I have a three part medal my grandmother gave me. It has a rose on the front and back and opens in 3 parts. There is an engraving of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on one side, Mary and baby Jesus on the other, the center medal has What seems to me to be Joseph and Baby Jesus, and another engraving on the 3rd part of the medal shows a man kneeling with a staff with the word "DEPOSE" above.

Any Ideas what this last part is about? I believe it has something to do with testifying.

TIA

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), October 21, 2004

Answers

Bump

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), October 21, 2004.

"Depose" is the name of the manufacturer of the medal. It is (or was) a French company.

I wouldn't guess at the identity of the man with the staff without seeing what he looks like. If dressed as the Gospel describes, it may be St. John the Baptist. If with a long robe, though, perhaps Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

-- Gramps (Helping@Jim.com), October 22, 2004.

Hi Gramps,

Thanks for the help. I searched google all over and found nothing.

Gave the medal to my mother today, (my grandmother's mother.)

When I got measles (43 years ago) and couldn't go on "Romper Room" a local Baltimore kids show. She gave it to me and told me to pray for my health. She said it was blessed and would help me with what ails me and pinned it to my bed sheet. I always thought it helped. I pulled it out for the Asian and Hong Kong flu and various other kid illnesses. Got better faster than my cronies!

My mother is in a bit of medical trouble these days so I thought she should have it. I was afraid she'd ask me about "depose." She didn't--- but now I'm prepared.

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), October 22, 2004.

Pleases unederstsand, I don't beleave medals can heal. I just realised that my post might be misnterprareted, I don't believe that my grandmother's medels cured me or could possibly cure my mother. This was a kid thing which for the life of me til now I thoutht was harmess. I still can't see it any other way.

THose who do --- Give me a call/

-- j (furst@flash.net), October 23, 2004.

jim,

you are correct, medals cannot heal. HOWEVER, the saints and grace of God which are portrayed in these medals is a powerful thing. having some medals which are blessed can denote special grace (such as the wearing of a brown scapular). others are just great reminders of the saints and God to whom we pray. it was not wrong to give the medal to your mother, nor to pray to those saints in your time of need... that is what they are there for, after all.

-- paul h (dontSendMeMail@notAnAddress.com), October 23, 2004.

Thanks paul,

And I agree. I was always taught medals and other religious items helped us focus. Gave our physical bodies something to hold onto while we make our spiritual quest.

Over the years reading the cyber boards, some start shouting "idolatry" and other complaints about "Romanism" if you know what I mean.

JUst felt the need to nip the bud before someone started with "Catholics" worshiping saints and using a medal like it was some kind of voodoo.

THese were just comforting things that I find no harm in and believe can be of help in keeping our attention on track. My mother was happy and touched to see it again and that was good.

Some don't need them, some find them helpful, and I'm sure some out there find somthing intrinsically wrong with such items. For those that do, I think they have a bit of "too much time on their hands."

P.S. I have also noted that noone has complained so maybe my paranoia is showing.

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), October 24, 2004.