Ordination and religious profession gifts

When a man is ordained deacon or priest, or a man or woman makes first or final vows in a religious order, family and parish want to mark it. But the usual presents do not fit. A priest may move parish every few years; a religious may own very little by choice. What they will keep is something that helps them pray.

A statue does that. It can go on the desk in a presbytery study, in a small community oratory, or in a cell. For a newly ordained priest, it is often the first devotional object in his first parish house. For a religious making final vows, it may be one of a handful of personal things they take from house to house.

Parishes often club together to give their own vocation a gift. A statue in marble, chosen by the people who prayed for him or her, is a gift that will be remembered.

Ask about space. A priest’s presbytery may have room for a large statue; a religious sister’s room may have a single shelf. If you can, find out quietly where it will go. If the gift is really for a community oratory or chapel, the superior may welcome a word beforehand.

Think about moves. Resin is lighter and easier to take from one appointment to the next. Marble is more permanent and suits a parish house, a community or a family that wants to give an heirloom.

If the order’s founder or patron is not in our catalogue, marble can be carved to order. Allow plenty of time before the date, and ask us for a quote first — see custom statues. For larger pieces for a church or chapel, our page on statues for religious communities may help.