Okay, so all that talk of dieting has made me hungry—hungry for good food (the kind that I can and should have) and hungry for the grace I need to be strong in spirit.
The two go hand-in-hand, do they not?
First, I was asked by a spokeswoman from No Name Premium Meat and Seafood to try their products in exchange for a review and giveaway.
Lucky for us, their food is delicious!
I have no problem at all endorsing this product and think that you will love it. Come back tomorrow for a chance to win a prize totaling $40.00.
Second, I wanted to share with you a little book that has—and is—making a big, big difference in my life. One of my resolutions this year is to be more prayerful, and with that end in mind, I gave away several spiritual bouquets at Christmas.
A spiritual bouquet is like flowers, only better. It doesn’t wilt and doesn’t go all gunky in your vase! You choose the prayers you wish to say—it could be a three Hail Marys and three Our Fathers, it could be an entire Rosary—and you offer them up for the person on your list.
My parents, for example, do not really need anything at this point in their life. So in addition to a photo book, (the standard gift), I gave them a card with a spiritual bouquet enclosed:
- 3 Masses,
- 3 Rosaries, and
- One novena of Holy Communions.
(You can have Masses said for people, living and dead, by calling your parish and choosing a date. Usually you offer a small stipend for the priest.)
I have been using the book A Novena of Holy Communions
for many years and would like to give away five copies today. It’s a beautiful little book that packs a powerful punch! Just leave a comment saying…oh, I don’t know…how about whether or not you have ever heard of spiritual bouquets before? If you have, do you like to make them?
Comments will be closed tonight at midnight and I’ll announce the winners alongside tomorrow’s review & giveaway.
Good luck! May the giveaway odds be ever in your favor! ; )
I have received several spiritual bouquets as gifts for Birthdays, Christmas, Babies, etc.
Also that other book looks amazing too. I love cookbooks (a secret obsession, I am afraid)
I've heard of spiritual bouquets before, but didn't really know completely what they were. What a great idea! That book sounds great. We have several of Fr. Lovasik's books that our children love.
We do spiritual bouquets quite often. The biggest one I have ever done/participated in was the one I had on my blog for Kate Wicker during her recent difficult pregnancy. It was so amazing to see people come together for it! My daughter's Godfather said two masses for us (he is a priest) for a spiritual bouquet for when I was undergoing surgery. I credit this for my quick recovery!
I have used spiritual bouquets. Illuminated Ink has beautiful cards intended just for that purpose and my kids had a great time creating them a couple years ago. In Familia and in the current women's group I'm participating in, we've used spiritual bouquets for our bishops and priests. On a personal level, I've sent them to friends who've just needed them.
I have heard of and received several spiritual bouquets – most recently for a safe delivery of my 4th child – and it was by far my best labor, delivery and recovery – all thanks to the many spiritual bouquets I've received!
Thanks for this great reminder to offer OTHERS our prayers and sufferings in the form of spiritual bouquets! It's so easy to be on the receiving end, and sometimes forget to be on the giving end! 🙂 Happy 12th Day of Christmas!
I had a friend give me a spiritual bouquet for Christmas this year. I've prayed one or two before and I love them!
Hi Margaret! This sounds fun! 😛 Yes, I LOVE sp. boquets-giving AND receiving them! 🙂 Please enter me in to win. As for the steaks-the name is a bit lousey BUT if they taste good…super!
GOd bless
Mary @ Cheerios
I've heard of spiritual bouquets, but didn't really know what it meant until now. What a lovely idea.
My parents have no need for material gifts either. I love the idea of spiritual bouquet.
Thanks for the great idea!
I have heard of spiritual bouquets before. When my husband and I got married, one of our friends gave us a card that said she had offered up 365 Holy Communions for us and our marriage. That was the best wedding present by far!
I've heard the term spiritual bouquet before but never knew what it was until today.. thank you! I think that's a wonderful thing to do and now that I know what it is I will plan on doing it for others this year. 🙂 The book sounds great too!!
We are in the process of converting to the Catholic church, and I have not heard of spiritual bouquets before. It sounds so thoughtful and beautiful! I love to absorb all I can about the faith and actively living it out. One of my goals this year is to be much better in my prayer life as well. I love reading about things like this!
Hi Margaret! My family and I are recent converts (I'm actually a revert, but that's a longer story!) So I've never heard of a Spiritual Bouquet! I love discovering all these wonderful gifts of the Catholic Church, most of which I've never been exposed to. Keep up the good work. We love reading your blog and finding out all of these wonderful little traditions you do. Finding your blog and our Parish (which we drive 45 mins to St. Louis Park to attend) has been a blessing to our family and homeschool as we "come home" to the Catholic faith!
I've heard of spiritual bouquets but didn't really know what they were. I know a lot of people who could do with one though.
Lesley
We love to give spiritual bouquets! This looks like a great book!
I'm also having a giveaway at my blog for a unit study on St. Ignatius if you, Margaret, or anyone else wants to join in there, too! The more the merrier.
God Bless.
http://www.hsjoy.blogspot.com
Yes, I have heard of spiritual boquets. Sadly I never think to do them. Like you one of my many resolutions is to improve my prayer life. I am looking for a Catholic woman's daily devotional or something like that. This little book your giving away looks lovely. I love fr. Lovasik's books. I have never seen this one.
Have a great day!
Kirsten
I had heard of giving someone a mass but never a spiritual bouquet. It is a great idea. Thanks for the information and the chance in your giveaway!
~Jan
Hi Margaret. I have the same New Year's resolutions.
We often make spiritual bouquets, usually for Christmas or birthday presents.
Most of the time, we write them down in nice cards. Sometimes, however, we tie the prayer offerings to an actual bouquet of flowers.
I have heard of spiritual bouquets – never given one and never received one though.
I think if I were to ever put that in a Christmas card as a gift, my family would laugh in my face and lecture me on proper gift giving.
And sadly, they are very devout Catholics!
Yes, I love spiritual bouquets. When I use to teach in a small Catholic school I had my students make them for Mother's Day gifts. The Mom's loved them. I have had my own kids make them for their Godparent's on Mother and Father's day too.
An
Our homeschooling group has given spritual bouquets to families who have lost a loved one, as well as to our chaplin. I have received them from a friend who is a vowed religious. They are wonderful to both give and receive!
Jodi R.
We have heard of Spiritual Bouquets and enjoy making cards to give away to those we pray for. Thank you so much.
I have heard of spiritual bouquets before. One year our homeschool group made cards for all of the priests of our respective parishes. I never think to do them otherwise. Thanks for gently reminding me.
Awesome! Yes, I have heard of spiritual bouquets before but have never personally given one – I've given part of some before but never one completely myself. Thanks for the great idea!
I have heard of spiritual bouquets and remember seeing one that my mom had written in a letter to her mother many, many years ago. I would love to receive a copy of the book and learn more about that practice. Also, the food sounds wonderful!
Mary V.
Yes, i have taken up a "collection" of prayers for a spiritual bouquet, and I have been on the receiving end as well!
I've heard of spiritual bouquets but never done one myself. I guess I should start!
The book looks great! I really need something to punch my spiritual life back to where it should be – maybe this would help.
Hi Margaret:
Yes, i have heard of spiritual bouquets. The members of my Catholic Moms group will get together and do them for people in our parish that have lost a loved one, had a baby…. Thanks, Kelly in Texas
That book sounds wonderful. I always give my godchildren Masses and pray for them by name every day. I love spiritual bouquets, nothing better than that for a gift!!!
I've heard of spiritual bouquets given by a group of people for a certain person. Never from one person only. I like that idea. I've never heard of a novena of Holy Communions either. I'm intrigued.
We have both been on the receiving end and the giving end of spiritual bouquets.
I have been part of spiritual bouquets on occasion, mostly as part of a group of people praying together for a special priest in our lives. Stephanie
I have heard of spiritual bouquets before. My friends at Plurk did one for me when I was getting ready to give birth to Joseph. It was one of my most cherished gifts. Would love to win one of your books Margaret.
I have never done a spiritual bouquet before and would love to do so.
I have not heard of a spiritual bouquet until now. WOW!
Great gift and thanks for the chance!! 🙂
I had heard of spiritual bouquet's before but have never done one. Thank you for the incentive. Oh, and that book looks interesting. Thanks for the generous giveaway.
Love Spiritual bouquets! In the early 60's, my Catholic school teachers (nuns) always had us do Spiritual bouquets for the Pastor….usually an Irish monsignor!!!
We were straight out of a Bing Crosby movie!
We gave a spiritual boquet to our priest, but we certainly don't do it often enough!
Love, love, love spiritual bouquets! And I love having masses offered for any occasion. There are some really great nuns (Missionary Sisters of St.Peter Claver, just one example) who are always willing to offer masses for our intentions. Just one example why I love being Catholic! The book sounds fabulous, thanks Margaret!
I've heard of spiritual bouquets before, and have given them, too.
Also, the book looks intriguing. I'm always on the lookout for new cookbooks.
Gail
I knew what they were but have never received one personally. Book looks amazing!
Hunger Games reference! WOOT!
LOve spiritual bouquets. My mom actually gave all us kids a 9 day Mass novena as part of our Christmas gift, said by the Dominican friars at our parish. I got the same thing from a friend of mine, AND my grandmother–I was seriously prayed for! 🙂
I've never heard of a spiritual bouquet before, but it sounds nice. Great idea for those folks that don't have many material needs, but appreciate being thought of and prayed for. I would love to be the recipient of one of these bouquets!
We just recently gave a spiritual bouquet to our former pastor before he left for sabbatical in August. It was a really beautiful gift, with many prayers, fasts, acts of charity and masses being offered up for him by many members of our parish.
I've heard of them, but have never participated on one (yet)…
Thanks!
I have heard of, done and received spiritual bouquets. They are wonderful. The book sounds good and something I could use right now!
God bless!
Wow… squeaking in just in time!
Yes, I have heard of, and made, spiritual bouquets in the past.
I have not seen this little book. It looks interesting!
Blessings~