body through the spirit and giving the sufferer the strength to face the disease with more courage and will to heal.

Oh Saint Camillo, who endured for so many years with unchanging patience a painful illness, Obtain for us to accept with a spirit of faith the infirmities and tribulations that the Lord will send us for our good and purification. You who have devoted your life with kindness and love to the care of the sick, bringing consolation and hope to all, obtain for us the grace to recognize Jesus in our suffering neighbour and serve him with great generosity of heart.