Divine Inspiration

Inspired by my petite collection of Holy Water Fonts.....

....I took some of these....

"escutcheons"

...and some of these....

"tart tins"

...and made these...

....my own version of Holy Water Fonts.

"Holy water is water that, in Catholicism, Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Oriental Orthodoxy, and some other churches, has been sanctified by a priest for the purpose of baptism; the blessing of persons, places, and objects; or as a means of repelling evil.[1][2]"

"Holy water is kept in the font, the church furnishing used for baptisms, which is typically located at the entrance to the church (or sometimes in a separate room or building called a baptistery); its location at the entrance serves as a reminder of the centrality of baptism as the primary rite of initiation into the Christian faith." 

"Smaller vessels, called stoups, are usually placed at the entrances of the church."

"Most Roman Catholic churches have stoups, or Holy water fonts to provide holy water in open fonts into which people dip their hands, and often make the sign of the cross."

"This use of holy water and making a sign of the cross when entering a church reflects a renewal of baptism, a cleansing of venial sin, as well as providing protection against evil.[13]" 

"It is sometimes accompanied by the following prayer:[14]

'By this Holy water and by your Precious Blood, wash away all my sins O Lord."

"In the Middle Ages the power of holy water was considered so great fonts had locked covers to prevent the theft of holy water for unauthorized magic practices: the Constitutions of Archbishop Edmund Rich (1236) prescribe that "Fonts are to be kept under lock and key, because of witchcraft (sortilegia). 

"Saint Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church who reported visions of Jesus and Mary, was a strong believer in the power of holy water and wrote that she used it with success to repel evil and temptations.[19]"

She wrote:[20]

"I know by frequent experience that there is nothing which puts the devils to flight like Holy water."

 "In addition to being a strong force in repelling evil, holy water has the twofold benefit of providing grace for both body and soul.[21]"

Keeping those words in mind.....I've adorned mine with heavenly images from French Prayer Cards.

Each keyhole opening reveals a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a cross and the crown of thorns.

~*~SOLD~*~

Some are adorned with petite vintage rhinestone crosses....

~*~SOLD~*~

~*~SOLD~*~

Others with filigree...

~*~SOLD~*~

..."findings"....

.... and mother of pearl crosses.

I chose to leave some of the escutcheons as I found them...

...worn and well-loved.

~*~SOLD~*~

Some show evidence of years of use....

...rusty....

...shabby....

...chippy...

...but all of them.... 

...inspire a reverence to their "blessed purpose." 

Images from old tombstones....

...and the Sacred Heart...

....inspire prayers.... 

...sent heavenward....

...with great faith.

May they also provide YOU with....

..."grace for your body and soul."

(on the back of each one)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My heavenly muse continued her divine inspiration when I stumbled upon THESE in my "stash"....

.....ornaments found at Pottery Barn at the end of last Xmas season.

I, again, used more of these....

...to create THESE.....

"Petite Ex Voto Fonts"

Adorned with crosses...

~*~SOLD~*~

...beads....

...and crowns.

~*~Sold~*~

Soon for sale in my ETSY shop. 

Available "On Reserve" upon request. 

(Prices will range from 18.00- 28.00)

These would also be lovely tea light candle sconces or a place to hold your rings and petits tresors.

~*~Merci~*~