If priest noted no stipend for blessing, is it also wrong to give small printed poster as thank you?

[joyfulink]

Hello everyone,

What is appropriate in this situation, please?

My local clergy (non-Benedictine) was unaware of the specific blessing for St. Benedict medals - and ensuing discussions left me quite confused.

Found an amazing Benedictine priest who knows exactly the significance of the authentic blessing - and his understanding lifted what felt like a weight off my shoulders! (I can’t tell you how much!)

I’m going to be mailing my medals to him and a return paid envelope for sending back.

Here’s my question:
Father specifically instructed to NOT send any stipend. He said that Benedictines are never to receive stipends for blessing of St. Benedict medals. So would it be appropriate at all to send a small 8x10 printed word art poster with a scripture on it as a thank you? Or would that seem like I was paying for the blessing? I don’t want to mess things up - so I thought I would ask among you all.

Help?

Blessings,
Lynn

PS: Is there any particular scripture that the Benedictine’s might particularly like? (I sure wish we had Benedictines in my location! They seem like a amazing bunch - so down to earth and real - very salty!)

 

[SyroMalankara]

I think its a wonderful thought, but why not just write him a personal thank you note and offer to pray for him and his ministry daily, A scripture card is nice but a priest probably has lots of things such as these- I assume

 

[joyfulink]

Thank you. What a nice idea about the hand written note in a card. Actually, I think I’ll convert my poster idea to a card - and in the card do as you suggested. Takes up less space for him that way too. Even Pope Francis asks us all to pray for him. So yes, I will gladly pray for this kind priest, his Abbey, and their ministry.

Now I just need a scripture for the front of the card.

 

[pianistclare]

What’s wrong with a simple THANK YOU???

Don’t over think this. This is exactly what this poor priest is trying to say to you.
Accept the blessing.

 

[joyfulink]

Understood.

 

[pianistclare]

Understood.

Nothing to be embarrassed about. But honestly, working for priests over the years, most of what they receive (unless it reflects some kind of collection they may have) gets re-gifted to their staff or others. Your heartfelt thank you note means far more to them.
Priests say oodles of Masses for everyone else…but how many know for certainty that people pray for THEM? It means a lot to them. God bless you and welcome to the fora.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

He told you not to send any money for his blessing the medal. However, his religious order almost certainly accepts donations and you can also write to his superiors telling them what a help that he was to you.

 

[joyfulink]

pianistclare, I thought your first message took into consideration that I had amended my plans based on the suggestions of SyroMalankara to use a card with a handwritten note. I grasp now that you were speaking of my first plan in your first post. I was fairly hurt by your first message. This issue is very important to me.

PaulfromIowa, my thanks. Wonderful thoughts. I like that very much.