And all the people said 'Amen': Spring gift guide

And all the people said
‘Amen’: Spring gift guide
It’s time to begin thinking about what you will put in your
children’s and grandchildren’s Easter baskets and what gifts
you will give for first Communions, confirmations and other
sacraments. Let’s not forget that Mother’s Day, Father’s Day
and wedding season are also around the corner. Check out Our
Sunday Visitor’s 2022 spring gift guide for a lineup of
inspiring and delicious gifts that won’t disappoint.

Easter
                   Virgin Mary children’s tableware set
                   Designed by Erica Tighe Campbell, the Our
                   Lady of Perpetual Flourishing Virgin Mary
                   Children’s Tableware Set features Mary with
                   a floral spring theme. The plate, bowl,
                   cup, spoon and fork are made of bamboo
                   fiber and BPA-free melamine.
                   Price: $30
                   Coupon: “OSV2022” for 20% off
Website: beaheart.com

                      Mississippi Abbey Irish mints
                      A minty, melt-in-your-mouth treat made
                       by the contemplative nuns of Mississippi
                       Abbey in Iowa, these Irish mints will
                       make a delicious Easter treat for all
                       the members of your family. The mints
come in a gift box containing 36 pieces (10 ounces) of candy.
Price: $12.90
Website: monasterycandy.com

Kids’ Vegetable Garden Seed Collection
                     Give a gift that keeps giving. The Kids’
                     Vegetable Garden Seed Collection from St.
                     Clare Heirloom Seeds comprises nine
                     heirloom vegetable seeds: bean, beet,
                     corn, lettuce, pumpkin, radish, pea and
                     watermelon seeds to make a flourishing
garden.
Price: $19.68
Website: stclareseeds.com

                 “The Wordless Weaver”
                 “The Wordless Weaver” by Claudia Cangilla
                 McAdam offers a lovely story that introduces
                 the Shroud of Turin to children ages 4 to 8
                 through a fictional story about a mute girl
                 named Shira who weaves Christ’s burial cloth.
                 Through the vibrant colors and patterns
                 depicted by artist Caroline Baker Mazure and
                 the excellent storytelling of the author, we
see the weaver’s struggle, feel her love for Christ and
rejoice in her healing.
Price: $16.95
Website: osvcatholicbookstore.com

Baptism gifts

Baby box of St. Gianna
Are you looking for a baptism gift that’s not
run-of-the-mill? The Saint of the Month’s baby
box of St. Gianna offers a collection of fun
baby gifts, including a “Born to be a Saint”
red onesies for girls or blue for boys, a
matching pair of shoes, “baby” wall sign,
large crib medal, baby Jesus plush doll,
basket, washcloth, St. Gianna brochure, and a
St. Gianna relic card.
Price: $40
Coupon: “OSV10” for 10% off all baby boxes and subscriptions
Website: saintofthemonth.com

Mary’s fiat velveteen plush blanket
Not your everyday baby blanket, this handmade,
plush velveteen Mary’s Fiat blanket features
the Catholic symbols for Mary and Jesus in
pastel pinks, blues, greens and yellows on a
white background. The blanket comes in three
sizes.
Price: $29.99 (30-by-34 inches)
Website: etsy.com

First Communion
                “I’m a Saint in the Making”
                “You don’t have to be a grown-up to be a
                saint,” writes author Lisa Hendey in her book
                “I’m a Saint in the Making.” Hendy’s book,
                using the inspiration of ancient and modern
                saints, offers an inspiring and practical way
                for children ages 6 to 10 to aspire to
                sainthood. Weaved throughout “I’m a Saint in
                the Making” are interesting tidbits about

famous saints and holy people on their journey to sainthood,
as well as suggestions for living a virtuous life.
Price: $14.99 (softcover)
Website: paracletepress.com

                “St. Bernadette Of Lourdes: The Girl Who Saw
                Mary” graphic novel
                “St. Bernadette Of Lourdes: The Girl Who Saw
                Mary” by Ahn Jin-a offers a fresh and
                appealing re-telling of the life of St.
                Bernadette of Lourdes and how Our Lady
                appeared to her. Illustrated in Shoujo-Manga
                style, the graphic novel provides little
                snapshots of the pivotal events in the saint’s
life: from the time she and her parents lived in an abandoned
prison, to her visitation from the Blessed Mother, to her
entering the convent and more. The graphic novel will
especially appeal to children 9 to 11, but teens and adults
will also enjoy reading this charming book.
Price: $14.95 (softcover)
Website: paulinestore.com

                “Carlo Acutis: God’s Computer Genius”
                “Carlo Acutis: God’s Computer Genius” by
                Labrecque Ellen provides a glimpse into the
                life of teen saint Carlo Acutis. Carlo looked
                like every other boy on the outside, and he
                blended well with his peers. However, his
                family and teacher, Sister Miranda, noticed
                something special about him. As a young boy,
                Carlos loved visiting churches and going to
Mass even though his parents were Catholic in name only. It
was his Polish nanny, Beata, who told him about God. As he
grew older, Carlo showed his holiness in deeds, including
helping his peers become holy and creating a website about
Eucharistic miracles. “Carlo Acutis: God’s Computer Genius”
offers a wealth of information about St. Carlo that’s engaging

and easy to read for ages 8 to 11.
Price: $21.95 (hardcover)
Website: paulinestore.com

Holy Matrimony
“The Catholic Wedding Planner”
Give a Catholic bride-to-be “The Catholic
Wedding Planner” to help her plan her wedding
and prepare her heart for the Sacrament of Holy
Matrimony. In addition to providing wedding
checklists and worksheets, the book covers
learning about the Sacrament of Matrimony;
managing your wedding budget; planning the
liturgy, music and reception; building your wedding party and
guest list; preparing to start a new life with your spouse;
and much more.
Price: $29.95 (softcover)
Website: osvcatholicbookstore.com

“Our Lady Undoer of Knots” Bible
Every couple should own a beautiful
Bible that their family will hand down
to generations to come. Our Lady Undoer
of Knots graces the cover of this NAB-RE
Bible, serving as a reminder to couples
to turn to Our Lady when their lives get
knotted. The “Our Lady Undoer of Knots”
Bible includes a family register page,
full-color maps, a calendar for the Sunday and daily Mass
readings, and Catholic prayers along with the New and Old
Testament.
Price: $79.95 (soft, imitation leather cover)
Coupon: “OSVGIFT” for one-time 15% off (until June 15, 2022)
Website: catholiccompany.com

Confirmation, ordination and RCIA gifts
                     Hand-carved crucifix
                     This stunning hand-carved, solid wood
                     crucifix makes a lasting gift for a
                     confirmandi, a newly ordained priest, or
                     for someone entering the Church. Carved in
                     Ukraine, the ornate cross offers a
                     realistic portrayal of Christ with a
detailed carving of the St. Benedict medal behind his head.
Price: $55 and up (shipping takes 10-25 business days from
Ukraine to the U.S.)
Website: etsy.com

                     Catholic religious beeswax candles
                     A trio of pure yellow beeswax pillar
                     candles with religious motifs including
                     the Blessed Virgin Mary, Christ on the
                     Cross, and the Holy Family make a special
                     gift to mark an important day in the life
                    of a young or new Catholic. Each handmade
candle is approximately 4-by-2 inches and offers a sootless
burn compared to commercial candles.
Price: $25.75
Coupon: “OSVAD” for one free gift per customer.
Website: etsy.com

“Chiara Lubich: Love Conquers All” DVD
                An engaging Italian film about Chiara Lubich
                (1920-2008), “Chiara Lubich: Love Conquers All”
                tells the story of Lubich, the founder of the
                Focolare Movement. The young teacher’s life in
                Trent, Italy, suddenly changes when Allied
                forces drop bombs on her city. Amid the
                violence of the Second World War, Chiara hears
                God’s call to become a lay consecrated woman —
something unheard of at that time. Through the study of
Scripture, Chiara realizes that she must become the hands and
feet for Christ to help the poor and rebuild people’s faith in
humanity. However, she doesn’t achieve her calling without
resistance and suffering.
Price: $19.95 (in Italian with English subtitles, or an
English dubbed track)
Website: ignatius.com

                  “The World of Marian Apparitions”
                  Organized by year and location, “The World
                  of Marian Apparitions” by Wincenty
                  Laszewski chronicles Marian apparitions and
                  private visions from 1884-2014. Beautifully
                  illustrated with art and photographs, the
                  coffee table book begins with a map of the
                  apparition locations and a graph depicting
                   when the most apparitions occurred. In
addition to the most well-known apparitions are numerous
lesser-known apparition stories of Mary’s visit to saints and
mystics, including Adrienne von Speyr. A Catholic convert, Dr.
von Speyr had her first vision of the Blessed Virgin while
still a Protestant; she was 15-year-old when Our Lady appeared
to her. According to “The World of Marian Apparitions,” von
Speyr said, “I had never seen such beauty.”
Price: $39.95 (hardcover)
Coupon: “Marian25” for 25% off (for this title only)
Website: sophiainstitute.com

Coraggio passport wallet
                        Designed by Coraggio, this genuine
                        leather passport wallet features
                        famous inspirational quotes by saints.
                        Choose from Pope St. John Paul II,
                        “Life with Christ is a wonderful
                        adventure”; Blessed Pier Giorgio
                        Frassati, “We must never just exist
but live”; or St. Ignatius of Loyola, “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
— For the Greater Glory of God.” The wallet has a passport
pocket and two credit card pockets and measures 7.25-inches
wide when opened by 5.5-inches tall. Choose from chocolate
brown or stone.
Price: $58
Website: catholictothemax.com

Mother’s Day
Seven Sorrows chaplet
An OSV exclusive, the Seven Sorrows chaplet
offers a beautiful way to meditate on the
Blessed Mother’s suffering — a devotion that
dates to the 14th century. Hand-crafted by
Grant and Celeste Louvier, founders of Born
Again Rosaries, the chaplet features Italian-
made silver oxidized medals and blue and
purple dyed tiger’s eye beads. The chaplet
comes with a blue velvet pouch and instructions.
Price: $49.95
Website: osvcatholicbookstore.com

“Monuments, Marvels, and Miracles: A Traveler’s
Guide to Catholic America”
For moms and grandmas who have the traveling bug,
“Monuments, Marvels, and Miracles” by Marion
Amberg offers a guide to each state’s Catholic
churches and shrines and artifacts. Perfect for
planning pilgrimages, the guide includes
interesting details, addresses, websites for the
locations and some photos.
Price: $27.95
Website: osvcatholicbookstore.com

“Hail Mary Full of Grace” garden flag
Give mom or grandma a Marian Garden Flag to
look over her garden. The waterproof,
double-sided flag from Gratia Design Co.
features a 12.5-by-18-inch image of Mother
and Child with the words, “Hail Mary full of
grace.”
Price: $19
Website: gratiadesignco.com

Faith and Fabric designs
Faith and Fabric offer custom fabric with
religious designs for quilting moms and
grandmas. Choose from patterns featuring the
Sacred Heart, the Blessed Mother and many
other saints, including St. Martin de Torres and St. Joan of
Arc.
Price: $13-$23
Coupon: “FIAT” for 10% off
Website: faithandfabricdesign.com

Father’s Day
                          Catholic coffee gift set
                          For the coffee-loving dad in your
                          life, give him this premium gift set
                          of coffee featuring four roasts: St.
                          Thérèse of Lisieux Light Roast, St.
                          Joan of Arc French Roast, St. Michael
                          Dark Roast and Padre Pio Espresso
                          Roast. Each coffee features artwork
of the saint on the package and arrives in a gift box.
Price: $62.95 (4 12-ounce bags of either whole bean or ground)
Coupon: “OSVGIFT” for one-time 15% off (until June 15, 2022)
Website: catholiccoffee.com

                    St. Joseph rosary
                    Handmade by The Catholic Woodworker, this
                    black and green-beaded rosary is strung
                    with brown camo paracord and features a
                    striking bronze three-way Pardon Crucifix,
                    which includes the Miraculous and St.
                    Benedict medals. Dad will feel proud to
                    carry this masculine rosary.
Price: $55
Website: etsy.com

                         Peanut Brother
                         Does your dad or grandpa love peanut
                         butter? Give them handmade Peanut
                         Brother made by monks from Saint
                         Meinrad Archabbey. Their Peanut
                         Brother is made with simple and pure
                         ingredients, and they come in three
                         flavors: Peanut Brother Original
Grind, Peanut Brother Simply Smooth or Peanut Brother Heavenly
Honey.
Price: $8.99-$9.99 (16 ounces)

Coupon: “SPRINGB3G1” (Buy three Jars of Peanut Brother, get
one free through March 2022.)
Website: smagiftshop.com

Lori Hadacek Chaplin writes from Idaho.

              Be the answer to a child’s prayer

                  An estimated 820 million people do not have
  enough to eat, and this problem has only grown worse since
 the pandemic. Through Cross Catholic Outreach, you can give
 the gift of Vitafood to families in need. The Vitafood rice
 or lentil-based meal packets are scientifically designed to
    restore health to malnourished families and children.
                Price: $50 provides 333 meals
                  Website: crosscatholic.org