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albeto
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| Posted: Jan 16 2009 at 7:19pm | IP Logged
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On Christmas Eve my youngest ds' new pet snake ran away (okay, slithered). Ds (9) was distraught, sad, scared, angry. We prayed to St. Francis to watch over the snake and to St. Anthony to find him. I specificly didn't pray to bring the snake back but to watch over him and make sure he's safe, where ever he should be (I was sure we would never see him again). With the oldest ds (13) officially declaring himself an atheist, I didn't want to give fodder for doubt to the others ("God couldn't answer our prayers...").
But low and behold, this week the snake was found alive and well! Ds was thrilled, of course, and told me how many times he prayed to St. Francis and St. Anthony to find his snake. Never having experienced anything like this (I wasn't raised Catholic and don't think to pray to the Saints for tangible "things" like this), I'm not sure how to teach my own kids how to thank the Saints. I suggested maybe a donation to some charitable cause in their honor, but it feels almost supersticious to me and I don't want to give my kids the wrong impression.
Any ideas?
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Rachel May
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| Posted: Jan 16 2009 at 7:38pm | IP Logged
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I always just say "Thank you, Saint Anthony!" although I know that others do more.
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Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Jan 16 2009 at 9:44pm | IP Logged
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Well, I've been to St. Anthony's basilica in Padua, and the Italian tradition is to leave a tiny silver charm in the shape of the found item/healed body part/etc. there at the shrine. There are hundreds. It's very moving.
Perhaps your children could draw small pictures of your pet and write thank you prayers on them, then put them up near your home altar/prayer corner/school table?
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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folklaur
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| Posted: Jan 16 2009 at 10:40pm | IP Logged
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Rachel May wrote:
| I always just say "Thank you, Saint Anthony!" |
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same with us.
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albeto
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| Posted: Jan 16 2009 at 11:40pm | IP Logged
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guitarnan wrote:
Well, I've been to St. Anthony's basilica in Padua, and the Italian tradition is to leave a tiny silver charm in the shape of the found item/healed body part/etc. there at the shrine. There are hundreds. It's very moving.
Perhaps your children could draw small pictures of your pet and write thank you prayers on them, then put them up near your home altar/prayer corner/school table? |
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I like this idea! Thank you! It makes it more tangible and somehow has a more "real" feel to it. I think my kids need more tangible reminders of their faith so this is perfect!
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Maddie
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We always say, "Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints." and then we offer a prayer, usually a Hail Mary, in honor of the saint we invoked.
An old Catholic saying is, "St. Anthony, St. Anthony, come around, something's lost (or name it) and must be found!"
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~Maddie~
Wife to my dh and Momma of 9 dear ones
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Devoted
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| Posted: Jan 21 2009 at 8:50pm | IP Logged
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Hey, Albeto, I consider St. Anthony of Padua to be a close personal friend of mine, I'll let him know you said thanks!
Seriously, he's a good friend to us. We whoop it up on his feast day and sometimes do little things in his name. I know what you mean by feeling superstitious, though. Also I don't want anything to seem like, "If you do this thing for me, I'll give you X." I do feel that the saints work hard to look out for us and that a thank you is in good order. That isn't superstitious. Also, we must always remember that our prayers aren't always (are hardly ever?) answered in just the way we want. Just b/c we pray for a thing doesn't mean that it would be be best for us if we got it.
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Thanking Saints
