my married friend is becoming a deacon this weekend - what is an appropriate gift

-- glen benjamin (glenbenjamin@hotmail.com), May 02, 2004

Answers

Bump!

-- bump (bump@bumping.com), May 02, 2004.

Have a holy Mass celebrated for the chap. He propably already has a lot as far as sacramentals, but every soul would benifit having a holy Mass celebrated for them. Or maybe you could send his name to the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration and have the holy Franciscan Cloistered Nuns pray for him in front of the Blessed Sacrament.[3900- 13th st.,N.E. Washington , DC 20017 (202 526-6808).

-- - (David@excite.com), May 02, 2004.

What about an alternative gift:

http://www.great-gifts.org/home.asp

-- Hugh (hugh@inspired.com), May 03, 2004.

Hugh, good thought. Does the Catholic Church have a similar organization that works with the poor, something like World Vision, that you could support rather than supporting a Protestant organization?

God bless,

-- Emily (jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), May 03, 2004.

Well, I found one: Catholic Relief Services. You can give a gift of education, drought relief, help poor AIDS victims, etc (many options - pick one that suits him) to those in developing countries. This gift could be in the name of your friend.

God bless!

-- Emily (jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), May 03, 2004.

How about a gift certificate to a bookstore or religious store. He probably would be able to find something there that he would both enjoy and could use.

Sharon

-- Sharon (delipasta@hotmail.com), May 04, 2004.

I think Sharon has posted a very good and practical idea. There are some books and items that a deacon needs and desires. But if you get him something specific such as a Pyx or the Book of Blessings, there is the danger of him already having it, or someone else presenting it to him as an ordination gift.

As another practical suggestion, you may find out if this deacon-to- be has a special devotion to something such as the Rosary, the Miraculous Medal, Brown Scapular, etc. If he does, then you could give him a set of them. Of course, he would probably already have such an item, but because he has a devotion to it then he is probably interested in spreading that devotion in his ministry. Hence, he may well appreciate having some extras on hand to give away. I knew a monk who often gave out Rosaries in his hospital ministry so I once gave him about a dozen Rosaries as a gift to help him in this ministry.

God bless, -Deacon Eric

-- Eric Filmer (erfilmer@hotmail.com), May 05, 2004.