Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

French Antique and Other Religious Objects

Holy

 

 

Today's theme is Faith, holiness, that which gives hope and encourages one to be a better person.

 

Finding photos of religious objects and symbols was easy to find in my photo archives.

Thank you Lorelei for the suggestion.

The above photo was taken on a street corner in Cinque Terre, Italy.

 

 

 

Cemetery iron cross

 

 

Growing up I lived next door to a cemetery. What did you grow up next to?

Have you ever played hide and seek in a cemetery?

 

Photo: The Cemetery in Carcassonne, France

 

 

 

French toile angel

 

Do you believe in angels? 

Photo: A piece of 1800s Toile from France.

 

 

 

Jesus with lamb

 

 

 

 An ex voto of the Christ Child with a lamb and a cross.

 

 

 

Mary with child and angles

 

 

Who is your favorite Saint?

Or Who inspires you?

 

 

Holy family

 

 

A tiny statuette of the Holy Family.

 

 

Church fragment

 

 

My parents were faithful Catholics. They said the rosary often. We went to mass every Sunday, arriving to the church before the Priest. Heaven forbid that we might be late. We sat in the front row, because my mother wanted us to focus on the Mass and not look around at our friends, or see what others were wearing. She would sing, "Corey sit still, Mathew quit bugging Marty, Mark you are an angel, Mat if you do not stop it right now, wait until we get home you will be in trouble!" All to the tune of whatever song we were singing.

 

 

 

Raphael's angel

 

 

Did you ever wear a religious medal?

 

I wore the Star of David in high school. One triangle symbolized God, the other Mankind together as one.

 

 

 

St Joseph and Jesus

 

 

I grew up with faith, prayer, and saying "Oh my God" often. I never thought it was bad to say that.

 

 

 

Putting gold on the back of the budda

 

 

Thailand.

Holiness is in the air.

 

 

Statue mary

 

Prayer book with cross

 

A velvet prayer book with a lovely latch.

Do you live the words of faith, hope and love?

 

 

Mother and child medal

 

Love as a mother,

as a child,

as a friend,

as a stranger…

 

 

 

Cemetery angel
Prayer budda chinag mai

 

 

Loving is faith expressed.

What do you believe?

 

 

Angel above doorway

 

 

One thing I believe in is that "God" lives in everyone and thing. As loving energy.

 

 

 

Religious wall hanging

 

 

We are human vessels were love can reside.

 

 

Temple statues budda chiang mai

 

Symbols of faith.

Chiang Mai, Thailand.

 

Ex voto silver child

 

Silver ex voto.

 

 

Silver Notre dame cup

 

Silver cup from Lourdes.

Have you ever been there?

 

 

Stained windows

 

Some of the most beautiful Chandeliers are in European churches.

 

 

 

Blue-marys-corey-amaro

 

I have a thing for religious antiques, and,

 

 

Caresse

 

 

Religious engravings.

 

 

 

Hands prayer chiang mai

 

Where does your faith lead you?

 

Note:

Lorelei I need your address to send you a little gift.

 

Tomorrow I will pick another theme from those listed in the comment section. Thanks!!

 

Comments

32 responses to “French Antique and Other Religious Objects”

  1. kelly

    Saint Theresa, because she was my mothers and she always told me to pray to her, Angels are all around us …Saint Michael guided me many times….I have my mothers Mary statue in my room and I treasure it. I have my grandmothers rosary’s love the old ones….faith is what connected you to your being and makes you feel safe with connections from your past. and I too lived by a cemetery , one summer I count all the grave sites, me and neighbor girl were bored.
    Have a great weekend and love this post.
    Kelly

    Reply
  2. christine

    Beautiful post. Thank you.

    Reply
  3. Zosia

    Lovely pieces of art. Have a wonderful weekend.

    Reply
  4. Bev

    Oh I was hoping that someone would choose something along the faith lines. I just didn’t have time to suggest that.
    What do I believe? The old children’s song: “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong, they are weak but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me….”
    The other thing that I tell the people of my congregation to say following the Assurance of Forgiveness to each other is, “God loves you and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
    Lovely post. Thank you.

    Reply
  5. Julie Loeschke

    Saint Joan of Arc is my patron and I wear her medal always.She gives me the courage I need every day(I am a chronic worrier).I pray the rosary everyday and believe that it helps me to keep my focus on Christ.Love cemeteries,too,but never lived by one.Darn.:D

    Reply
  6. RebeccaNYC

    As a Baptist Ministers daughter, I grew up in a parsonage built during the revolutionary war (…very old and spooky) surrounded on two sides by a cemetery. The other two sides were very busy streets. In order to get to or from my house, a kid on a bike HAD to ride through the cemetery. Not many kids wanted to come to my house! I played in the cemetery everyday amongst old, old graves.
    Of course as Baptists, we were taught that anything “papist” was a sin…but I love St Cecilia, as I am a singer. And I’m not a Baptist anymore. I’m not sure what I am anymore.

    Reply
  7. marlis

    I love religious relics.. they each tell a story. How many times was the rosary used for petition? by whom? on who’s behalf? I think St. Christopher is my personal patron saint.. he carries me in my travels both physical and spiritual, just as he carried Jesus across the swollen river. I stayed in a hotel once that was beside a cemetery. I cannot remember where that was… somewhere in the midwest.. I grew up in a large home in Orleans, with lots of green grass, a big pond and a grotto that I swore was filled with the devil himself! Lourdes is an amazing experience.. xo thanks for the memories Corey.. hope you are feeling a wee bit better!

    Reply
  8. Sam

    I am inspired by so many people, every day. My favorite saint was St. Francis.

    Reply
  9. Robin

    I grew up much the way you did: Portuguese Catholics, Mass on Sundays, rosaries and lace covering our heads. I also grew up in a Necropolis with cemeteries all around. Walking through the cemetery or watching the ocean are equally soul regenerating for me. My mother gave each of us a mustard seed the first time we competed in something (sports, try outs for the marching band, etc.) She would say “if you have as of a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible unto you” and kiss us “good luck”. She was right…

    Reply
  10. Chris Wittmann

    Beautiful photos! Sis and I grew up near a cemetary too and often played hide and seek behind the tombstones. We peeked in the windows of the mortuary and left heads, arms and legs of old dolls in the bushes that made an alley way between the mortuary and tombstones, along with scarey notes in hopes of spooking other kids that found them. What wierd kids we were! To this day, old cemetaries are one of my favorite places to photograph!

    Reply
  11. kim

    I have soured on religion. But I do think that there is an inherent goodness…love… consciousness (God, Buddha…) that resides with each of us. I think we all have badness inside as well. I strive to keep my behavior right and to practice compassion. I fail quite often. 🙁

    Reply
  12. Amy Kortuem

    Our religious / spiritual “thinking” is certainly along the same lines, Corey. I still do pray to saints though I’m not really a practicing Catholic anymore.
    I’m particularly drawn to St. Hildegard of Bingen – a 12th century mystic, composer, wise woman. Her music is exquisite, Heavenly, a dream to sing.
    I also wear a St. Cecilia medal – she’s often portrayed holding a harp.

    Reply
  13. Patti

    I believe that there is no other way to God but through His only Son, Jesus Christ. As a student of the Bible, I have seen this faith in action over and over again in my life and in the lives of others. The God who created the universes is the one and only God. Those who ask, those who honestly seek, find Him. That’s what I have done and am doing. My faith increases daily! And I am blessed with great joy in every circumstance because I know Him. I’m glad you asked!

    Reply
  14. Debi Burton

    Spell-binding post, Corey! I grew up in small-town Walla Walla, Washington. Our parents took us to the Church of Christ, which believed icons were inappropriate for worship. But I’ve always been drawn to religious relics of all kinds (and those days of a limited view of “one way” or the highway spiritual practices are well behind me). The U.S. was developed by peoples seeking religious freedom. Odd to me that today so many citizens are myopic in their views of what *should* be right for all. But I digress. I loved running around a local cemetery as a child, fascinated by the stunning monuments, all the beautiful flowers, and the sense that it was a place of peace, respite and memory. My mother may have been horrified the day I brought her “flowers” from the cemetery (I was too small to understand the concept of *stealing*), but she acted thrilled to receive them. (We did, of course, discuss that I should not take them again!).
    xoxo and hope you’re feeling better, Corey! Debi @ Ormolulu

    Reply
  15. g

    did not live by a cemetery, but generally find them peaceful places. i am a practicing catholic-although not educated in the catholic school system until highschool-i simply could not imagine my life without my relationship with THE FATHER made possible through HIS SON- by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT! i pray throughout the day both formally and in regular conversation. there are many saints i find very interesting and really enjoy learning about them but some are way more personal-St. Joseph since high school -St. Thersa of the Child Jesus since after college-St Ann-Mary’s mom- after my mom’s death St Andre Bessett(just canonized last oct.) St. Francis for his love of GOD’s universe in all form-St. Anselm, St. Bernardo and recently St. Ansgar all for their love and devotion to the FATHER manifested in their love care and repect for animals and ST. Anthony for the always faithful help he provides in intercession. I pray for these saints and others (the list would be long) to pray to the FATHER on my behalf-i ask the saints to pray for me before the FATHER saints do not answer prayers they only intercede for us….i am extremely interested in other religions often there are more similarities than differences.

    Reply
  16. Catherine

    I was raised a Baptist, spent most of my adult life in a Methodist church and converted to the Catholic faith 3 1/2 years ago. My patron saint is St. Veronica, and I often seek the intercession of St. Pio and our Blessed Mother. I collect vintage and antique religious medals, and art, so I greatly enjoy looking through your pictures. I have a growing interest in icons, have you photographed any of them in the cathedrals of France?
    Regarding your wrist, if you do the exercises at home as well as with the torture kings/queens of physical therapy, you will heal quickly. I had surgery on my left wrist and my right hand, so I understand your pain and aggravation. I shall ask St. Luke to pray for you. God Bless.

    Reply
  17. denise

    i appreciated this blog especially as i am also catholic and very proud of my upbringing. i can relate to every thing you mentioned. catholic grade and high school me. mass every day except sat. the roseary and i mother says every day. (not me) i love all the old stories with children,like Fatima and lourdes. as kids we used to make up altars in vacant cupboards. and then come and visit. i have 2 sisters that are nuns,had a cousin,2aunts and one cousin priest. as a girl, various people would ask me if i was going to be a nun when i grew up? my answer was instantly told,”nO” i for sure did not want that. i am very proud of my sisters. they good women and i appreciate all their art work. they are both artists, the one paints icons for churches with the ancient method and the other one is also an artist doing painting for books, cards murals. i just had to brag a bit. they are much human and enjoy many of the things we all love, even some wine. and this baby sister likes her wine. i knew this would get lengthy,but had to do it. thanks for all the grand photos. Bestest,Denise

    Reply
  18. Elaine L.

    Corey, I believe as you do. I don’t think of any faith as being right or wrong, but just as a way that different cultures explore God.
    I believe that everyone’s relationship to God is personal.
    I am drawn to Catholic religious artifacts, although I wasn’t raised Catholic. I love to collect crosses, but not with the crucifix.
    ~elaine~

    Reply
  19. Monica

    Patti how wonderful is your testimony. Your faith is strong and it shows. May God bless and keep you in Christ Jesus. You expressed my thoughts better than I could ever.

    Reply
  20. Judith

    In my knitting group there is a woman who likes to go to antique shops and apparently her brother does too. She gave me 2 antique medals one of St. Jude the other of St. Peter. Her brother didn’t buy them for himself he bought them to give away, he was looking for a Jude and a Peter to give them to. As fate would have it those are my childrens names and the medals were given to me for safekeeping for my Jude and Peter.
    I am Catholic and I’m not sure if this is doctrine or not, but I believe that faith is an incredible act of bravery. I try to be brave everyday and believe in God especially when my senses try to convince me otherwise. That is when I find myself praying even more. My favorite saints are St. Teresa of Avila (she was incredibly brave) she dared to make changes where she saw they needed to be made; St. Joseph because I asked him to intercede and ask God to bless me with a good husband and he did; and St. Mary that I would be blessed with children and I was.
    I am very blessed.

    Reply
  21. patty g

    Thich Nat Hahn, the Dalai Lama. Many Vispassana monks, nuns, and teachers. Ordinary people with open hearts and no agenda.

    Reply
  22. Nancy W

    Corey
    There are 2 of your stories that I would love to hear more about. 1: I believe it was your godmother who did this but I could be wrong. She was watching a house that was unoccupied but still held all the family possessions. Finally she was able to buy the entire household of objects and she invited you to photograph the interior of the house. I remember one photo of a chest of drawers that appeared to be holding quilts. Did you ever photograph that house interior? And 2: You mentioned a woman that you often saw at the same brocante you were attending and I think you (laughingly) commented that she always got the good stuff. One day you asked if you could photograph her home and she said yes. You published a few photos. She had a very colorful house…somewhat Moorish and had many tiles etc. Do you have more photos of that house? Thanks. Nancy W

    Reply
  23. Nicolette

    OMG,how I remember those days in church. I remember as if it was yesterday. Yes, your family sat up front on the left. And getting their so,so early. I and my grandmother, Anna, sat two pews in front of your grandmother Amaro on the right. Anna would tap your grandmother on the shoulder every time. I never understood why we never sat with her. Always two pews in front. Every family had their spot. I always wonder what would happen if you were a new family to the church,heaven forbid you sat in some families area.

    Reply
  24. carol

    This is such a beautiful post, Corey. I too, believe that God lives in everyone and everything and that God is love. I am United Methodist and have always been. Religious artifacts are beautiful to me.
    As a young child, I grew up next to cotton fields on one side, woods on the other, and a lovely small mountain across the cotton field. I still love the smell of cotton bolls. In fifth grade we moved, and lived near a train track. I love the sound of the train whistle, even though it seems melancholy at times. My parents still live in the same small town and they live right next to the cemetary and close enough to hear the train whistle.
    Thank you for this post. I hope you are feeling better.
    xo
    carol

    Reply
  25. Teri McClure

    What a beautiful post Corey—I hope your wrist is feeling much better. We thought of you at RT

    Reply
  26. alena

    Wow, so beautiful.

    Reply
  27. Jacqueline

    I love this entry. I really feel closest to God when I’m in a cathedral in France, Spain or Italy. I love
    the windows, the statues, the candles and especially the perfume of the inscense that is used over and over.
    My church is 175 years old and almost has the same feeling. It’s a beautiful church.
    Thanks for the entry

    Reply
  28. Irina

    Beautiful post with enchanted images.

    Reply
  29. Denise Moulun-Pasek

    Love this post and your touching words.
    I have another theme for you: chandeliers and sconces and fixtures… crystals and light

    Reply
  30. Cara

    Beautiful post, Corey. One of my favorite thoughts is the quote from Desiderius Erasmus, “Bidden or unbidden, God is present.” It keeps me aware, and seeking His presence in daily life.

    Reply
  31. KAMFreeman

    Corey…I see over and over again in your writing and your photos something I particularly admire in you; when you look at anything you “look beneath the surface for beauty and usefulness” and that, to me would be a wonderful theme not only for the pictures and words but because wrapped in that is a message so important for each of us.
    Offered from my heart…Kristin McNamara Freeman

    Reply
  32. Donna Becker

    Corey, I have been “following” your site for several years now and I love it. I have never responded before, but you growing up next to a cemetery struck me. I grew up in Berrien Springs, MI and our back yard was up against Al Capone’s estate (one of several he had surround Chicago). Our neighborhood played “Chicago police” on the take, versus “Capone’s mafia” more on the take! He could leave by boat or land and there were tunnels and phones in weird places. M. Ali lives there now. YES, I believe in angels, but NO – I was not allowed to say “Oh my God” unless praying! I love your post, and I have a french country house now in CA and love anything and everything French!

    Reply

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