Have you ever been tasked with buying a gift for your priest from the parish women’s club you belong to? Perhaps it’s an anniversary of ordination or some other special event your pastor is celebrating and try as you might, you just can’t imagine what Father would like or even have use for.
If this task has fallen upon you this year and you’re feeling a little lost, then worry not, your prayers have been answered; here are some thoughts on what would make the ideal gift for clergy.
Framed Religious Artwork
While there are many religions that don’t agree with religious statues or art of any kind, many of the more Orthodox, Episcopal or Catholic faiths hold religious art in high esteem. They serve as reminders of the faith to which we hold fast, and many have personal significance.
As the experts at Holyart suggest, you should consider whether Father has a patron saint or a biblical scene of importance to him. Alternatively, they suggest that there are five key sacred objects that we should all have in our home; a crucifix, a religious picture, a sacred icon, a statue of the Virgin Mary, and The Sleeping Saint Joseph.
If you’re really stuck for a gift for clergy, then you can’t go wrong with a framed religious artwork featuring any of this imagery.
Read: Display Your Faith With These Home Decor Pieces
Hand-Embroidered Stole
A priest’s vestments consist of several traditional items with the stole perhaps being the most visible and, often, machine embroidered. If any of the ladies in your women’s guild are professional or hobbyist seamstresses also talented in needlework, perhaps a hand-embroidered stole would be the ideal gift.
Whether you purchase a ‘blank’ stole to be embroidered or have one handcrafted by the ladies in your group, this is something any priest would treasure and wear often when saying Mass.
Sports Related Items
What priest do you know that doesn’t like a bit of golf with his fellow clergymen from time to time? Some are even members of a local golf club, and who can resent them enjoying a bit of downtime?
Then again, with football being the most popular sport on earth, perhaps a ticket to a game would do nicely. Anything related to the sport your pastor is fond of would be an ideal gift, especially if he is a devoted fan, though perhaps it’s sensible to first check, as some folk simply don’t find sport enthralling at all.
Chalice, Paten and Ciborium Set
Even though priests say daily Mass at the parish, either in the church or chapel, they also celebrate liturgies outside the church as well. Sometimes priests celebrate home Masses for special celebrations hosted by parishioners and other times he will say Mass at a nursing home for those unable to attend Mass at church. A handmade wood or metal chalice, paten and ciborium set would make a lovely gift Father would be proud of.
Relics
These are often hard to come by but can often be found when visiting the Holy Land or Rome. Relics are tiny scraps of materials or even bone fragments said to be from an important saint of earlier eras. If you are seeking a relic for Father, do take the time to authenticate it. Unfortunately, even in matters of faith you will find fraud and that’s not something you’d want to give Father for an ideal gift celebrating an important event in his life.Good luck and we hope you choose a great gift!
