Catholic Charities & Catholic Medals

Traditionally, a charitable trust is any kind of a private, non-profit, philanthropic, human health and welfare organization. They are mostly found in the fields of education, religion, health, wealth, government or any other areas that benefit communities. Nonprofit organizations work for the benefit of human welfare, and do not make a personal profit.

Catholic charities are charitable trusts run mainly by the Catholic church. These charities work to improve the living conditions of the poor people. Needy people are treated with equal love and care, irrespective of their religion, sex, age, race, color, or origin. These charities try to provide steady employment with good wages for people who need the jobs. They try to protect the people from racial discriminations and prejudices. Since these issues have an intergenerational impact, Catholic charities try to protect the families across the age groups.

Catholic charities usually depend on donations from affluent citizens. This money is used to provide a better life to the poor and the needy of the country. Catholic charities try and ensure that all people in the community are cared for. They do the best they can with the income that they get through donations. Catholic charities strive to unite and mobilize a growing number of Catholic institutions, individuals and persons of good faith. Their goal is to maximize the church's influence on issues of poverty, drug abuse, unemployment and women and child welfare. Most Catholic charities are affiliated with Catholic Charities USA, the largest private human service network in the United States.

Medals are metal emblems representing a particular feature. Archeologists substantiate that the medals were used during the ancient periods in history. Catholic medals are used to symbolize the faith and devotion to God. They are the medals which represent unique beliefs and practices of the Catholics. The medals have gained much popularity among both Catholics and non-Catholics. However, the medals do not advocate any superstitions. The Catholic teaching preaches that the medals have no inbuilt magical power but instead it only inspires the need of devotion.

Catholic medals are generally used to remind the divinity of God. The medals include several categories according to the purpose of their use. Some medals are just souvenirs, which include memorial of certain persons, important events, places, etc.

The various categories of the medals can be stated as follows: Jubilee medals, papal medals, special occasion medals, etc. are included in the commemorative medals. Certain medals are expressions of religious prayers for blessings and protection. This group includes Jesus Christ medals, Virgin Mary medals, Eucharistic medals, etc. Patron saint medals are another category of catholic medals which characterize saints, the mediators for communication with God. Some other medals feature biblical events. The angel medals and crucifixes are also included as Catholic medals.

These medals may be used as religious jewelry. These valuable possessions can be pendants on chains worn around the necks or pinned to the dress. Most of the believers give an important position to the medals in their home, vehicle or office since the medals are a sign of God. They are considered as suitable gift choices which bring good luck and for adding to a collection. The value of a Catholic medal increases with age. Vintage medals are very costly.

Catholic Pilgrimages

A pilgrimage is any religiously motivated trip to some site which is regarded as sacred or otherwise religiously significant. Common sites for pilgrimages are those associated with saints, their relics, or other important religious figures. The term "pilgrimage" comes from the Latin peregrinus, which means "foreigner."

Catholic Pilgrimages were first made to sites connected with the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Surviving descriptions of Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land date from the 4th century, when pilgrimage was encouraged by church fathers like Saint Jerome. Pilgrimages also began to be made to Rome and other sites associated with the Apostles, Saints and Christian martyrs, as well as to places where there have been apparitions of the Virgin Mary.

The second largest single pilgrimage in the history of Christendom was to the Funeral of Pope John Paul II after his death on April 2, 2005. An estimated four million people traveled to Vatican City, in addition to the almost three million people already living in Rome, to see the body of Pope John Paul II lie in state.

World Youth Day is a major Catholic Pilgrimage, specifically for people aged 16-35. It is held internationally every 2-3 years. In 2005, young Catholics visited Cologne, Germany. In 1995, the largest gathering of all time was to World Youth Day in Manila, Philippines, where four million people from all over the world attended.

The major Catholic pilgrimages are to:

• The Holy Land, location of many events in the Old Testament and New Testament:
• Jerusalem, site of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus.
• Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus and King David.
• Nazareth, hometown of Jesus.
  
• Rome on roads such as the Via Francigena. Site of the deaths of Saint Peter, Saint Paul and other early martyrs.


• Lourdes, France. Apparition of the Virgin Mary. The second most visited Christian pilgrimage site after Rome.


• Istanbul, Turkey, Former capital of the Byzantine Empire and the see of one of the five ancient Patriarchates.

Pilgrimages

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Catholic Life

Catholic life

The word "catholic" without its religious context, means universal, concerning all humanity, free from prejudice, liberal. According to this definition, I am definitely catholic.

It is proven that Catholics are true follower of Jesus. They follow all teaching lesion of Jesus They seek forgiveness of their sins and follow the example and teaching of Jesus. They believe that Jesus has provided seven sacraments which give Grace from God to the believer.

If a person dies in unrepeated mortal sin, It means he loses god’s promise and deserve to Hell. But if follower regrets his seen and bad action and scarify for that before a death then he find purification and get Heaven.

Catholic believe that god always take care for entire world. Catholics always take part in church through prayers and doing spiritual disciplines such as fasting and pilgrimage.

Catholic differentiates prayers in four different way.
1) Adoration,
2) Thanksgiving,
3) Contrition,
4) Supplication
Catholic believes that Prayer for everyone, even for enemies and persecutors is a Christian duty. Mother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary is also considered to be the spiritual mother of all Catholics.

Olive Wood Crosses of Jerusalem

Olive Wood Crosses of Jerusalem

The olive tree is traditionally a symbol of health and peace. The Olive Wood of Jerusalem is the symbol of Eternal Life and it is well known since ancient time. According to religion believe Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, near Jerusalem near an olive tree, some says that this tree still exists today.

The Olive Tree grows in the Holy Land and can survive for up to 2000 years.
In the Bible, Noah sent out a dove from the ark to find dry land and the dove returned with an Olive branch.

It is said that the Dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Olive tree has been highly admired since old times and it is considered as a blessed tree. The people planted olive trees in various parts of the Holy Land to spread its cultivation. The oil from the olives was used to anoint priests, prophets and kings to empower them as well as to pray for their healing. While known for its sturdiness, it is a beautiful wood with grains of colors from pink to black; The older the wood the darker the colors.

Jerusalem cross and what it represents

The Jerusalem cross was the emblem of Templar Crusaders, and may have been the personal arms of Templar Godfrey de Bouillon.

The Jerusalem cross has four arms at equal distances, symbolizing the four directions, and the belief that Jerusalem was the spiritual center of the earth.

The more complex version of the symbol represented the spread of Christ's message through the four evangelists (Mathew, mark, Luke, and John), who are represented by the four additional "crosslets."