Talk:Prayer shawl

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Similar to prayer cloths?[edit]

Is this concept similar to the Pentecostal practice of praying over and anointing with oil "prayer cloths"? The Pentecostal practice is based on Acts 19:11-12 where miracles occurred when the sick were given cloth that had contact with Paul's body. In Pentecostal churches, small and simple cloth is used and given to those who are sick or who are just in need of prayer. I've seen prayer cloths given to soldiers deployed overseas, and my parents even pinned them inside my pillow covers when I was a child. Just wondering if this was a similar concept? Ltwin (talk) 04:04, 1 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I question the veracity of this entire article. It was written completely by an anon editor with rather meager citations, and as a Roman Catholic, I have never heard of any such practice. The only "prayer shawl" I have ever heard of is a tallit, and apologists on Catholic answers have advised against the use of the tallit by Catholics. I think this article should again be redirected to tallit because it appears to have no basis in fact. Elizium23 (talk) 04:25, 1 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I agree with Elizium on this-the website seems to refer to a fringe feminist group, with nothing in common with Catholicism. This practice is not orthodox Roman Catholic.--Lyricmac (talk) 02:44, 3 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for feedback. I looked at those sources wasn't so sure how correct this article was. I've also heard of prayer shawls in the sense of the tallit. In fact, some Pentecostals are actually beginning to place tallits in their churches so that they can be draped over those seeking prayer. I was just curious since Prayer cloth is currently a redirect to Pentecostalism#Divine healing and I thought that if they were similar concepts then prayer cloths could just be mentioned on this article. Anyway thanks for responding! Ltwin (talk) 04:38, 1 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Without commenting on where the actual articles should or should not be, it would appear that Catholic Prayer Shawls, where they exist, are "sacramentals", like rosaries. The Pentacostal use of prayer cloths would appear (to a Catholic) to be something more, like a sacrament, quite different that a sacramental, which is "just a sign." And therefore the two should not be in the same article. Student7 (talk) 12:28, 3 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Well to be clear, Pentecostals prayer cloths are just signs. It is understood that there is no power in the cloth itself. It is just an "act of faith" that places one's attention on God. Though I suppose it could be viewed as similar to a sacrament since there is in a sense a sign of God's grace. Pentecostals would not consider it an ordinance, however, since it was not instituted by Christ. Ltwin (talk) 14:16, 3 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Catholic practice[edit]

There are a billion Catholics. Some do a lot of different things. As it turns out, a relative has a prayer shawl. It was knitted for her when she was ill. The knitters prayed for her as they knitted it. For her, it is an indication of their love and concern and undoubtedly makes her feel like praying for the givers when she dons it.

It is definitely not part of anything formal, just "local practice." There will be half a billion Catholics (or more) who never heard of it!

Notice that there can be a commercial variant on this: a knitter prays for "whoever" buys the article. I realize this may seem crass to some people, but it may be practice as well. Student7 (talk) 19:48, 5 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]